A Soor ploom (Scots for "sour plum") is a sharp-flavoured, round, green boiled sweet 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.[1][2]
A "childhood favourite,"[3] they are pale green and "slightly acid in flavour".[2] They have been featured in Oor Wullie and The Broons cartoons.
"Soor Plooms" is the motto of the town Galashiels.[4]
There is a Border pipe tune from 1700 called "Soor Plooms of Galashiels".[5]
