CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, visited Gullane’s inaugural 2022 Food and Drink Festival last weekend.
Mr Hoy is the convener of Scotland’s Cross-Party Group on Beer and Pubs which aims to support beer and pubs-related hospitality businesses across Scotland.
The Gullane Food and Drink Festival featured an evening of Chocolate with La Potiniere, followed by a farm tour with Luffness Mains, whisky tasting with Glenkinchie and a tea tasting session among other activities.
On Saturday, food and drink producers from across East Lothian pitched up on Gullane’s Goose Green for the festival’s Artisan and Producers Market which offered a wide selection of locally-sourced food and drink products.
Mr Hoy met with a number of local businesses including Louise Pickering, festival founder and owner of the Cherish Tearoom in Gullane.
He also met with Tobermory Oysters, which operates out of Fenton Barns and Belhaven Smokehouse, which has recently upgraded its retail facilities on the outskirts of Dunbar, and representatives of Glenkinchie Distillery.
Hoy visited the Rettie stand where he thanked Andrew Smith, Director of Country House Sales, with the firm for sponsoring the event.
The South Scotland MSP said: “The Gullane Food and Drink Festival was a fantastic celebration of the delicious fresh food and drink produce which East Lothian has to offer.
“As covid restrictions ease it is very important that we continue to support local food and drinks businesses from East Lothian who have been impacted by the pandemic.
“The festival was a great way of promoting small and medium sized food and drink businesses in East Lothian, and I can’t wait the Festival to return next year.”
