Scottish cider company on mission to prove Scotland can produce ‘best cider in the world’

Owners of Lost Orchards Cider, which operates in partnership with major fruit growers in Scotland, said the country has been overlooked as a cider-producing nation for too long, despite its ability to grow high-quality fruit and produce award-winning cider with genuine provenance.

Sign up to our free Scran food and drink newsletter here

Its Pure Apple Cider won gold at the International Cider Awards before the brand had officially launched, beating major global cider companies in the Modern Cider class.

The cider is made using Scottish-grown and pressed apples, rather than imported concentrate, with the fruit washed, pressed and fermented using champagne yeast before being stored in stainless steel until ready.

Lost Orchards, which is based at East Adamston Farm near Muirhead on the outskirts of Dundee, has planted thousands of apple trees and last year produced just over 180 tonnes of apples, with yields growing considerably each year as the orchards mature.

Co-founder Angus Morrison said: “If Japan can make some of the world’s best award winning whisky, then there is no reason why Scotland can’t make world-class cider in the traditional way.

“For too long, people have assumed great cider only comes from places like Somerset, but we believe Scotland, particularly with changing weather patterns, is a sleeping giant of cider production which is just awakening.

“We grow beautiful fruit here, we have the expertise, and we have already proved that our Scottish cider can win on the international stage.

“We’re growing apples in Scotland, pressing them here, and making cider from our orchards and through our other contracted growers, while others import concentrate and put a Scottish label on it.

“Consumers increasingly care about provenance and traceability. They want to know where things come from, who made them and what they are supporting when they buy them.

“At the same time, independent drinks producers are under real pressure. Big global brands dominate so much of the market, but we think there is a real appetite for products that are independent, transparent and genuinely rooted in Scotland.

“There are so many Scottish Strivers out there - companies flying the flag for our country and building brilliant businesses here. We’re proud to be part of that movement”.

The company’s range includes Pure Apple, Scottish Dark Berries, Scottish Red Berries & Lime and a low-alcohol Pure Apple cider, with all products naturally gluten-free. All the fruits are supplied by the same farms, such as the Husband Family farm at East Adamson in Angus, where the first orchard was planted in 2012 and who have been growing fruit for 3 generations.

David Hay, one of the company's founders and major grower, said: “Seeing the trees in full blossom in the spring and full of fruit in the fall is incredibly rewarding, knowing that what we are producing on our farm ends up as an award-winning product enjoyed by thousands.

“Planting orchards is not a quick return. It takes time, patience and belief. But Scotland has the potential to grow excellent fruit at commercial scale, and we want to help bring that industry back.

“Every tree planted is part of a bigger story about Scottish agriculture, provenance and the future of cider.”

Angus added: “Tourists come to Scotland looking for the best of Scottish food and drink, but too often genuinely local producers are squeezed out by international products.

“We want genuine traditional cider to become part of modern Scottish food and drink culture: something people are proud to drink, stock and serve.”