Local Food and Drink Events for Caithness and Sutherland Producers and Buyers

14th January 2014

Local food and drink producers and retailers in Caithness and Sutherland are being invited to two events in Thurso and Dornoch to explore and discuss future opportunities for closer collaboration.

The events, which will both be held on Tuesday 21 January, are part of a series of local meetings taking place across the Highlands organised by the Think Local project which aims to facilitate constructive discussion about forging closer partnerships in the local food and drink sector. Similar well attended events have already taken place in Skye, Lochaber and Wester Ross.

Think Local Project Co-ordinators Sarah Allen and Davie MacLeod have been running online surveys to complement the meetings and to find out more about business needs and to identify any barriers to growth so they are looking forward to coming along to discuss the findings. Sarah said: “These meetings will give us the chance to feedback what producers have told us about supplying food and drink locally and also what retailers and the hospitality trade have told us about buying local food and drink. We want to thank everyone who has taken part in our on-line survey and I am sure the food and drink producers and buyers coming along on the 21 January will find the results of the survey intriguing and enlightening.”

The Thurso event takes place in the Caithness Horizons Centre from 2pm – 4pm and the Dornoch event will be on the same day at the Burghfield House Hotel from 7pm-9pm and anyone who is interested in the local food and drink sector is welcome to attend.

North, West and Central Sutherland Ward Member and Vice Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor George Farlow is delighted that The Highland Council is supporting the project. He said: “These meetings are an opportunity to bring together crofters and farmers alongside restaurateurs, retailers, B&B providers and hoteliers to see if they want to pursue some of the issues raised.

The Highland Council will be looking at all the findings in detail once all the meetings have taken place to see what needs to be done to support local activities in the food and drink sector.”

Anyone living in Sutherland interested in coming along but who may not be able to get to Dornoch on the 21st January is invited to an event next month in Lochinver Village Hall on Tuesday 4 February from 1.00-3.00pm. The other final events in February will take place in Dingwall Mart on Tuesday 4 February from 7-9pm and the Grant Arms in Grantown on Thursday 6 February from 2-4pm. For further information please contact Davie MacLeod on 07867 646273.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

Today : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.