Alex Salmond may seem an unlikely culinary icon but cabinet colleague John Swinney is taking a leaf out of the First Minister's recipe book with a pledge to eat only Scottish produce for the next week.
Alex Salmond may seem an unlikely culinary icon but cabinet colleague John Swinney is taking a leaf out of the First Minister's recipe book with a pledge to eat only Scottish produce for the next week.
Mr Swinney is emulating the feat performed by the Holyrood leader, living solely on homegrown produce and locally reared meat.
Starting yesterday, St Andrew's Day, the Finance Secretary began enjoying the best of Scottish food, to promote healthy eating and support local businesses.
Preparing for the week, Mr Swinney visited the Blairgowrie Farm Shop to stock up on locally grown vegetables, which he will use in a range of homemade soups.
He will also be shopping in Edinburgh's IJ Mellis Cheesemonger, along with Stewart Reid's butchers in his home village of Burrelton. Recipes have been provided by top chef Martin Wishart.
Mr Swinney said: "From high-quality meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products, Scotland is blessed with some of the finest local produce anywhere in the world.
"We have an abundance of fantastic local businesses right across the country and supporting these businesses is important to the health of our high streets and communities."
The Finance Secretary added: "I buy my meat from the local butcher and my vegetables from the wide range of local producers as often as possible, but this week I'll be going a step further, using all Scottish ingredients in everything I eat.
"At a time of economic uncertainty, this is a really simple way to support local businesses, and boost the local and national economy. In the week we publish our ambitious Climate Change Bill, it can help our environment too."
The Climate Bill, unveiled later this week, was described yesterday by the government as "the most ambitious anywhere in the world", covering aviation and shipping emissions as well as all greenhouse gases.
Asked whether Mr Swinney would consider following the diet permanently, a spokesman said: "Mr Swinney endeavours at all times to eat Scottish'. That's exactly what he'll be doing throughout the next week."
