A group of 29 local dairy farmers launched a bid to save Campbeltown Creamery, which owner First Milk has put up for sale. The takeover bid includes the creamery and the Mull of Kintyre cheddar brand.

The Mull of Kintyre Milk Supply Cooperative will use the levy from every litre of milk produced, along with additional external funding, to buy the plant and cheese rights.

Part of the external funding package includes a crowdfunding campaign, which seeks to raise £50,000 towards the purchase. The group also hopes to gain political support, as Scottish Government targets aspire for more local brands and food production.

Dairy farms in the area need the creamery in order to thrive

Local dairy farmer and member of the buyer group, Thomas Cameron, said: “We are currently facing a huge and exciting opportunity with a clear mission – to secure the future of the Campbeltown Creamery for the benefit of the Kintyre community. We will also be in a position to save a well-known brand and contribute to Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink.

“Dairy farms in the area need the creamery in order to thrive and the creamery needs us. Given the challenges of sustaining a vibrant

economy in this remote part of Scotland, the role of the dairy sector in Kintyre is fundamental to its success. Mull of Kintyre cheddar is made to a long-established recipe and it is its provenance as well as taste which is sought by buyers, including those from Tesco and Sainsbury’s, from across the UK.

This is a bold and inspiring bid from producers in Kintyre to preserve their creamery

“Our farmers are young, enthusiastic, committed to sustainability, investment and the next generation, and have strong integrity – they are just the right group of people to secure this deal.

NFU Scotland milk committee chair, John Smith, who is also one of 29 producers suppling milk to the Campbeltown Creamery said: “This is a bold and inspiring bid from producers in Kintyre to preserve their creamery and to continue making world-famous, award-winning Mull of Kintyre cheddar.

“These hard-working family farms have built their businesses with a view to continuing to milk cows; building and promoting the Mull of Kintyre brand locally and nationally, and are looking positively to the future.”

The Mull of Kintyre crowdfunding campaign can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mokcheddar

Meanwhile, First Milk has announced that its member premium will increase from 0.25ppl to 0.5ppl from April 2020.

The rise has been put down to consistent delivery of improved financial results being achieved by the business.