Scotland says grow for it

Freya Compton (seven) of West Linton and Grace Rogers (five) of Bonnyrigg help launch VisitScotland’s Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund at Whitmuir the Organic Place with farm hand Stuart Lee, grower Meg Goodwin and owner Heather Anderson. Picture: Colin Hattersley

VisitScotland announces Food & Drink Growth Fund to add to £12billion industry

A new £100,000 fund to promote Scotland as a land of food and drink has been launched by the national tourism organisation.

VisitScotland is now inviting applications from tourism groups throughout Scotland to apply for a Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund grant of up to £20,000.

Groups of three or more tourism businesses have until Thursday 28 August to apply for a grant during the first round of funding. These grants can be used to support marketing campaigns during the 2015 Year of Food and Drink.

The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund is in addition to the existing VisitScotland Growth Fund, which between 2011 and 2013 awarded over £1 million in match-funding to national, regional and sectoral tourism groups resulting in £2.3m being invested in marketing campaigns, involving more than 2,000 tourism businesses across Scotland.

The new Growth Fund was launched at Whitmuir the Organic Place, near West Linton in Peeblesshire. A four-star VisitScotland Tourist Shop, Whitmuir is part of Farm Stay Scotland, a previous Growth Fund recipient. 

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said "The food and drink industry is worth £12 billion to Scotland’s economy so we really cannot underestimate the importance of supporting groups who are demonstrating enthusiasm and innovation in this area.

"The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund will do exactly that, allowing us to build partnerships across Scotland with those on the frontline to ensure visitors and locals alike get to experience the best of Scotland’s food and drink. I encourage groups to get online and apply for the fund to help them make the most of 2015, the Year of Food and Drink."

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: "The 2015 Year of Food and Drink will provide Scotland with an opportunity to showcase the very best of our food and drink sector, which enjoys an enviable international reputation.

"The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund is yet another element of our drive to boost Scotland’s key tourism, events, and food and drink sectors in 2015.  I would encourage businesses across the country to make the most of the opportunities available to them, and help us enhance our global reputation as a land which produces the finest quality food and drink."

The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund will support groups with up to 50 per cent of approved total marketing costs, from a minimum award of £2,500 up to a maximum award of £20,000.  Funding will be awarded to marketing campaigns that promote the use of quality Scottish produce and aim to increase visitor satisfaction with the Scottish food and drink offering.

Valere Tjolle @ValereTjolle [email protected]