Latest news with #Perthshire-based
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Finlays Crisps debuts at Royal Highland Show as supplier celebrates 15 years with Aldi Scotland
Taylors Fourth-generation Perthshire producer to showcase exclusive range at the iconic show Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aldi Scotland has revealed its line-up for the iconic Royal Highland Show, with longstanding supplier Taylors Snacks, the Perthshire-based producer behind its exclusive Finlays crisp range, making an appearance at its marquee for the first time. Established in the rural village of Errol and led by fourth-generation family member James Taylor, Taylors Snacks is a proud Scottish business supporting local communities through employment and sourcing. Around 45% of the potatoes used in its crisps are grown in Scotland, with the majority of those coming from East Lothian. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taylors has worked in partnership with Aldi for more than 15 years, after the supermarket became the brand's first-ever national listing under its original Mackie's branding. Since then, the relationship has grown from strength to strength, evolving into a unique collaboration through the creation of Finlays – a crisp range produced exclusively for Aldi Scotland. Taylors Visitors to the Royal Highland Show will be able to sample Finlays' full flavour lineup, including customer favourites such as Mature Cheddar & Onion; and Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar & Pickled Onion as part of Aldi's showcase of Scottish food and drink producers. The event comes at a time of continued momentum for the popular snack category in Scotland. According to Taylors, crisps have recently enjoyed a stronger performance north of the border compared with the rest of the Great Britain. This trend is driven by more Scottish consumers choosing premium crisps more frequently. Scotland has outperformed the rest of GB when it comes to engagement with premium savoury snacks, highlighting a strong and growing appetite for high-quality locally made products. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad James Taylor, Managing Director at Taylors Snacks, said: 'To be appearing at Aldi's marquee at the Royal Highland Show for the first time is a huge moment for us as a business. We're proud of our Scottish roots, and this is a brilliant opportunity to share Finlays crisps with thousands of visitors. James Taylor 'Our partnership with Aldi stretches back over 15 years. It was our first supermarket listing, and the retailer has been a vital part of our growth journey. The development of Finlays as an Aldi-exclusive range has been a fantastic collaboration, and we're excited to showcase it in such a high-profile setting.' Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: 'Taylors Snacks is a fantastic example of the kind of long-term partnerships we're proud to build at Aldi Scotland. From our very first listing over 15 years ago to the exclusive development of Finlays, its innovation and commitment to Scottish sourcing makes it a valued part of our supplier network. 'The Royal Highland Show celebrates the best of Scotland's food and farming, so it is the perfect stage to introduce even more people to the quality of Finlays crisps.' This year's Royal Highland Show runs from Thursday 19th to Sunday 22 June in Ingliston, Edinburgh. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Finlays Crisps debuts at Royal Highland Show as supplier celebrates 15 years with Aldi Scotland
Aldi Scotland Fourth-generation Perthshire producer to showcase exclusive range at the iconic show Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aldi Scotland has revealed its line-up for the iconic Royal Highland Show, with longstanding supplier Taylors Snacks, the Perthshire-based producer behind its exclusive Finlays crisp range, making an appearance at its marquee for the first time. Established in the rural village of Errol and led by fourth-generation family member James Taylor, Taylors Snacks is a proud Scottish business supporting local communities through employment and sourcing. Around 45% of the potatoes used in its crisps are grown in Scotland, with the majority of those coming from East Lothian. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taylors has worked in partnership with Aldi for more than 15 years, after the supermarket became the brand's first-ever national listing under its original Mackie's branding. Since then, the relationship has grown from strength to strength, evolving into a unique collaboration through the creation of Finlays – a crisp range produced exclusively for Aldi Scotland. Taylors Visitors to the Royal Highland Show will be able to sample Finlays' full flavour lineup, including customer favourites such as Mature Cheddar & Onion; and Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar & Pickled Onion as part of Aldi's showcase of Scottish food and drink producers. The event comes at a time of continued momentum for the popular snack category in Scotland. According to Taylors, crisps have recently enjoyed a stronger performance north of the border compared with the rest of the Great Britain. This trend is driven by more Scottish consumers choosing premium crisps more frequently. Scotland has outperformed the rest of GB when it comes to engagement with premium savoury snacks, highlighting a strong and growing appetite for high-quality locally made products. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad James Taylor, Managing Director at Taylors Snacks, said: 'To be appearing at Aldi's marquee at the Royal Highland Show for the first time is a huge moment for us as a business. We're proud of our Scottish roots, and this is a brilliant opportunity to share Finlays crisps with thousands of visitors. Taylors 'Our partnership with Aldi stretches back over 15 years. It was our first supermarket listing, and the retailer has been a vital part of our growth journey. The development of Finlays as an Aldi-exclusive range has been a fantastic collaboration, and we're excited to showcase it in such a high-profile setting.' Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: 'Taylors Snacks is a fantastic example of the kind of long-term partnerships we're proud to build at Aldi Scotland. From our very first listing over 15 years ago to the exclusive development of Finlays, its innovation and commitment to Scottish sourcing makes it a valued part of our supplier network. 'The Royal Highland Show celebrates the best of Scotland's food and farming, so it is the perfect stage to introduce even more people to the quality of Finlays crisps.'
