Love Loch Lomond, The Oak Tree Inn, and Experience Glasgow Food & Drink Join Forces to Create a Unique Food Foraging Experience

We’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between Love Loch Lomond, The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha, and Experience Glasgow Food & Drink. This partnership will bring to life a unique Food Foraging Experience, set to be developed and piloted in the coming months.

This innovative project has been made possible thanks to the support of the Regional Food Fund, a scheme delivered by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership and funded by the Scottish Government. The fund is designed to boost regional growth by supporting projects that promote and sell local products.

Our Food Foraging Collaboration is one of twenty-two successful projects awarded funding, joining a diverse range of initiatives including food festivals, food and drink trails, markets, and online shops.

Our vision is to create a unique experience that combines the natural beauty of Loch Lomond with Glasgow’s rich culinary culture. This immersive experience includes an overnight stay, a guided tour in Balmaha where guests can learn about and harvest seasonal produce, followed by a cooking session using the gathered ingredients. The adventure continues on day 2 with a curated food tour in Glasgow, culminating in a delicious dinner showcasing Glasgow’s vibrant food scene.

This first pilot will test the concept with a view to developing it for the visitor market as a bookable culinary experience.

Karen Donnelly, Destination Manager at Love Loch Lomond, expressed her excitement: “Working with The Oak Tree Inn and Experience Glasgow to develop this immersive experience has been fantastic. We’re delighted to have secured a £5000 grant to assist us in launching and piloting this project, which we believe will be a hit with visitors from both the UK and overseas.”

The Oak Tree Inn Director, Stuart Fraser said: “I want to express my appreciation to Love Loch Lomond, our destination marketing organisation, and Anh at Experience Glasgow Food & Drink for their collaborative spirit in making our upcoming foraging and eating experience within Balmaha along the banks of Loch Lomond possible. A heartfelt thank you also the Regional Food Fund for their invaluable funding, allowing us to turn this vision into reality. Together, we are set to celebrate the rich tapestry of local flavours and the unique charm of this remarkable destination.

We can’t wait to trial this concept and collaboration in Balmaha, where the shores of Loch Lomond become a canvas for a unique foraging and eating experience, showcasing the bountiful local produce we have to offer and uniting both Loch Lomond and Glasgow.

Talented chefs and foragers from the local area will craft a culinary celebration that highlights the diverse and exquisite flavours found in our own backyard. This event not only promises a feast for the senses but also embodies the spirit of community and collaboration that defines our hospitality businesses.

Here's to the harmonious blend of community, cuisine, and the breath-taking beauty that unites us all on the shores of Loch Lomond.”

Anh Nguyen, Project Manager at Experience Glasgow added: “Experience Glasgow Food & Drink is delighted to be working with Love Loch Lomond on the pilot of a new food and drink experience combining the two destinations. Glasgow is the gateway to the stunning Loch Lomond, with such an abundance food and drink producer and operators - we’re looking forward to showcasing what the region has to offer.”

Relevant tags: @lovelochlomond @scotfooddrink #RegionalFoodFund @experienceglasgow @oaktreeinn