Scotland’s new food and drink trail puts Moray Speyside's 'huge selection' on the map
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MORAY'S incredible food and drink providers are to be linked up by a new digital trail.
The Taste of Moray Speyside Trail, launching on Friday, June 30, will bring together the best ways to enjoy the region's local produce on a new visitor-friendly website.
Producers, retailers, restaurants and events within food and drink are included in the scheme, set up by tourism and business support organisation Visit Moray Speyside.
CEO Gemma Cruickshank said: "It's exciting. There's a lot going on and we've had a lot of interest from local businesses as well.
"It has been received really well, with 60 businesses signed up so far, especially since it's something that is good for locals but also for visitors as well."
Businesses listed on the Taste of Moray Speyside Trail website will earn their place on an interactive map, showcasing their produce and experiences to locals and visitors alike.
The website will also share background on Moray's food and drink, telling the story of famous local classics like whisky, Cullen skink and shortbread, as well as listing upcoming food and drink events.
Businesses featured will also receive marketing and promotion through the Taste of Moray Speyside Trail's website and social media channels.
Trail hotspots will also receive window stickers, featuring a QR code which potential customers can scan with their phones to learn more.
Members of Visit Moray Speyside are free to join the Taste of Moray Speyside Trail, but non-members can join for a £50 fee.
Also featured online, as part of the new trail, will be links to accommodation and activities in Moray provided through Visit Moray Speyside's website.
Ms Cruickshank said the trail will show off how many businesses are using and championing local produce, and create a "different experience".
"It's bringing the businesses together," she said.
"Using the trail, you could buy meat from a farm shop, then go to a restaurant just down the road where they're serving meat from the farm shop you just visited.
"It just offers that different experience, to showcase what we've got in the region.
"And also it's showcasing how much food and drink is actually produced here, which is around one third of Scotland’s food and drink."
Bringing together Moray's food and drink in one place, according to Ms Cruickshank, will also help the area benefit from a shift in visitor attitudes towards "experiences", rather than just seeking attractions and sightseeing.
She said: "People aren't necessarily coming just for attractions, so much.
"They are looking for something they can actually experience.
"And that's what food and drink does – especially in Moray Speyside.
"We've got such a huge selection here, including a really great choice of restaurants.
"So I think: 'Why not? Let's just showcase them.'"
Thoughts are also already turning to the Winter Festival, a Visit Moray Speyside programme of events which runs from November to January.
"The festival pulls together a program of events happening across the region," Ms Cruickshank said.
"But we also work with local community groups in different towns to put on events.
"Just so that there is something available on most weekends, during those quieter periods.
"Moray is a 365-day destination, so you can come here any time of the year."
Some of the firms already signed up for the Taste of Moray Speyside Trail are:
- Walker's Shortbread
- Orrin Restaurant
- Oakwood Cookery School
- Royal Oak in Cullen
- Badenoch's in Elgin
- Alba Scottish Gin
- Catch 79 Seafood Bistro in Lossiemouth
- Dowan's Hotel
- Elchies Farm Shop
- Glenrinnes Distillery
- Gordon and MacPhail
- Gordon Castle Walled Gardens
- Kula Coffee Hit
- Maverston Golf Course
- Strathisla Distillery
- Spey Valley Brewery
- The Dram Queen
- The Spey Larder
- Threaplands Garden Centre
- WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre
- Weaver's Restaurant at Johnstons of Elgin
