The best of north Highland's produce showcased at Ackergill

A bountiful selection of the best of the north Highlands food and drink produce, brought together by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Caithness and Sutherland, will be visited today (Tuesday 31 July) by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay.

Producers from throughout Caithness and Sutherland will gather together at Ackergill Tower near Wick to welcome national and local buyers invited to the event.

The Duke is keen advocate of the quality and diversity of food originating from the North Highlands and in 2005 His Royal Highness launched the North Highland Initiative to improve the economy and sustainability of the area by developing a new brand to sell the region’s produce - Mey Selections.

Opening The Taste of Caithness and Sutherland event, William Roe, chair of HIE, said that for far too long the bounty of Caithness and Sutherland produce had been too much of a well-kept secret.

“We believe this Fair will enable those who can be ambassadors for our food producers to spread the message. This is the first event that brings together all that is good about North Highlands produce and we are delighted that The Duke of Rothesay is able to visit and see for himself the quality of the region’s products - a cause which His Royal Highness has continuously supported.”  

Mr Roe said that it was time to promote more vigorously the produce of Caithness and Sutherland which would allow a much wider circle of discerning customers to taste the natural goodness of the North Highlands.

“Agriculture remains one of the main economic drivers in the North of Scotland and Taste of Caithness and Sutherland shows that what is being produced is of the highest quality,” he added.

Over two days at the end of July, the Taste of Caithness and Sutherland will provide a platform for twenty five local producers to exhibit a range of premium local produce ranging from meat to organic eggs, fish to oysters, honey to chocolate, cheese to Highland oatcakes - all produced by farmers and other producers in the North Highlands. Visitors, including national supermarket and foodservice operators, and local buyers are able to sample for themselves the many delights being exhibited.

Danny Miller, chairman of North Highland Products, who manage the Mey Selections brand, welcomed this HIE initiative.

“Our company was a direct result of the foresight of the North Highland Initiative and it is wonderful to see eleven of Mey Selections suppliers represented, and the farmers from North Highland Products.

“By supporting the Taste of Caithness and Sutherland, the HIE Network has again demonstrated their commitment to local business in the North Highlands area.”