CATEGORY

Food and Drink

Food and Drink

Inverness Gets Ready to Crown The World’s Best Shortbread

Entries are closing soon for the first World Shortbread Championships, with junior, amateur and professional bakers preparing to put their recipes to the test in Inverness this November.

Mexican Street Food Business Ancho Set To Open In Inverness

A new Mexican street food business is coming to Inverness city centre as the husband and wife team behind Ollie's Pops prepare to open their second venture inside the Victorian Market. Victoria and Bruce will open Ancho in the Market Food Hall on Thursday 1 October, serving birria, burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas and wraps.

Orkney Peat Takes Centre Stage in New Smoky Scot Whisky

The distinctive character of Orkney peat is at the heart of a new limited whisky released today as Aceo Spirits takes its Smoky Scot range beyond its traditional Islay home. Smoky Scot Island Peat Edition Orkney Release went on sale on 15 September, becoming the first expression in a new series exploring how peat differs across Scotland's whisky producing islands.

Swinney Calls for Whisky Duty Cut in Autumn Budget

First Minister John Swinney has called on the UK Government to cut spirits duty in next month's Autumn Budget to support Scotland's Scotch whisky industry. The intervention follows talks with Scotch Whisky Association members as the industry argues that a 17% increase in excise duty over the past three years has increased pressure on distillers, their supply chains and hospitality businesses.

World Shortbread Championships Land Major Sponsor as Tickets Go on Sale

Carr's Flour Mills has been named headline sponsor of the first World Shortbread Championships as spectator tickets go on sale for the event in Inverness. The championships will take place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 21 November 2026, bringing professional, amateur and junior bakers together to compete for the title of world's finest shortbread maker. The Kirkcaldy based flour mill has almost 200 years of milling heritage and will put its name behind the inaugural event organised by High Life Highland.

Ministers Put Food Price Caps on The Table as Household Costs Rise

Scottish ministers are meeting retailers, producers, farmers, fishers and charities as proposals for legal price caps on essential food items move into consultation.

Scotmid Opens Search for Scotland’s Next Food and Drink Favourites

Scottish food and drink producers are being offered the chance to put their products on Scotmid shelves as the retailer begins its search for its next Scottish Favourites. Applications are now open for the 2026 competition, with three Gold Award winners set to receive a listing in Scotmid stores as well as £2,000 to help support their launch.

Scotland Considers Price Controls on Everyday Food Essentials

The price of everyday food essentials could be controlled in Scotland under new proposals aimed at helping households struggling with the cost of their weekly shop. The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on plans for a food price cap, including which products and retailers could be covered and how the system could operate without harming farmers and food producers.

Port Appin Hospitality Star in Running for Highlands and Islands Award

A young hospitality professional from Port Appin has been named among the three finalists for a major Highlands and Islands tourism award after building her career on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Jolene Levy, 29, from The Pierhouse Hotel and The Linnhe Storehouse & Cafe, is shortlisted for the Rising Star title at the 2026 Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards in Inverness.

Highland MSP Calls for Urgent Investment in Scotland’s Food Resilience

Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess has called for greater investment in local food production as concerns grow over Scotland's reliance on imported fruit and vegetables.

Highland Food and Drink Firms Share in £6 Million Growth Fund

Food and drink businesses across the Highlands, Moray and Western Isles have secured more than £1.39 million for new equipment, increased production and investment in local processing.

New £20,000 Grants Set to Support Farmers Across Moray

Moray farmers could receive grants of up to £20,000 through the latest Future Farming Investment Scheme, with £14.25 million available across Scotland.

A Taste of Tuscany Comes to Inverness for an Exceptional Night at Ness Walk

Ness Walk in Inverness will welcome two of Tuscany's most celebrated wine estates for an exclusive evening of rare vintages, Highland produce and guided wine tasting on 21 November.

First Minister Visits Black Isle Show as New £14.25 Million Farming Fund Announced

The First Minister visited the Black Isle Show as the Scottish Government confirmed a new £14.25 million round of farming investment grants, with enhanced support for Highlands and Islands businesses and crofters.

Zizzi Celebrates Scotland’s Students With Free Bombes on Results Day

Students across Scotland can celebrate SQA Results Day with a free Garlic and Mozzarella Bombe at Zizzi as the latest figures show rising pass rates and record qualification achievements.

News

Highland MSP Calls for Automatic Taxi Licence Ban for Serious Sex Offenders

Highlands and Islands MSP Morven May MacCallum has called for Scottish licensing laws to be changed so anyone convicted of a serious sexual offence is automatically prevented from holding a taxi licence.

Police Release CCTV Image in Inverness Investigation

Police Scotland has released a CCTV image of a man officers want to trace as part of an investigation into an incident in the Stephen's Brae area of Inverness. The incident happened shortly before 1am on Sunday 6 July 2025, with police now appealing for help identifying the man.

Entertainment

Highland Cultural Assembly Brings Creative Voices Together for The First Time

More than 100 artists, cultural organisations, creative practitioners and community representatives have gathered for the first Highland Cultural Assembly, creating a permanent forum intended to help shape the future of arts and culture across the region.

Inverness Distillery Expands as Whisky Tour Demand Almost Doubles

Uile bheist Distillery and Brewery has completed an eight month refurbishment of its Inverness visitor spaces as demand for tours approaches double the level recorded three years ago.

Travel and Tourism

Inverness Distillery Expands as Whisky Tour Demand Almost Doubles

Uile bheist Distillery and Brewery has completed an eight month refurbishment of its Inverness visitor spaces as demand for tours approaches double the level recorded three years ago.

Scottish Highlands Beat Route 66 to be Named World’s Most Wanted Family Road Trip

The Scottish Highlands have beaten Route 66, Australia's Great Ocean Road and California's Pacific Coast Highway to top a new survey of the family road trips British travellers most want to experience.