An eco-friendly mussel farm and a meeting with leading local 'foodies' were the focus of a Ministerial visit to Skye (March 10), as part of the Scottish Government's national food discussion.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead visited Loch Eishort Mussel Culture, which farms mussels in a natural environment and sells them locally and nationally.

He also spoke at the Skye and Lochalsh Food Link seminar, Local Food - Quality for Success, alongside local food connoisseur Shirley Spear of the Three Chimneys.

Mr Lochhead said: "We want the freshest, finest future for Scottish food. We produce some of the best food in the world and supporting food production and manufacturing in Scotland is in our national interest.

"Skye and Lochalsh Food Link is an excellent example of how small producers can access local restaurants, hotels and retailers and meet consumer demands by working together, is something the rest of Scotland can learn valuable lessons from.

"From the ecologically-grown mussels I have seen this morning to the local produce issues I have heard about today, I am aware of the hard work and dedication which goes into these products.

"The success in Skye also demonstrates the important links of food with tourism. Around £700 million of the annual spend from tourism in Scotland goes on food and drink. The tourism industry is a significant link in both the food supply chain and the overall visitor experience for those coming to Scotland.

"This highlights that food is about much more than what we eat - it is about jobs, the environment and tourism. And this is why the Scottish Government is pulling together all of the work already underway in the first-ever Scottish food policy.

"We are asking people to let us know what excites them about food and what frustrates them. I would encourage everyone to contribute to this vital discussion on the future of Scottish food."

To comment on the national food discussion go to: www.scotland.gov.uk/food