Year of Food and Drink
Scotland is a land of food and drink; a land rich in wonderful produce; a land of quality.
Scotland's produce is a massive draw for visitors and earns plaudits around the world.
When the International Culinary Tourism Association unveiled its first major report in 2010, it cited Scotland as one of the planet's most "unique, memorable and interesting places" for food and drink!
Between May 2010 and May 2011 we celebrated The Year of Food and Drink all across the country. The Scottish Government initiative, working with EventScotland, VisitScotland, and Scotland Food & Drink, helped people the length and breadth of our country celebrate the wonderful food and drink Scotland possess. It highlighted the distinct role that food and drink plays and will continue to play in shaping Scotland's cultural identity and heritage.
The Year of Food and Drink was the first in a series of special celebration years which will lead to 2014 when Scotland welcomes the world as it stages the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and the second year of Homecoming.
This builds upon the hugely successful 2009 Year of Homecoming which attracted an additional 95,000 visitors to Scotland and generated £53.7 million in additional tourism revenue.
The campaign was a huge success with over 80% of visitors reporting the quality of food and drink at events to be of a high or very high standard.
Scotland's growing reputation as a premier provider of iconic food and drink is an opportunity to extend and enhance the food and drink experience at events throughout the country and to spotlight the best produce and food experiences in Scotland.
A key legacy from the Year of Food and Drink has been the development of the Experiencing Scotland project which aims to maximise the growth opportunities for tourism businesses to add value to their visitor experience by using Scottish produce as part of their menus, thereby supporting Scotland's aspiration to be known as a Land of Food and Drink.
Visitors from home and abroad enjoyed a diverse range of events and had the opportunity to eat and drink top quality Scottish produce. Events included the Big Tent, Festival in the Sky, Living Food at Cawdor Castle and the BBC Good Food Show.
Food and Drink Fortnight Over 130 national and international events of all types and sizes celebrated the nation's quality produce. Events included EatBute, The Dundee Flower and Food Festival, which featured celebrity and local chefs and Savour the Flavours, a programme of 47 events celebrating the very best of Dumfries and Galloway's quality food and drink. In addition, the Eat Scottish pledge encouraged individuals to eat more Scottish products for a day, a week, or the entire Fortnight.
Royal Highland Show - The 2010 Royal Highland Show set a new attendance record in 2010 of 187,644 - an increase of more than 11,000 on last year's record of 176,522. The visits from the EU Agriculture Commissioner and Chairman of the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee underlined Scotland's reputation as a land of food and drink. Visitors had the opportunity to try and buy the best of Scottish produce in the food hall which hosted around 100 stands, over 60% of which were from Scotland and the cookery theatre allowed over 4,000 people to learn about preparing and cooking Scottish produce.
Winter Festivals - Starting on St Andrew's Day and finishing on Burn's Night the Scottish Government held a series of special events to brighten up the darkest months of the year. Highlights include the St Andrew's Day Borders Taste Awards and events were held across the country to pay tribute to our national baird on Burn's night on the 25th January.