Cider firm wins £32,500 funding to help reduce wasted apples

A Perthshire cider company is to receive a £32,500 grant to promote the area’s apples.

The Strathearn Cider Company was offered the money by the Rural Perth and Kinross Leader Programme 2014-2020, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Europe investing in rural areas, and will match the cash to create Strathearn’s first cider company.

Jackie Brierton, the Perth and Kinross Leader Local Action Group chairwoman, said it will help prevent waste.

She said: “This small enterprise project, set to receive an award of £32,500, is one of a number benefiting from the £3.8 million share of Leader and Scottish Government funds available for the development of rural communities and enterprise in Perthshire until 2020.

“This is a creative and innovative project which will help prevent the wastage of excess apples grown locally and we are pleased we have been able to support it.”

George Blues, a partner in Strathearn Cider Company, said the business was looking forward to making a local cider.

He said: “Perthshire has a fantastic history of producing great apples and we are looking forward to playing a part in growing its reputation for fantastic cider too.”

The project will involve the construction of a cider shed to allow the production of cider, and this summer sees the launch of the company’s new ‘Scruffy Dog Cider’ brand.

The new cider range, which includes medium dry and medium sweet bottlings, has been made using apples from Perthshire, including from Comrie Community Orchard at Cultybraggen, as well as apples from Herefordshire.