Shetland, the most northerly point of the UK, is to promote its food and drink offering to the world through a new interactive website which has launched today.
It is the first time that the breadth of Shetland’s food and drink businesses have come together in such an initiative way.
The tasteofshetland.com website will serve as an online destination for information, and raise the profile of Shetland’s produce and outlets through its reach to people within and outwith the islands.
It will offer web visitors the opportunity to discover the range of food and drink delights that the Shetland Islands have on offer and order goods online, and highlight where produce can be tasted and bought.
It is being launched by Shetland Food and Drink, the new membership organisation which proudly promotes the exceptional food and drink produced in one of the UK’s most unique environments.
Marian Armitage, chair of Shetland Food and Drink, said: ‘Shetland has one of the most pristine environments in the UK and the food and drink which is produced here is exceptional. Shetland has a wealth of great produce as part of its DNA, its heritage.
At the Waas Bakery in Walls, Shetland has a thriving baking industry which produces oatcakes, sourdough and other breads, biscuits, cakes and the exceptionally tasty Shetland bannock.
(Photo: Calum Toogood)
‘However, it has traditionally ‘kept its light under a bushel’ when it comes to promoting the wealth of produce we have here. So, with the growing interest both in and outwith Shetland in provenance of food and drink and regional production it is the perfect time for tasteofshetland.com to be launched.’
Jill Franklin, manager of Shetland Food and Drink, added: ‘We want tasteofshetland.com to be an online hub for everyone. Whether you are someone considering having a holiday in Shetland, are a past visitor and fan from afar or you live here, you will find a wealth of information. We want the site to be content-rich, informative, and ever-changing.
‘The funding we received from Shetland LEADER, the Shetland Islands Council, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and our many sponsors is to help create and develop a cohesive platform for the Shetland’s food and drink producers. The launch of www.tasteofshetland.com is an important step towards this aim.’
From pure, clean water which is rich in feed, Shetland successfully grows rope-grown mussels, with thinner shells and a higher meat content than mussels from the sea bed. The Shetland mussel industry is worth £5.1 million to the local economy. (Photo: Calum Toogood)
Highlights of tastofshetland.com include:
Interactive map of the best that Shetland has to offer. The site features an interactive map, the first of its kind for Shetland, which has been developed so visitors can quickly find out where local food and drink is made and sold. Clicking on one of the pins in the map displays a brief summary of the featured business, along with a link to the individual producer or retailer.
Online shop. Visitors can purchase gifts, event tickets and merchandise. First to go on sale are some great Christmas gifts – exclusive bags, peenies (aprons) and tea towels featuring the wonderful Shetland dialect; greetings cards and Christmas cards by local artist Monica Pothecary; butter, oatcakes and other non-perishable foods.
The website will also be the main source of information on the Taste of Shetland Festival, which has now become a key date in the Shetland calendar, from October 5-7 in 2018.
From early 2018, visitors can buy tickets for the event, local businesses can book stands, and there will be the chance to see recipes and other activities around the festival as they are announced.
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