Have you ever wondered where some of Orkney's finest food and drink products are created? Or wanted to meet the talented folk making, baking and brewing all the goodies to be found in the local larder?
If the answers are yes then you're in luck. A brand new trail highlighting the Orkney food and drink businesses offering visitors an insight into how they make their products has been launched.
The Taste of Orkney Food and Drink Trail initially features 10 islands companies providing tours, tastings, or other visitor experiences. It’s hoped more local businesses will become part of the trail as it develops over the coming months.
A trip on the trail will include stops at several award-winning businesses, including local breweries the Orkney Brewery and Swannay Brewery, whisky makers Highland Park and Scapa Distillery, and gin producers Deerness Distillery and Orkney Distilling. Another Orkney distillery, J. Gow Rum is also on the route, along with Orkney Cheese, the Barony Mill and JP Orkney, home of one of the best honesty boxes to be found in the islands.
It's the perfect chance to find out where you can see some of Orkney's finest products being made, taste-test before you buy, and learn how local food and drink companies help promote the Orcadian larder around the world.
Edgar Balfour, project manager for Orkney Food and Drink, said: “For many years now, visitors have been able to follow a Creative Trail in Orkney, linking the workshops of our local artists and artisans. That’s proved hugely popular, so it made sense to create something similar for our fantastic food and drink producers. It’s been more of a challenge in some respects because, by their nature, food and drink producers aren’t always able to fully open up to members of the public. However, those who have joined the trail so far represent a good spread of businesses and we hope more will follow when they’re able to accommodate visits.
“Orkney’s food and drink is famous the world over and a big draw for visitors, so the trail should greatly enhance the experience of anyone seeking a behind the scenes look at the work that goes into creating our remarkable local produce. Our producers also love to meet their customers and share the stories behind their businesses, so they’re very much looking forward to being part of the trail.”
The project has been funded by Scotland Food and Drink’s Regional Food Fund, which offers grants of up to £5,000 to support projects and initiatives promoting the development of food and drink across Scotland. The funding is aligned to the Food Tourism Scotland Action Plan and is part of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Recovery Plan, supported by the Scottish Government.