The ScotHot Innovation Awards in Glasgow celebrate the best of Scotland’s food, drink, hospitality, retail and tourism.

Brose Oats, Chocolate Tree, Belhaven Smokehouse and Buck & Birch were all among this year’s winners.

Congratulating them on their success, Douglas Alexander MP said:

“I’m delighted that East Lothian businesses enjoyed so much recognition at this year’s ScotHot Innovation Awards.

“This latest success further underlines the county’s status as one of the leading areas in Scotland’s excellent food and drink industry.

“I will always support local producers as they continue to enhance East Lothian’s outstanding reputation in the sector.”

Brose Oats, based in East Linton, produces a range of oat milks; Chocolate Tree, near East Linton, makes organic artisan chocolate; Belhaven Smokehouse, near West Barns, specialises in smoked salmon and trout; and Buck & Birch, based in Macmerry, produces a range of drinks formulated from local, foraged ingredients.

Fiona Richmond, head of regional food at Scotland Food & Drink, said:

“We know that our regional food groups play a pivotal role in the growth of Scotland’s food and drink industry as a whole, and East Lothian has certainly become a premier destination for food tourism too, providing a great range of opportunities for visitors to enjoy Scotland’s world-class, heritage-driven food and drink.

“Encompassing sea, coastline and rolling farmlands, the area’s reputation for high-quality produce has gone from strength to strength, and I’m sure we will see many more success stories in the years to come.”

Local entrepreneur George Mackintosh, who owns historic farm development Papple Steading, near Garvald, will be featuring Brose Oats, Chocolate Tree, Belhaven Smokehouse and Buck & Birch at the luxury retreat.

Mr Mackintosh said:

“East Lothian has become a magnet for tourism and we regularly host businesses and individuals from every corner of the planet.

“While they’re here, we want to showcase the county’s incredible food and drink and its provenance.”

He also credited Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh for driving innovation in the sector.