Call for support in promoting food tourism in Moray/Speyside

Angus Robertson – calling for HIE support

SPEYSIDE IS ONE of the world’s foremost food and drink regions – and a leading politician is determined that should be shouted from the mountains.

Moray’s MP Angus Robertson this week wrote to Highlands and Islands Enterprise seeking support and greater effort in marketing the region throughout the world.

Last year the MP and his Holyrood colleague, Richard Lochhead, met with bosses at distillery giants Chivas Brothers and Diageo to discuss boosting visitor numbers of the Moray/Speyside regions.

In a letter to HIE’s chief executive Alex Paterson, Mr Robertson said: “The Moray Council, Moray Chamber of Commerce and the Moray-Speyside initiative has been making great progress, and I believe with senior management commitment and involvement in the next stage of common efforts we can initiate a step change.

“Last week Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Food and Drink and MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead and I met with the leadership and senior officers of The Moray Council where we discussed how we can best take things forward.

“I undertook to contact you and take up your kind offer of assistance in bringing together key players to discuss progress.

“I look forward to the opportunity of all key public and private sector partners to participate fully in the common endeavour of matching our status as a world class food and drink region with world class coordination and promotion.”

Confirming receipt of the letter HIE area manager for Moray, David Oxley, said that they were “well aware” of the MP’s desire to promote the region, adding: “We are already involved in a lot of initiatives to support Moray’s food and drink sector through Moray/Speyside Tourism, Moray Chamber of Commerce and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

“We are delighted to take an interest going forward to promote the area.”