A family-run hotel, pub and restaurant has invested a six-figure sum to expand its food production business.
The Oak Tree Inn, at Balmaha on Loch Lomond, secured a £130,000 finance package from Bank of Scotland to help in the construction of a new building.
That site will be used to house its food and drink making facilities which include the Loch Lomond Luxury Ice Cream and the Balmaha Brewing Co brands as well as a smokehouse for fish.
The business, set up by the Fraser family in 1997 and which now employs more than 60, said it needed to make the investment as a result of growing demand for its products.
The dedicated facilities will allow the company to expand the production of its beers and ciders such as Lomond Hop and Balmaha Best as well as its ice-cream.
Sandy Fraser, a partner in the business, said the Balmaha’s Braw Weekend food and drink festival in October had attracted more than 6,000 people and underlined the growing appetite for local produce.
He said: “We are currently developing production facilities to accommodate our ice cream, microbrewery and smokehouse brands in this new building, which will allow us to manage the huge customer demand for these products.”
Donal Church, Bank of Scotland relationship manager, said: “The Oak Tree Inn is a brilliant example of the diverse tourism and food and drink industries that makes Scotland one of the most celebrated destinations in the world.
“It is a pleasure to support a business that strives to provide a truly bespoke range of products to its customers.”
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