The company's eponymous brand retained its position as the leading sparkling brand in 2011 with a 13.2% share by volume. The company said the share was more than double that of Highland Spring's nearest competitor. It said Highland Spring is second behind the leading still brand, Evian.

The company increased turnover by 15% amid "steady" market conditions in 2011, to a record £79.8 million, from £69.3m in 2010.

Chief executive Les Montogomery said the Pethshire-based firm is confident of reporting increases in turnover and underlying profitability this year. It expects to sell more than 200 million litres of Highland Spring compared to 183 million in 2010.

"This performance consolidates Highland Spring's position as the leading supplier of bottled water in the UK, with one in every five litres of bottled water consumed being delivered by the Highland Spring Group," said Mr Montgomery.

The growth in sales also reflected the launch of the Hydr8 brand that Highland Spring created in response to demand from "increasingly price conscious consumers".

Mr Montgomery said the growth enabled the company to absorb some significant raw material cost price increases during 2011.

Highland Spring, which has sponsored tennis star Andy Murray for five years until February 2011, saw operating profits rise by around £1m to £5.6m.