Orkney businesses are set to bring some extra festive cheer to Glasgow next week, when they take part in a major Christmas retail show being staged in the city.
The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair, running between 2 and 5 December, will be the first mainland event that food, drink and creative firms from the islands have taken part in physically since covid restrictions were imposed last year.
Eight local food and drink firms – all members of Orkney Food and Drink – and six businesses belonging to Creative Orkney are travelling to Glasgow, with several making a debut appearance at the fair.
Their attendance is being supported by the Orkney Marketing programme, a joint initiative between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council (OIC).
Billed by organisers as a chance to step inside the pages of Country Living magazine, the event - held in the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) - covers everything from gift and home styling ideas to cookery demonstrations and live entertainment.
Orkney businesses at the 2019 Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow - images by Luigi Di Pasquale
Edgar Balfour, project manager for Orkney Food and Drink, and Creative Orkney, said: “Orkney businesses have worked very hard throughout the pandemic to maintain virtual links with customers, both retail and wholesale, and to build online sales. However, there’s no substitute for meeting people at real live events and everyone travelling to Glasgow is very excited about the opportunity to get a degree of normality back into their trade and retail fair schedules. We also have several Country Living first timers amongst the Orkney contingent, so they’re very much looking forward to the experience.
“Traditionally, the Country Living Christmas Fair has been an important event for Scottish retailers in the lead up to the festive season, showcasing a wide range of high-quality goods from across the country to many shoppers. Naturally, there’ll be some restrictions in place to ensure the safety of businesses attending and the folk visiting, but hopefully we’ll see a good turnout and lots of sales. The Orkney stands are always a big draw and we’re sure our presence will bring some extra festive cheer to Glasgow!”
The Orkney businesses attending the event are;
Aurora Jewellery, Deerness Distillery, Flow Glass, Highland Park, Hume Sweet Hume, Island Design, Karen Duncan Jewellery, Orkney Bakery, Orkney Distilling Ltd, Orkney Gin Company, Orkney Isles Preserves, Stockan’s Oatcakes, The Island Smokery and Zoe Davidson Jewellery.