Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles
available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. A Soor ploom
(Scots for "sour plum") is a sharp flavoured, round, green boiled sweet
(candy) originally associated with Galashiels, Scotland. They are sold
loose by weight in paper bags, traditionally in "quarters" - a quarter
of a pound. They are said to have been first made in 1337 in
commemoration of a skirmish near Galashiels. A raiding party from
England were overwhelmed and killed by local men when discovered eating
unripe plums. A "childhood favourite," they are pale green and "slightly
acid in flavour." They have been featured in Oor Wullie and The Broons
cartoons. "Soor Plooms" is the motto of the town Galashiels. There is a
Border pipe tune from 1700 called "Soor Plooms of Galashiels".
