A NEW Scots brewery will be launched this week with its first beer named after a Highlands beauty spot.

The Randolph's Leap brew is named after a spot on the River Findhorn in Moray where in the 14th century Thomas Randolph was chasing one of his Comyn enemies, who leapt the river to escape.

Seb Jones, 25, will this week open his Speyside Craft Brewery in Forres. The former Forres Academy and Aberdeen University chemistry student had considered a career in the petro-chemical industry. But he wanted to do something different, and the prospect of improving on the beer he and his dad used to make in their garage seemed a good idea. So he came up with Moray IPA and Randolph's Leap lager.

Mr Jones is launching the brewery at The Mosset Tavern in Forres.

He said: "I want my beers to be sold far and wide, and I hope it attracts people to visit Moray."

Moray MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead said: "It is fantastic to see a young entrepreneur tapping into the demand for quality produce."