Waitrose cherries

Scottish Waitrose stores will be stocking only cherries grown north of the border for the next few weeks after favourable growing conditions led to a bumper crop.

Perthshire grower and Berry Gardens member Thomas Thomson supplies three cherry varieties to the premium retailer – Kordia, Lapins and Sweetheart – all of which suit Scotland’s colder climate.

Nicki Baggott, Waitrose fruit buyer, said: “We are committed to sourcing locally whenever possible and these Scottish cherries are a prime example of the high-quality produce available from Scotland throughout the year.

“We choose our cherries very carefully and only buy a small number of varieties that we know have the best flavour and are top quality. Working closely with Thomas Thomson ensures we get consistently sweet tasting cherries in every punnet.”

Peter Thomson of Thomas Thomson, said: “We are very excited about this fantastic new growing venture with our cherries supplying Scottish Waitrose branches with the tastiest fruit.”

Waitrose has branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newton Mearns, Stirling, Helensburgh and Milngavie.