PROTECTED Geographical Indicator status is a big mouthful to pronounce, but when it comes to food, it is certainly worth having.

Scotland already has a long list of food and drink on the EU list and now it looks likely that ‘Ayrshire early potatoes’ could be added to that list following a recommendation from Defra.

Certainly, early tatties and their superb taste tickle the taste buds of many from June onwards. Cooked in their jackets with a pinch of salt and a knob of butter is one of the culinary delights of the world!

While the acreage has declined somewhat over the past few years, attaining PGI status would surely reverse at least some of that decline.