New Fund to Promote Highlands Food & Drink

The Scottish government has announced additional funding for a series of events to mark the year-long celebration of Scotland's Food and Drink.

It said the £25,000 would help encourage greater use of local produce.

Events to receive funding include September’s Blas Festival and the Royal National Mòd in October.

Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship 2010 will also receive funding.

The announcement was made in Dornoch by The First Minister Alex Salmond who said showcasing local produce was “important” to Scotland’s economy.

Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, which started in May, aims to build on the success of Homecoming Scotland 2009. It is the first in a series of focus years highlighting some of Scotland's assets.

“The Year of Food and Drink is a fitting opportunity to celebrate the work of our wonderful local food and drink producers,” Alex Salmond said. “The events in the Highlands that have been chosen to receive funding can help enhance Scotland's reputation as a land of food and drink.

“The food and drink sector is key to our economic recovery,” he added. “Visitors to Scotland spend one pound in every five on food and drink-related activity and we produce some of the finest produce in the world. As one of Scotland's most distinct attributes, food and drink has played, and continues to play, a strong role in shaping our cultural identity and heritage.

“We have a busy program on the horizon to keep up momentum and help the industry-led Scotland Food & Drink meet its target of growing the value of the sector to £12.5 billion by 2017.”

SOURCE: The Scottish Government

Edited by Chris Farnell