SHETLAND mussels proved the key for an Aberdeen-based transport provider that scooped a Gold award for its efforts at championing Scottish food and drink.

NorthLink Ferries, which is operated by Serco and provides ferry routes to Orkney and Shetland from Caithness and north-east Scotland, was crowned the winner of the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2017 business challenge.

The initiative encouraged businesses to change just one thing to promote Scottish and local produce, running from September 2 until September 17.

The ferry operator introduced Shetland mussels on to their ferry menus for the first time, offering passengers the opportunity to taste a quality locally sourced product prepared to a high standard.

The company also promoted their regular local suppliers, including Stockans Oatcakes, Orkney Brewery, Shetland Farm Dairies and award-winning Shetlandbased social enterprise company Cope Ltd, who are their main sandwich supplier.

Speaking at the official prizegiving at the NorthLink Ferries terminal in Aberdeen, Fiona Richmond, head of regional food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight takes place every year and it’s a fantastic way of celebrating our growers, producers, chefs and restaurateurs, as well as our vast and delicious Scottish larder.

“NorthLink Ferries did a tremendous job of getting involved and really embraced the ethos of changing just one thing to promote Scotland’s food and drink, which is why they are receiving this Gold award.”

Seumas Campbell, customer service director for Serco NorthLink Ferries, added: “We are extremely pleased to have received the award for our involvement in Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2017.

“The campaign is a great way of recognising the country’s fantastic range of suppliers and produce and we couldn’t think of anything better than joining in to showcase the contribution the North East, Caithness and the Northern Isles’ make to our menu options.

“Our passengers often comment on the great selection of fresh, locally sourced meals provided on board and with the introduction of Shetland mussels we offered a new element to the menu for the fortnight, alongside Shetland Lamb which has been a staple on our menus over the years. This gives us the opportunity to gauge whether or not a particular dish would be a hit and could add to our network of more than 40 of our food and drink suppliers that have a production centre or head office within a 50 miles radius of our operating ports.”

Meanwhile, the Silver business award went to food wholesalers Brakes, which has Scottish bases in Inverness, Oban, Dundee and Newhouse. Brakes used the fortnight to launch a new Scotch Beef range and hold a cookery masterclass for their sales team which was judged by Masterchef professionals winner Gary Maclean.

Insurance providers NFU Mutual won the Bronze award for their excellent use of social media during the fortnight, using Twitter, and the campaign’s hashtags, to urge their Scottish partners and agencies to participate in the fortnight by changing one thing. The company’s Strathaven branch also ran a competition online, offering a hamper from Millers Larder, who make preserves and chutneys, as the prize for the winner.

A highly commended award also went to insurance brokers Bruce Stevenson for their efforts promoting Scottish food and drink.