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Quotes from iconic Scottish poets unveiled on walls of Scottish Parliament
The works have been carved into stones from across the country by Perthshire-based stone carver Gillian Forbes, assisted by apprentice Cameron Wallace. Scotland's esteemed poets have graced the Scottish Parliament walls with their verses - thanks to a Perthshire stone carver. The words of former Scots Makars Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie now permanently adorn the parliamentary estate, thanks to the craftsmanship of Glenfarg stone carver Gillian Forbes and her apprentice Cameron Wallace. Etched into stones hailing from across Scotland, they have been placed on the Canongate Wall of Holyrood, which sits on the Royal Mile. With these additions, there are now 29 engraved quotations on the wall, celebrating the rich tapestry of Scottish literature, from revered writers to timeworn proverbs and cherished poetry. Achnaba Schist sourced near Lochgilphead served as the canvas for Lochhead's poignant contribution: "this". "our one small country.. "our one, wondrous, spinning, dear green place. "What shall we build of it, together". "in this our one small time and space?". Kay's heartfelt words carved into Ailsa Craig Granite from Ayrshire, says : "Where do you come from?". "'Here,' I said, 'Here. These parts.'". Meanwhile, Jamie's Dalbeattie Granite inscription from Dumfriesshire, says: "Be brave:". "by the weird-song in the dark you'll find your way." Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer, lauded the installation as an homage to the artistry and dedication of women excelling in their fields within Scotland. She remarked: "The inspirational words of our three poets – Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie – combine with the skill of stone carver Gillian Forbes, making these quotes something of real beauty using stone from across Scotland. "This is only possible thanks to the original vision of Enric Miralles and artist Soraya Smithson, who designed the wall as a permanent reminder of our rich cultural heritage. "I'm proud to unveil these new quotes, which ensure that this piece of living public sculpture reflects the writing talent we have in Scotland today." Lochhead, Makar between 2011 and 2016, said: "It's a big part of my life, being a Scot, being somebody who has a Parliament, and getting some of my words on the walls here, it's fantastic." Kay, who succeeded as Makar in 2016 until 2021, shared: "It's a huge honour and so extraordinary to be carved into stone. "It's so strange to think of your words surviving you – but in a sense, that's every writer's dream." Jamie, who held the title of Makar from 2021 until last year, added: "Poetry is very democratic. It's available to anybody – through libraries, through memory. It's free, and it's absolutely of our culture."
The Courier
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
93,000-panel Cupar solar farm bid lodged with Scottish Government
Plans for a major 93,000-panel solar farm near Cupar have been submitted to the Scottish Government. The West Springfield scheme also includes up to 50 megawatt battery energy storage on farmland near the A914. Together they would have capacity to power 12,500 homes a year. The site sits just over a mile east of Ladybank and south of Bow of Fife. And the development is separate from a bid for 58,000 solar panels at Over Rankeilor, on the other side of Cupar. The West Springfield scheme is described as nationally significant due to its size and capacity. And this means the Scottish Government will rule on it, rather than Fife Council. The plans were submitted by Perthshire-based BLC Energy, which is working with Trio Power. It has also lodged a proposal for a similar-sized development near Glamis Castle, in Angus. If approved, construction at the West Springfield solar farm site could start next year. And it could be producing energy by 2027. BLC says it is committed to ongoing consultation with the public over its plans. It has already held two public engagement events, in March and April. The developer says its Fife and Angus proposals would 'materially advance' the Scottish and UK governments' ambitions for a fully decarbonised electricity system by 2035. BLC Energy managing director Neil Lindsay said: 'We've now submitted 200MW of projects into the Scottish planning system, with another 200MW planned before the end of the year. 'Our relationships with landowners, commitment to meaningful community consultation and expertise in the technology mean we have an excellent pipeline of projects. 'If Scotland and the UK are to meet their renewable energy targets, we need more of these real-scale developments.' The West Springfield solar farm plan comes with an associated benefit fund of £500 per MW during the project's lifetime. This amounts to £1.3 million over 40 years, with communities deciding for themselves how it is spent.
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Plans lodged with Scottish Government for 100,000-panel solar farm near Forfar
Detailed plans have been submitted to the Scottish Government for a 100,000-panel solar farm west of Forfar. The Cossans scheme would generate enough electricity to power 16,500 homes a year. Its developers also want to include up to 50MW of battery energy storage on the site near Glamis Castle. Proposals for the major development were first revealed last year. Perthshire-based BLC Energy has now lodged a Section 36 consent application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. It is one of two solar and BESS farm applications the company is seeking approval for in Angus and Fife. The other is a similar-sized project at West Springfield, near Cupar. If consented, the Cossans scheme would connect to the grid at Lunanhead, east of Forfar. BLC says it will now continue consultation with local communities following public engagement events earlier this year. It is aiming for a grid connection within the next five years. BLC Energy managing director Neil Lindsay said: 'We've now submitted 200MW of projects into the Scottish planning system, with another 200MW planned before the end of the year. 'Our relationships with landowners, commitment to meaningful community consultation and expertise in the technology mean we have an excellent pipeline of projects. 'For the Cossans project, we are aiming for a pre-2030 connection.' Mr Lindsay said that will be decided through the ongoing UK grid reform process. It involves a shift from a 'first come, first served' approach to a 'first ready, first connected' system for grid connections. The aim is to prioritise projects strategically aligned with the government's clean energy goals. The company also revealed its hopes for how a £25,000-a-year community fund could be used over the 40-year lifetime of the project. Mr Lindsay added: 'We believe the communities around these sites should decide how the money is best spent. 'For some, that might be a trust that provides money towards winter fuel bills or retrofitting energy-saving measures in homes. 'For others, it might be funding apprenticeships or investing in community facilities.' Both projects are owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO Power is owned and funded by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN) and part of the Octopus Energy Group. The Cossans project website is at
