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We are exploring the opportunity to develop a new, modern and efficient cheese and whey manufacturing facility on the Kintyre peninsula.

Jeff Halliwell, managing director of our cheese business, said: “We believe that the best option to secure the long-term future of dairying in Kintyre is to develop a modern and flexible manufacturing footprint at a new site on the peninsula. This move would also enable us to take full advantage of the potential of the Mull of Kintyre cheese brand.

“Accordingly we have engaged on a confidential basis with Scottish Government ministers to share our top line business plan and explore opportunities for financial support,” explained Jeff.

We met with Jim Mather, minister for enterprise, energy and tourism and Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment and both were very supportive of our proposal.

Detailed discussions

“They recognise the importance of the dairy industry for the Kintyre peninsula and expressed their support for our plan. Based on their suggestions, we are now engaged in detailed discussions with grant funding bodies, such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to explore opportunities for financial support.

"As we work to put funding in place to develop this plan, we will keep all of our stakeholders informed, ” added Jeff.

Local Representative Robert Millar, who runs a herd of 150 traditional British Friesian cows at High Cattadale Farm, Southend, near Campbeltown, with his two sons Robert (32) and Andrew (24), welcomed the news.

Great excitement

“There is great excitement down here among the 42 producers in Kintyre. There are a lot of young people keen on milking cows in this area and the prospect of new markets will give them all a tremendous lift. This news shows that First Milk is looking to support the next generation of dairy farmers on the peninsula.

“We have a tremendous product in the Mull of Kintyre cheese brand and this will be a great opportunity for us to compete at the top end of the quality market,” he said.

Chris Wareham, general manager at Campbeltown, said the 33 staff at the creamery had been very positive about the announcement.

“Clearly people want to know where any new creamery will be located but they understand that new sites have to be assessed. The existing creamery has served us very well but staff are keen to work in a new leading-edge facility which will allow us to develop the Mull of Kintyre brand and maximise its potential.”

THE HISTORY

Cambeltown creamery has a long and varied history. The sire buildings were erected in 1820 and initially, operated as a whisky distillery. Conversion to milk processing took place in 1921 and full-scale cheese manufacture began in 1974. The current site infrastructure was developed in the 1980s.

Given its origins as a whisky distillery, we have always said that the quality and taste of our Mull of Kintyre cheese is enhanced by the ‘angel’s share’ of whisky still lingering in the building.