Orkney food and drink firms to fly the flag for islands at Royal Highland Show

Nine Orkney food and drink businesses will be flying the flag for the islands at this week’s Royal Highland Show.

The local firms will exhibit their produce on special Orkney stands as part of the show’s Scotland’s Larder Live feature, within the Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh.

Over 190,000 people are expected to attend the show — the 178th staged — between June 21 and 24.

The Orkney presence at the event is being supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council.

Edgar Balfour, project manager for Orkney food, drink and crafts, said: “The Royal Highland Show has long been the premier agricultural event in Scotland and it continues to grow in terms of the number of visitors and exhibitors it attracts. That simply makes it a must-attend event for Orkney’s premium food and drink firms, giving them the chance to showcase their products to a very wide audience of potential customers. It’s a very busy few days for our producers, but always worth the effort and it also gives us an opportunity to tell the wider story about Orkney and all its other attractions.”

Amongst the Orkney businesses travelling to the show will be newcomers, J. Gow Rum, makers of the county’s first locally produced rum.

Collin van Schayk of rum producers, VS Distillers, said: “We’re very much looking forward to introducing J. Gow Rum to the visitors at this year’s Royal Highland Show. The reception it’s had since its launch late last year has been fantastic, so we’re really excited about bringing it to a much wider audience, and sharing our story.

“One of the strengths of Orkney’s approach to marketing food and drink is the fact local businesses present a united front at these major events. We all share the same vision in terms of upholding Orkney’s reputation as a quality food and drink location and we’re all very proud to be representing the islands on the national stage.”