Deeside puts venison on tourists' menu

SCOTLAND's first "venison festival" was launched yesterday as part of a major tourism drive to highlight the quality of the food and drink available on Deeside.

The six-day event is being staged as part of the Royal Deeside Larder initiative, organised by the Royal Deeside and Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation, and has united local hoteliers, shopkeepers and country estates in a celebration of all things venison.

The festival, which runs until Sunday, features a range of gastronomic events where everything from venison haggis to venison vindaloo will be on offer, as well as "venison-themed" ceilidhs and concerts.

Garry Marsden, the organisation's chairman, said: "This unique event will offer first- timers and venison connoisseurs alike the opportunity to taste some of the very finest Scottish venison in some unusual settings."

The festival would offer a mix of traditional and modern venison dishes to suit every palate, he said.

"Visitors also will get a fascinating insight into the important role that venison plays in Royal Deeside's Larder. We know that visitors to Deeside and the Cairngorms enjoy authentic, local food when they holiday - and there can be no finer example of this than the game that roams our estates."

A spokeswoman for the festival said it was part of a significant programme of food and drink events aimed at strengthening and extending the tourist season in the area.

"It is hoped that the Venison Festival, which is taking place in the Scottish Government's Year of Food and Drink, will become an annual event and mark Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms out as a year-round food-lovers' paradise," she said.