How homesickness led influencer Alana to launch Goldies in Malaysia

SHAH ALAM – There is something undeniably comforting about sweets that remind you of home, that nostalgic taste that takes you back to childhood.

For social media influencer Alana Dunsmore, that taste comes wrapped in golden caramel, in the form of Goldies, a Scottish milk candy with a crunchy-yet-melt-in-your-mouth texture that is now winning hearts across Malaysia.

Goldies having a texture unlike any other, slightly crunchy at first, then soft enough to melt in the mouth, releasing its creamy caramel milk flavour.

Born out of homesickness and creativity, Goldies is the product of love, faith and a craving for the familiar.

Together with her husband, local actor Abbas Mahmood, Alana decided to recreate a beloved Scottish treat that she missed dearly, and Malaysians are loving it too.

“So, I told my husband, 'I'm really missing this special sweet, the Scottish sweet that is just not available here,' and he said, 'Okay, well, let's just make it.'

“I thought, 'Oh my gosh, that's such a good idea.' “So, we just decided to make it and that's where Goldies began. This is a very sweet Scottish sweet, but us Scots love it, and alhamdulillah, so do Malaysians,” she shared during a recent interview with Sinar Daily.

For Alana, the project is more than just a business venture; it’s a connection between her two worlds.

“Well, my love of the sweet is obviously a huge part of that. This sweet, honestly, it's a very unique flavour and unique texture,” she added.

Alana described Goldies as having a texture unlike any other, slightly crunchy at first, then soft enough to melt in the mouth, releasing its creamy caramel milk flavour.

She believes that this distinctive taste will resonate with Malaysians and both she and her husband continue to pray for the brand’s success.

Seeing the excitement from fellow Scots who recognise the sweet, alongside the warm reception from Malaysians discovering it for the first time, has become a constant source of motivation for them.

Originally, Goldies existed in only one flavour back in Scotland. But after receiving enthusiastic suggestions from Malaysian customers, Alana began to see the potential for new variations.

Embracing the local spirit of creativity, she and her husband are now experimenting with different flavours, with plans to introduce them soon.

“So stay tuned. Inshallah, we will have a range of flavours coming out, maybe by Ramadan,” she said.

Each piece of Goldies is crafted with real Malaysian sugar, giving it an unmistakably rich, creamy sweetness.

Alana highlighted the treat as delightfully indulgent, not an everyday snack, but one meant to be savoured on special occasions.

She embraces its “too sweet” nature as part of its charm, explaining that its sweetness is what makes it truly authentic to its Scottish origins.

“It’s not something for everyday snacking or for those on a diet, it’s a proper indulgent treat. Back in Scotland, people usually enjoy it during Christmas, New Year, or other special occasions. So, it’s best to savour it slowly rather than finishing the whole bag at once,” she said.

She added that Goldies can be enjoyed in many ways: as a small treat during work, paired with a cup of hot tea, or even stirred into coffee to create a creamy, teh tarik-like drink thanks to its natural milk and sweetness.

Goldies are restocked weekly, much to the excitement of fans who eagerly tune in to their TikTok Live sessions every Monday at 10pm on (@goldiesmy).

The couple only sells the treats during these live sessions, adding a sense of exclusivity that keeps loyal customers coming back week after week.

“If you try to search Goldies Tuesday through Sunday, you're not even going to find it on TikTok. So, see you guys there,” she said.

From Scotland to Malaysia, Alana’s Sweet Journey

Known online as @alanaspinktravels, Alana is a Scottish content creator with a following that’s fast approaching 200,000 across Instagram and YouTube.

Social media influencer Alana Dunsmore together with her husband, local actor Abbas Mahmood decided to recreate a beloved Scottish treat called Goldies.

Her story, from studying in Malaysia to embracing Islam and marrying Abbas, has captured the hearts of many Malaysians.

Beyond her sweet venture, Alana continues to share snippets of her life, from her love of desserts and pink hues to her journey wearing the hijab and immersing in Malaysian culture.

“When I decided to start wearing the hijab, there was just no going back for me. Like I just felt like I'm wearing this like a safety blanket on my head. But for the sake of Allah, alhamdulillah, I just really enjoyed wearing my hijab and honestly, now I just can't imagine my life without it,” she said.

From her new life in Malaysia to her growing business, Alana’s story is a mix of faith, creativity, and nostalgia, all wrapped up in a bite of caramel sweetness called Goldies.

If you are curious about Scottish cuisine, Goldies is the perfect place to start. Grab a pack and experience its rich, caramel sweetness for yourself.