Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes

success of this is reflected in the steady buildup
of business that we have enjoyed since we
were formed in 2001.’
In creating A Taste of Arran, Alastair made
use of the business acumen gained through
running Arran Dairies, his family firm. It was
the experience of producing and selling on
the island – in his case, ice cream – instead of
bringing it over from the mainland that gave
him the impetus to start promoting Arran’s
local wares.
Any natural reticence producers had, or
reluctance to share their talents, soon disappeared
as the idea took off. Now, with Alastair
having the drive and ability to do the donkey
work of spreading the gospel, Arran’s producers
can concentrate on what they do best: delivering
the very best quality of food and drink.
Local heroes
That’s also important for tourism. ‘Arran has
lots of great restaurants and cafés, and it’s
important that they use local produce,’ explains
Alastair. ‘We don’t want visitors coming to the
island and eating any old lamb or standard
cheese! Food and drink are important parts of
a tourist’s enjoyment. A Taste of Arran ensures
they get the island’s best.’
Direct sales of Taste of Arran products
have now reached more than £750,000, with
participating companies’ total sales accounting
for £10-12 million. It’s no wonder the venture
is attracting interest from far and wide. ‘We’ve
worked with individuals and groups across
Scotland and the EU to promote the benefits
of business collaboration,’ says Alastair. ‘As far
as we know, the level of mutual cooperation
shown by Taste of Arran does not exist anywhere
else.’
This successful model of local business
collaboration has now inspired many other
regions and groups in Scotland – and also in
England, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany,
the USA and the Middle East. Meanwhile, the
products under the Taste of Arran brand label
are also reaching far afield, with ice cream and
cheese proving particularly popular in Dubai
and the Gulf.
Arran is sometimes referred to as ‘Scotland
in miniature’ – a tribute to an island that gives
visitors a taste of the country’s varied landscapes,
from tranquil to dramatic. But there’s
clearly nothing small about the ambitions of
Alastair and his fellow islanders. With each bite
offering a flavour of local life, you could sum it
up as big tastes from a small island. J
winter 2017 Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes 37