Latest news with #Finlays
Edinburgh Live
07-07-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh man leads tributes for 'caring and selfless' friend after tragic loss
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh man has completed a touching for his best friend after a tragic loss. Thomas Robertson met Finlay MacDonald at school in Edinburgh, and the pair went on to study at the University of St Andrews. Finlay was lost to suicide last year, with those who loved him hailing him as a 'caring and selfless' young man. On July 6, Thomas ran from St Andrews to Merchiston Castle School in the capital. He was joined by friends and family for the final kilometre, and feels 'relieved to have something so terrible have a positive impact'. The run raised over £28,800 for Scottish Action for Mental Health. It will support at least 12 schools, who will benefit from the charity's peer supporter programme. Thomas, 20, said: "I wanted to start my run at Finlay's university in St Andrews, before finishing at our school in Edinburgh where we were classmates. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "The run gave me a lot of time to think about Finlay, and how lucky I was to have him as a friend. It was really fun waking up every day knowing you're going to see your best friend. "There are so many Finlays out there who have lost their lives to suicide, and it just shows how much more we need to do. "I'm relieved that something so terrible that happened will now have a positive impact on schools in Edinburgh. People see the value in supporting mental health, and I'm really grateful that people have been generous enough to donate." (Image: SAMH) Catriona Wilson, Mass Participation Events Manager at SAMH, said: 'It's been an absolute privilege to support Thomas in this challenge, and to witness the strength and heart he's poured into honouring Finlay's memory in such a powerful way. "Thomas's incredible efforts have helped reduce the stigma around suicide and encouraged people to open up and ask for help. With his help, and everyone who has donated, at least 12 additional schools will now benefit from SAMH's Peer Supporter programme." Rev. Nick Blair, Chaplain at Merchiston Castle School where Thomas and Finlay were pupils together, said:"Community defines Merchiston. A year ago, we mourned with the MacDonald family after losing their beloved Finlay. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "Today, we unite again, supporting his close friend Thomas, whose fundraising effort in Finlay's memory is deeply moving. The solidarity from old boys, parents, staff and pupils shows who we are: a community that stands together. "It's also a moment to stress that young men must never feel ashamed to discuss their mental health. Breaking silence saves lives. "Today, we run with Thomas and raise our voices with SAMH, honouring Finlay and supporting vital mental health work."
Scotsman
20-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Finlays Crisps debuts at Royal Highland Show as supplier celebrates 15 years with Aldi Scotland
Taylors Fourth-generation Perthshire producer to showcase exclusive range at the iconic show Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aldi Scotland has revealed its line-up for the iconic Royal Highland Show, with longstanding supplier Taylors Snacks, the Perthshire-based producer behind its exclusive Finlays crisp range, making an appearance at its marquee for the first time. Established in the rural village of Errol and led by fourth-generation family member James Taylor, Taylors Snacks is a proud Scottish business supporting local communities through employment and sourcing. Around 45% of the potatoes used in its crisps are grown in Scotland, with the majority of those coming from East Lothian. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taylors has worked in partnership with Aldi for more than 15 years, after the supermarket became the brand's first-ever national listing under its original Mackie's branding. Since then, the relationship has grown from strength to strength, evolving into a unique collaboration through the creation of Finlays – a crisp range produced exclusively for Aldi Scotland. Taylors Visitors to the Royal Highland Show will be able to sample Finlays' full flavour lineup, including customer favourites such as Mature Cheddar & Onion; and Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar & Pickled Onion as part of Aldi's showcase of Scottish food and drink producers. The event comes at a time of continued momentum for the popular snack category in Scotland. According to Taylors, crisps have recently enjoyed a stronger performance north of the border compared with the rest of the Great Britain. This trend is driven by more Scottish consumers choosing premium crisps more frequently. Scotland has outperformed the rest of GB when it comes to engagement with premium savoury snacks, highlighting a strong and growing appetite for high-quality locally made products. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad James Taylor, Managing Director at Taylors Snacks, said: 'To be appearing at Aldi's marquee at the Royal Highland Show for the first time is a huge moment for us as a business. We're proud of our Scottish roots, and this is a brilliant opportunity to share Finlays crisps with thousands of visitors. James Taylor 'Our partnership with Aldi stretches back over 15 years. It was our first supermarket listing, and the retailer has been a vital part of our growth journey. The development of Finlays as an Aldi-exclusive range has been a fantastic collaboration, and we're excited to showcase it in such a high-profile setting.' Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: 'Taylors Snacks is a fantastic example of the kind of long-term partnerships we're proud to build at Aldi Scotland. From our very first listing over 15 years ago to the exclusive development of Finlays, its innovation and commitment to Scottish sourcing makes it a valued part of our supplier network. 'The Royal Highland Show celebrates the best of Scotland's food and farming, so it is the perfect stage to introduce even more people to the quality of Finlays crisps.' This year's Royal Highland Show runs from Thursday 19th to Sunday 22 June in Ingliston, Edinburgh. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.
Scotsman
19-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Finlays Crisps debuts at Royal Highland Show as supplier celebrates 15 years with Aldi Scotland
Aldi Scotland Fourth-generation Perthshire producer to showcase exclusive range at the iconic show Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aldi Scotland has revealed its line-up for the iconic Royal Highland Show, with longstanding supplier Taylors Snacks, the Perthshire-based producer behind its exclusive Finlays crisp range, making an appearance at its marquee for the first time. Established in the rural village of Errol and led by fourth-generation family member James Taylor, Taylors Snacks is a proud Scottish business supporting local communities through employment and sourcing. Around 45% of the potatoes used in its crisps are grown in Scotland, with the majority of those coming from East Lothian. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taylors has worked in partnership with Aldi for more than 15 years, after the supermarket became the brand's first-ever national listing under its original Mackie's branding. Since then, the relationship has grown from strength to strength, evolving into a unique collaboration through the creation of Finlays – a crisp range produced exclusively for Aldi Scotland. Taylors Visitors to the Royal Highland Show will be able to sample Finlays' full flavour lineup, including customer favourites such as Mature Cheddar & Onion; and Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar & Pickled Onion as part of Aldi's showcase of Scottish food and drink producers. The event comes at a time of continued momentum for the popular snack category in Scotland. According to Taylors, crisps have recently enjoyed a stronger performance north of the border compared with the rest of the Great Britain. This trend is driven by more Scottish consumers choosing premium crisps more frequently. Scotland has outperformed the rest of GB when it comes to engagement with premium savoury snacks, highlighting a strong and growing appetite for high-quality locally made products. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad James Taylor, Managing Director at Taylors Snacks, said: 'To be appearing at Aldi's marquee at the Royal Highland Show for the first time is a huge moment for us as a business. We're proud of our Scottish roots, and this is a brilliant opportunity to share Finlays crisps with thousands of visitors. Taylors 'Our partnership with Aldi stretches back over 15 years. It was our first supermarket listing, and the retailer has been a vital part of our growth journey. The development of Finlays as an Aldi-exclusive range has been a fantastic collaboration, and we're excited to showcase it in such a high-profile setting.' Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: 'Taylors Snacks is a fantastic example of the kind of long-term partnerships we're proud to build at Aldi Scotland. From our very first listing over 15 years ago to the exclusive development of Finlays, its innovation and commitment to Scottish sourcing makes it a valued part of our supplier network. 'The Royal Highland Show celebrates the best of Scotland's food and farming, so it is the perfect stage to introduce even more people to the quality of Finlays crisps.'
