Photo of
July 1, 2015
The Scottish berry season is in full flow.
The Scottish berry season is in full flow.

The sun is very much here and Wimbledon has started. If you needed any more proof that summer has definitely arrived then please put your hands together for today’s launch of Scotland’s Berry Trail.

From Black Isle Berries in Ross-Shire to Border Berries in Kelso, the trail aims to celebrate and promote some thirty or so Scottish berry farms during their short but sweet growing season.

The trail is part of the government’s Year of Food & Drink calendar of monthly themes. July’s theme is Summer Fruits and Berries.

Available in VisitScotland Information Centres, there is a leaflet which shows the Berry Trail and, from later today, you will also be able to see it online.

Pick of the crop

The campaign hopes to encourage the public to scoff more Scottish berries whether they pick them themselves; buy a punnet from the shops or enjoy them in our restaurants and cafes.

From the traditional sweetness of strawberries and raspberries to the more tart blackcurrants and redcurrants, Scotland has long had a great reputation for producing top quality berries.

The combination of relatively cool summers and long daylight hours produces sweet, ripe berries.

They’re berry good for you

There is also evidence that munching lots of berries is good for you. From blueberries to the new aronia berry, grown in Angus, they are packed with antioxidant vitamins and phenolic compounds.

Scotland’s Food Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

‘Scottish berries are nutritious and tasty with health-giving properties. This project is a shining example of greater innovation and deeper collaboration within our booming Food and Drink sector.

‘I want us all to make the most of the abundance of fresh, tasty, healthy ingredients that are produced right here on our doorstep. As we move towards becoming a Good Food Nation, my vision is by 2025, Scotland will also be widely recognised as the best place in the world for food and drink companies to do business.’

Scotland’s Berry Trail was supported by the Community Food Fund and Think Local. Think Local is a three-year, Scottish Government funded project, which will help to develop a commercial and sustainable local food and drink sector in Scotland, on a regional basis.