Land of Plenty: 5 spectacular Scottish producers you need to hunt down

Celebrate the rich and delicious diversity of Scotland with these hand-picked artisan producers

Orkney Akvavit from Orkney Spirits

Taste Orkney Spirits Limited’s unique Orkney Akvavit - distilled on the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Orkney Spirits Limited are the only Scottish distillery to produce Akvavit - a wonderful Scandinavian spirit with refreshing caraway, citrus and star anise - as homage to the Orkney Islands Scandinavian past. Orkney Akvavit can be enjoyed much like a gin - with tonic, ginger ale, in almost any cocktail, or if you’re feeling brave it’s so smooth it’s wonderful alone over ice. The distillery team particularly love to drink it with rosemary tonic. Find out more about Orkney Spirits Ltd’s multi award-winning range of gins and its new Orkney Akvavit at orkneygincompany.com

Oatcakes from Wooleys of Arran

Wooleys has been in business baking on the Isle of Arran since the middle of the nineteenth century. Present owner Lindsay Keir has been running the bakery since the 1980’s. Lindsay has now taken a step back and his son Matthew now runs the business. Wooleys of Arran have two shops on the island, one in the “capital” Brodick and the other in Lamlash. The shops are fully stocked with all your bakery goods as well a wide range of homemade pies, filled rolls, cakes and freshly ground coffee. Wooleys also supply other shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels on the island. Wooleys of Arran also have a growing biscuit business. Wooleys started to make oatcakes as means to keep staff busy in the winter months. The range continues to grow with three varieties of biscuits on offer.

wooleys.co.uk/buy-online

Artisan meat from Simon Howie Scottish Butcher

Simon Howie or the Scottish Butcher as he is known is passionate about quality meat. From the company’s award winning dry cured bacon to the UK’s no.1 haggis and the nation’s favourite black pudding, Simon Howie’s quality ingredients can help you create mouth-watering meals in your own home. The Wee Black Pudding is a perfect fridge filler with its long shelf life and versatility it can be called upon to save the day no matter the meal occasion – think about adding to eggs and avocado for breakfast and chicken and chorizo for dinner. Pick up a pack in a supermarket near you Nationwide RRP: £1.50 thescottishbutcher.com

Charles Macleod’s Stornoway Black Pudding

Multi award winning, Charles Macleod Stornoway Black Pudding is made with Scottish oatmeal to give a unique texture and the moist deep flavour is a result of high-quality ingredients and fine balance of seasoning. It’s essential in a traditional Scottish breakfast or the perfect accompaniment to a range of savoury ingredients such as scallops, chicken, beef and pork.

New to the range in 2020 is a Gluten Free version of the famous Black Pudding, which has been developed in response to customer demand. Initial feedback has been so good, that some product testers even went as far as saying it was “better than the original!”

charlesmacleod.co.uk

facebook.com/CharlieBarleys/

@CharlieBarleys

Gins and liqueurs from Deerness Distillery

Situated on a sometimes overlooked but stunning corner of Orkney Scotland, Deerness Distillery has been creating hand-crafted quality gin and vodka and liqueurs since 2017.

Stuart and Adelle Brown’s vision to create an artisan distillery in this quiet area of the Orkney mainland has flourished, and now, in their fourth year, the distillery is thriving, with great demand and a reputation for quality with numerous National and International awards, Including their Sea Glass Gin being crowned the UK’s best gin winning the Great British Food awards 2019.

After a whirlwind three years since establishing Orkney’s first distillery for 130 years, transforming what was once a hobby into a business, the couple now create their award-winning produce in the confines of their spacious distillery which has been expanded in recent years to incorporate tours, tastings and a jam-packed shop, offering an array of local produce, crafts and jewellery.

Deerness Distillery offer fantastic all year-round hampers, gin & tonic box sets perfect for presents, as well as single bottles of their spirits & liqueurs for your pleasure. Great British Food readers and subscribers get free delivery using coupon code GBF2020 Visit deernessdistillery.com and commence your sensory journey today!! Info@deernessdistillery.com / 01856 741264