From Scotland’s tallest lighthouse to a hotel near Peterhead, a new food and drink initiative has taken the country by gastronomical storm during 2015.
VisitScotland is celebrating the 1000th awardee of the Taste Our Best accreditation scheme, a quality assurance initiative that recognises eateries that provide and promote quality Scottish produce.
In Aberdeenshire, the number of Taste Our Best accredited businesses has increased by more than half in the past 12 months – from 40 in January to 65 in December – while the Highlands has seen scheme members increase from 132 to 216.
Buchan Braes Hotel, located in the village of Boddam, is the most easterly recipient.
Launched in September 2013, Taste Our Best is a joint initiative between the national tourism organisation and the Scottish Government. Assessors rate the overall eating experience, the extent to which Scottish produce (at least 40%) is used and promoted, and staff knowledge of the produce on the menu and its provenance.
Food and drink is a key part of the visitor economy and generates more than £2.5 million per day through tourism, with research finding that two thirds of Scotland’s visitors think quality food is an important factor when deciding to go on holiday.
In the past year, the number of visitor attractions achieving the accreditation has risen by 88% from 85 in January to 160 in December. The number of small serviced accommodation providers, like B&B’s and Guest Houses, awarded Taste Our Best has also seen a substantial rise, from 302 to 561.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Scotland can be proud of its natural larder and the Taste Our Best scheme recognises that. Not only does it indicate to visitors that the establishment believes in quality but it also shows they are committed to promoting local produce and giving customers a true taste of Scotland.
“From restaurants to Scotland’s built heritage, chippies to ferries, Taste Our Best is open to any business with a food and drink offering. With research finding that three out of four visitors think eating local cuisine will enhance their visit, Taste Our Best really is a recipe for success.”
The Royal Exchange Coffee House, part of The Real Mary King’s Close visitor attraction in Edinburgh, was named the 1000th scheme member by Richard Lochhead, Scottish Food Secretary.
Scotland’s Food Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The Year of Food and Drink has thrown the spotlight onto our fantastic natural larder and has offered us countless opportunities to celebrate and promote it to the world. The turnover value of the sector now stands at £14.3 billion, with our manufacturing growth rate double that of the UK average. The statistics speak for themselves – more and more people are selling our food in greater numbers than ever before, and I want to see that continue in 2016 and beyond.”
Highlights of the 1000 Taste Our Best accredited business are:
- The world’s narrowest hotel: The Famous Star Hotel in Moffat dates from the late 1700s and, at only 20ft wide and 162ft long, has been named the World’s Narrowest Hotel by the Guinness Book of Records.
- The most westerly: The Old Shop House is a family-run B&B and, located on the beautiful Hebridean island of North Uist.
- The most northerly: Frankie’s Fish and Chips on the shores of Busta Voe, Shetland was voted the UK’s no.1 Fish & Chip Shop in the National Fish & Chip Awards 2015.
- The tallest land-based lighthouse in the UK: The Lighthouse Visitor Centre on North Ronaldsay is also the oldest intact lighthouse in Scotland.
- The most southerly: East Muntloch Croft B&B, Mull of Galloway.
- The most easterly: Buchan Braes Hotel, located in the village of Boddam, just 5 minutes’ drive from
- The most northerly inhabited castle in the UK: The Castle and Gardens of Mey, which was renovated and restored by The Queen Mother.
- The one with the most unusual postcode: Scottish Parliament Café at Holyrood.
- The most nautical: Caledonian MacBrayne was the first ferry company to achieve Taste Our Best and has since been joined by NorthLink Ferries.