Visitors to the Scottish Highlands now have direct access to over 250 food and drink experiences, thanks to a new directory platform designed to help them plan their trip.
The new Highland Food and Drink showcase website, created by Highland Tourism CIC with funding support from Scotland Food & Drink, is described as a ‘one stop shop’ for folk wanting to explore Highlands hospitality.
The platform hosts information on everything from Michelin star dining to the best beach café spots, including not-to-be-missed distillery experiences. The food and drink site forms part of the development of ‘Escape to the Highlands’, a new region-wide website covering everything that the Highlands have to offer.
Samantha Faircliff, managing director at Cairngorm Brewery Company and Regional Food Tourism Ambassador for Scotland Food & Drink for the Highlands, said: “As we look to the summer ahead, there is so much to be excited about for our vibrant tourism sector, and in particular our network of world class food and drink experiences.
“The Highland region was recently listed in National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World’ destinations for 2023, one of only two UK based destinations to make the prestigious list of nominees. Our new platform will make it easy for visitors to explore the wonderful range of experiences we have to showcase across the region.”
The Highland region expects to welcome millions of tourists over the 2023 summer season and is encouraging food and drink enthusiasts to explore the different experiences on offer across the Highland larder.
Highland Tourism CIC Chair, Yvonne Crook, said: “Our food and drink offering in the Highlands is legendary. So much more than the amazing array of whiskies being produced, our larder is rich with phenomenal produce and, our food and drink community boasts spectacular experiences created by some of the most passionate and skilled people in the industry.
“We are delighted with the support of Scotland Food & Drink and our founding sponsor Tomatin Distillery. Their joint backing has enabled this showcase to be developed and we look forward to continuing to build on it so that our visitors can see for themselves the spectacular food and drink landscape we have to offer.”
Managing Director of Tomatin Distillery, Stephen Bremner, added: “This site is an excellent example of why we’ve provided such substantial financial investment in the work of Highland Tourism CIC. This new directory website showcases so much of what is great about the food and drink sector in the region.
“Perhaps above all, it is community-driven and totally in keeping with our own goals and values for sustainability and the environment. Highland Tourism CIC get things done and this chimes with our own approach. We look forward to seeing the success of this new website and how our support will help to bring other projects to fruition.”
Pre-pandemic there was a surge in domestic tourism to the Scottish Highlands, and post-covid, the Highlands is seeing the return of international visitors – so the region expects to have a busy summer and is encouraging food and drink enthusiasts to explore all that’s on offer across the Highlands larder.
To explore food and drink in the Highlands, visit: https://foodanddrink.highlandtourism.org/
