Press release -
Taste away!
Scotland’s first ever salmon festival, a fayre in honour of the humble bumblebee, and a midnight snack at the Edinburgh Festival, are just some of the enticing events visitors will be able to sink their teeth into later this year.
This morning in Inverness, (Friday 15 May) Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing unveiled the tasty programme, running from June to December, which will continue the Year of Food and Drink festivities.
2015 is a celebration of Scotland’s delicious dining experiences and outstanding local produce, with numerous mouth-watering events taking place across the entire country, including a series supported through a dedicated Year of Food and Drink events fund.
New to the funded-event menu are Fèill – Food Festival (3-4 July), Butefest (16-19 July), Edinburgh Food Festival (29 July -2 Aug), Shetland Reel Music Festival (14-16 Aug), Wilton Lodge Park Bee Fayre (30 Aug) and Scotland’s Salmon Festival (2-5 Sept).
A number of existing or established events will welcome an additional edible element in celebration of the Year of Food and Drink including: The Royal Highland Show (18-21 June), the Turriff Show (2-3 Aug), Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (6-8 Aug), Scotland’s Boat Show (9-11 Oct) and Dundee Science Festival (31 Oct-15 Nov).
Designed to help enhance Scotland’s culinary reputation and increase awareness of the country’s rich natural larder, the Year of Food and Drink is led by VisitScotland, with support from Scotland Food & Drink, on behalf of the Scottish Government.
It is estimated that Scotland’s food and drink tourism industry is worth an estimated £1700 per minute to the economy. Events provide the perfect opportunity for Scots and visitors to Scotland to experience the nation’s renowned local produce in the country where it was made.
Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “The Year of Food and Drink 2015 has already excited and surprised visitors and locals with many fantastic events showcasing the best of Scotland’s produce. This diverse new programme of mouth-watering events, many of which have been created especially for 2015, will give even more people the chance to enjoy our fabulous produce and help boost the phenomenal success of our world-renowned food and drink sector.”
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Since it started in January, the Year of Food and Drink 2015 has tempted thousands of locals and visitors alike to sample Scotland’s culinary offering, which is fantastic news for the country’s thriving tourism industry. As well as supporting the funded programme, we are also working with a number of events across the country through our Partner Programme to ensure that there are plenty of mouth-watering ways in which people can get involved in this exciting year.
“2015 is the year we use strengths and assets, like our rich natural larder, to take Scotland to the world.”
On behalf of Scotland’s Salmon Festival, Dr Melanie Smith, head of research and postgraduate development at Inverness College UHI, said: “We’re delighted to have secured funding support from Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015, creating an excellent opportunity for Scotland’s Salmon Festival to work alongside fellow recipients throughout the country to promote the food and drink we’re so proud of producing.
“Organised by Inverness College UHI and representatives from the Scottish salmon industry, September’s festival will explore and celebrate the story of the iconic Atlantic salmon in Scotland. The programme is set to include an International Symposium, a casting competition and a fair, offering a unique occasion for everyone from academics and fishing fanatics to families and foodies to celebrate Scottish salmon together.”
Scotland Food & Drink Project Manager Fiona Richmond commented: “It is great to see the announcement of further funding for events taking place as part of the Year of Food and Drink programme. This represents invaluable support, helping events to improve their food and drink offering. The Year promotes the fantastic natural larder and talented producers that make Scotland a Land of Food and Drink while building on the tremendous success of our industry and momentum generated by Homecoming Scotland in 2014. What greater opportunity to serve an excellent local food and drink offering to visitors and Scottish residents alike.”
All funded events will now go through a workshop to help develop their Scottish and local food and drink offering and enhance the visitor experience.
A total of £272,825 has now been dedicated to events funded as part of the Year of Food and Drink. The event fund is administered by VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. The Community Food Fund, which is managed by Think Local on behalf of the Scottish Government, has contributed £150K towards the overall fund for 2015.
For a full list of events held during the Year of Food and Drink 2015 visit:
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- year of food and drink
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, the tourism economy supports 270,000 jobs in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the tourism economy contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
Year of Food and Drink 2015
- 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink, a celebration of Scotland’s natural larder and the role that food and drink plays in shaping our economic success.
- Scotland generates over £2.5m per day through food and drink tourism.
- A series of themed months will create an appetite for key areas of Scotland’s food and drink industries – from seafood and whisky to berries and high-quality meat
- For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com/tastescotland
