This morning, Scotland Food & Drink attended a speech in Glasgow by First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. Iain Baxter, CEO of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister this morning laid out their vision for Scotland’s economic future and the key principles that will underpin it. We are pleased to see their renewed commitment to economic growth and the vital role our food and drink businesses will play. As Scotland’s largest manufacturing sector, it plays a critical role in many rural and coastal communities. “Ms Forbes artic ..read more

Elements of Islay, the award-winning independent bottler, is launching an exclusive blend for Fèis Ìle 2024. Fireside is a limited-release blended malt from two characterful Islay distilleries, with 264 bottles of Fireside (Fèis Edition) exclusively available at Fèis Ìle (24th May – 1st June) and an ensuing global release. Description automatically generated For this whisky, Elixir Distillers’ Head Blender Oliver Chilton took inspiration from the unpredictable elements of the island, and the image of enjoying a smoky dram with friends by the fire during an Islay downpour. This blended malt bri ..read more

Nine on-farm events designed to spark discussion and peer-to-peer learning on future proofing farming businesses, financially, practically, and environmentally, will take place across Scotland this summer. The meetings have been arranged by the Monitor Farm Scotland team for farmers and crofters to meet and to hear a combination of both farmers and expert speakers discuss a range of farm business and environmental improvement subjects, with alongside practical demonstrations. The free to attend meets will take place on each of the nine Monitor Farms and will be followed by local food and refre ..read more

Accepted amendments to the new agriculture bill will be beneficial in achieving food production, carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement side-by-side from Scotland’s land – although room for improvement still exists ahead of the bill’s final stage. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, made the comments after several of its suggested amendments to the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill were accepted at Stage 2 in the Scottish Parliament, with proceedings in the Rural Affairs Committee now complete. Several amendments which SLE pressed for and su ..read more

SIX decades after Stewart Laing first learned how to make whisky on Islay, he and his sons Andrew and Scott are celebrating a lifelong family dream come true with the release of the first whisky from Ardnahoe, the distillery they built on the world-famous whisky island. Released on 10th May, Ardnahoe Inaugural Release (£70) is a limited edition 5-year-old Islay single malt Scotch whisky shaped by three generations of the Glasgow-based Laing family since the 1940s, when Stewart’s father began working in the industry. Stewart travelled to Islay in the 1960s to learn the ropes ..read more

HAVING already worked in not one, but two, Michelin Star restaurants, Sagar will bring his unique style of blending the lively spices of his heritage with contemporary Scottish fine dining to the Kirkhouse Inn. Multi-award winning chef Sagar will launch his new dining concept – whose interiors have been designed by celebrity interior designer John Amabile – with a bespoke menu that has been carefully curated to showcase the very best in fine dining. Located just outside Glasgow, the restaurant will bring world-class food to the charming, historical surrounds of the Kirkhouse Inn. Sagar Massey ..read more

SARAH Millar, the chief executive of QMS, has been crowned the Trade Organisation Woman of the Year at the inaugural National Women in Agriculture Awards at the House of Commons on 9 May. The prestigious accolade recognises her exceptional contributions to the farming sector. The National Women in Agriculture Awards aim to support and empower women in farming, as well as seeking to celebrate the achievements of women who are making significant strides in the traditionally male-dominated industry. The awards ceremony, held in the esteemed members’ dining room of the House of Commons, served as ..read more

A NEW range of lunch-box sized dog food aimed at making days out with pets easier has been launched by the company behind three dog-friendly caravan and campsites.  The handy bowls of kibble, which are designed to fit into a rucksack or bag, have proved a hit with pet owners staying at WCF’s five-star camping and glamping sites. Dog owners staying at Longnor Wood in the Peak District, Herding Hill Farm in Northumberland, and Drummohr, near Edinburgh, have been delighted to stock up on the perfectly portioned pet food so they can enjoy days out with their pets. Almost 5,000 dogs have staye ..read more

NATIONAL Doughnut Week is nearly upon us and Brits love affair with jam doughnuts continues as it’s been voted No 1. doughnut favourite in the UK. According to a recent survey[1], carried out by the organisers of National Doughnut Week, the classic filled doughnut reigns supreme above all doughnuts with 40% of the vote. Whether they are purchased at local bakers, cafes, fun fairs or on days out, jam doughnuts are the overwhelming favourites. The rest of the poll was a close run result with Iced doughnuts in second with 16% of the vote, followed by custard with 15%. A new addition to the result ..read more

Hospitality vacancies reportedly remain above pre-pandemic levels, with little positive movement in five months. There were 107,000 vacancies in hospitality in the quarter to April 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. This is 15% higher than pre-pandemic levels of 93,000. Wages paid in the sector increased by 9.5% in March 2024, driven in part by ongoing wage inflation, the sector’s focus on recruitment and retention, and some businesses implementing April wage increases early. Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “These figures demonstrate a labour market t ..read more