CalMac’s stands – H7 and 9 – at VisitScotland’s Expo in Aberdeen this week, 22nd-23rd April, will be showcasing just some of the specialist foods and drinks produced in the Highlands and Islands and served on board its ferries.
In February, the first seven of the company’s Mariners Cafes on it 10 major vessels were awarded VisitScotland’s Taste Our Best accreditation for their commitment to sourcing Scottish produce. CalMac was the first ferry company to receive this accolade.
This was followed in March by two more of the ships gaining the award and, earlier this month, the company was thrilled and proud to learn that it was the only transport operator to make it to the finals of the Scottish Food and Drink Awards – with a nomination in the Scottish Sourcing category.
In another first, the company will hold a series of pop-up tastings during the summer on selected routes to allow customers to appreciate the food which is on offer in the islands. The lucky travellers should find treats like the products of Arran Brewery, Colonsay Brewery, Cobbs Cakes, Burns Stewart Distillers and Gigha Halibut.
As well as, where possible, using Scottish sourced ingredients throughout its menu, CalMac’s coffee shops and retail outlets also stock all manner of local produce and goods – from tablet and biscuits, chocolate and tablet, and real ale and whisky, through to local newspapers and gifts.
But there’s a much more serious side to all this good grubbing about.
Caledonian MacBrayne uses 67 retail suppliers on board its ferries. Of these 62 are from Scotland and 44 of these are from the islands, making CalMac a very serious customer of some small and unique businesses throughout its network.
In turn, this offers ferry passengers a great taste of the isles and spreads the word still further about some of Scotland’s best produce. And, in cold hard figures, this amounts to a spend with these suppliers of some £5.188Milion per annum – a not inconsiderable financial boost.
With 4.65million passengers carried on the ships in 2014 alone – up 1.29% on the previous year – CalMac is committed to serving, selling and promoting these Scottish and island businesses.
As well as the Food and Drink Award nomination, CalMac is proud to have been shortlisted in the Best Sea Carrier category at the National Coach Tourism Awards, in two categories at the Bee’s Knees Awards with Greenock Chamber of Commerce:
- in the Best Performing Large Business award;
- and in the Excellence in Marketing and Communications award
– and, for its 2014 Come Home with CalMac campaign, shortlisted in two categories for the Marketing Society Scotland Awards:
- the Digital, category
- and the and Tourism and Leisure category.
The company’s ship MV Finlaggan [above], usually in service on the Islay route and the UK’s busiest malt whisky ferry, has also received an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council.
‘The start of 2015 has been a great one for CalMac’, said Head of Commercial Development, Graeme MacFarlane. ‘From gaining recognition and accreditation for our Mariners cafes, to numerous awards nominations and developing new ways to bring a taste of our network to our customers.
‘This is a very important year for CalMac and we look forward to continuing this encouraging trend throughout.’
Part of CalMac’s commitments to its island and mainland communities is as an economic enabler across various sectors, including the promotion of tourism. And, this year, the company’s Go Days Out brochure brings short day trips and activities to the fore.
Making it ever easier for visitors to reach some of the west coast’s stunning attractions, nearly all of the packages, which feature island and peninsula destinations throughout the network, roll both ferry travel and access to the venue or activity into one easy package.
And some of this year’s brand new highlights include:
- lagoon swimming with seals on Mull:
- a boat trip to dual-World Heritage Site St Kilda from Uig on the Isle of Skye;
- the stunning gardens at Ardtornish on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula;
- a quick hop across to Arran Heritage Museum in Brodick.
There really is something for everyone – put them through their paces to prove it at Stands H7-H9 at EXPO in Aberdeen this week – and enjoy the nibbles and the drams.
