A fabulous feast for Firth's fiftieth
Colin Firth, Hollywood heart throb of Mr Darcy and Bridget Jones fame is celebrating his 50th birthday during Scotland's Year of Food and Drink (10 September).
Scotland's national tourist organisation, VisitScotland, is offering him inspiration to enjoy a birthday feast in one of his favourite holiday destinations, the west coast of Scotland.
When asked by The Times Online for his favourite holiday destinations in the world, Colin said "Everyone who's travelled has places that loom largest in their affections, and for me it's the west of Scotland. I first holidayed there with a friend when I was 25. Then I filmed around Loch Fyne a few years ago, around the time I was about to get married, and it seemed imbued with an impossibly romantic glow."
Gaynyr Dickson, spokesperson for food and drink at VisitScotland, said: "It's easy to see why the west of Scotland is one of Colin Firth's favourite holiday destinations as it offers a wealth of top quality, locally-sourced food and drink as well as breath-taking scenery, which is particularly colourful in autumn. As Colin's birthday falls during Scotland's Year of Food and Drink, an autumnal Scottish feast seems like the perfect way for him to celebrate this special birthday."
His golden celebrations could take place at one of the special events taking place in the west coast of Scotland as part of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight (4-19 September), a key event in Scotland's Year of Food and Drink calendar. This includes:
eatBute (10th -12th September 2010) takes place in the stunning Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute where Stella McCartney got married. eatBute is a celebration of fresh, seasonal and locally produced food. Now an annual event in the island's calendar, it showcases the finest produce from Bute and the surrounding areas of Argyll, as well as showing the importance of eating food that is good, clean and fair - in line with the values of 'Slow Food'. mountstuart.com
Waterfront Oban's five course celebratory seasonal set menu of locally sourced food cooked by the restaurant's Executive Chef. The mouth watering menu costs £45 and includes Isle of Mull Glengorm Estate highland beef, local Argyll pork, Oban landed fish, Isle of Mull scallops and Isle of Mull cheese. The full menu will be revealed on the morning of the event, but will include suggestions for local Oban beers and whiskies to accompany the dishes. waterfrontoban.co.uk
The Three Lochs Book and Arts Festival, an inspiring mini-festival on the shores of beautiful Loch Sunart. The programme will include author's talks, children's events, film and workshops, all accompanied by some great local food and drink. threelochs.co.uk
There are also special Farmer's Markets taking place across the area including Campbeltown and Oban and Lorn, which showcase some of the finest and freshest locally-sourced produce.
Recently visited by the Hairy Bikers, Argyll and the west coast of Scotland is famed for its high quality food produce, so it would also be easy for Colin to arrange his own party in one of the areas stunning properties.
His feast could include a wide range of delicious locally-sourced food including a sumptuous seafood feast of smoked salmon, crab and the world-famous Loch Fyne oysters, packed with zinc and perhaps responsible for the 'romantic glow' he describes! From the land he could savour local Barbreck beef, succulent lamb or Winston Churchill venison served with locally-grown herbs and seasonal vegetables. For dessert, there's Bumble Puddings and ice cream and chocolate from the nearby Isle of Arran, all washed down with a wee dram from one of the many whisky distilleries in the region or an award-winning Arran ale.
To find out more about Scotland's food and drink or to plan your autumn break, visit: visitscotland.com/harvest