The AGM of North Highland Products in the Park Hotel Thurso was the occasion for the presentation of a bottle of Mey Selections Barrogill whisky to local farmer Arnott Coghill, who is based at Skinnet, Halkirk, in Caithness.
North Highland Products offered a bottle of whisky as an incentive to farmers who completed a stock availability questionnaire. Mr Coghill's name was drawn out of the hat and the company's AGM was used as an opportunity to hand over the prize.
The presentation took place at the Park Hotel Thurso and was made by Dr John Strak, the Managing Director of North Highland Products and George Cormack, the Marketing Manager.
Dr Strak said, "We had a great response to our survey and it has helped Mey Selections to plan its livestock sales more effectively. Farmers like Mr Coghill, (who has provided us with over a hundred cattle), have clearly understood that working together to offer quality livestock under a strong brand name is the only way to compete these days. Without a link to the final customer farmers will always find it hard to persuade retailers to take their products in preference to others.
But building a brand is not easy and it is not cheap and it is marvellous to see almost 300 farmers committing themselves to this long term strategy through Mey Selections. Equally, I am very grateful to the continuing support of HRH The Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, whose connections with Mey Selections have undoubtedly helped with brand recognition. Congratulations to Mr Coghill on winning the bottle of Barrogill but it is worth saying that all our farmers are winners through the premium prices they receive by selling livestock through Mey Selections."
Photo shows (left to right) George Cormack, Marketing Manager, North Highland Products, Arnott Coghill, Dr John Strak, Managing Director, North Highland Products
