With Scotland celebrating the ‘Year of Food and Drink’, the scene is set as 50 businesses do battle this week for the ultimate industry accolades in the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.  

With 19 entered categories celebrating excellence across the sector, the coveted event, dubbed the Scottish food and drink ‘Oscars’, is considered by many to be the gold standard awards of the year, and Shepherd and Wedderburn is proud to be sponsoring the hotly contested ‘Alcoholic Drink’ category.

It features three nominees: Dunnet Bay Distillers, based in Caithness, for their Rock Rose Gin; Ian Macleod Distillers, in Stirlingshire, for their Glengoyne 25-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; and Ogilvy Spirits, from Angus, for their Ogilvy Scottish Potato Vodka.

Broadcaster Kaye Adams will announce the winners of the awards at the capital’s National Museum of Scotland. The ceremony, which sold out in record time, will play host to more than 800 guests and will feature a drinks reception and delicious dinner to showcase the very best of what Scotland has to offer.

Commenting on the event, Corporate Partner George Frier, head of the firm’s Food and Drink Group, said: “Shepherd and Wedderburn has a long track record of supporting innovative food and drink companies and it is appropriate that we support the latest wave of high-quality products being brought to market. The craft beer and bespoke spirit sector has been transformed in Scotland in the past ten years and sponsoring this award is our way of recognising this.”

The shortlist represents a broad spectrum of Scotland’s food and drink: from small companies like Summerhouse Drinks and Charlotte Flower Chocolates through to industry giants including Brewdog and

Baxters. The awards are organised by Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.