posted 2.02pm, Friday April 19

Dairy company First Milk has announced that it proposes ending more than 40 years of cheese-making on the Isle of Bute by closing the Rothesay Creamery.

The closure, if it goes ahead, will potentially affect up to 19 people working at the site with First Milk planning to transport the milk supplied by the 14 dairy farmers on the island across to the Scottish mainland.

Councillor Robert Macintyre, himself a director of First Milk and a Bute farmer, said: “The intention of First Milk to close Rothesay Creamery will have a devastating effect on the dairy industry and the local economy on the Island of Bute.

“The proposed closure would bring to an end cheese-making on the Island which commenced in 1954.
“The new Rothesay Creamery opened in May 1991. It has dedicated staff working in a modern facility which produces an excellent product which First Milk states it cannot market successfully.  At a time when fragile rural areas are being encouraged to market local food this decision is difficult to comprehend.

“First Milk intends building a new creamery in Kintyre, yet at the same time announces it wishes to close a first rate facility on the Island of Bute. The logic is baffling.

“It states that the Creamery is losing £500,000 per year. The cheese is first class, but the failure of First Milk’s Sales Team to sell Bute Cheese to the proper high value markets is the reason for this loss.
“If Isle of Bute Cheese was sold into the niche markets as it should be, this loss would be transformed into a profit.   We should also remind ourselves this cheese has won gold awards at both the Royal Highland Show and the Nantwich Show, both recognised as the two main cheese shows in the UK. 
“I would urge First Milk to reconsider this devastating decision.”