Former Prime Minister picks up a haggis in Peebles during surprise visit
Former Prime Minister Theresa May took time to buy some locally-produced haggis during a special visit to Peebles.
The long-serving MP for Maidenhead was in the Borders to attend a roundtable meeting with south of Scotland business people from a variety of sectors.
She joined local MP and former Cabinet colleague David Mundell, who chaired and helped organise the event, in the Peebles Hydro.
Lady May had just returned from a speaking engagement at the World Economic Forum at Davos in the Swiss Alps.
Keen to acquire some locally-produced haggis for Burns night, and accompanied by her security detail, the ex-premier and Mr Mundell headed for Forsyths’ legendary butchers shop in the town’s Eastgate.
There, Lady May met members of the Forsyth family who run the butchers shop and the neighbouring bakery and also chatted to staff and shoppers.
Husband and wife team Mike and Louise Forsyth stated they were pleased by the interest Lady May had shown in the family enterprise.
Louise, a delegate at the Peebles Hydro gathering, said: “We really enjoyed welcoming Lady May to Forsyths, delighted to supply her with a haggis and were pleased that she took the time to engage with us, taking on board the challenges local businesses are facing.”
Those taking part in the roundtable, who enjoyed a Hydro high tea, included representatives from agriculture, hospitality, retail and the wider service sector.
Amongst those contributing to the discussion was Peebles and Crieff Hydro chief executive Stephen Leckie, who along with associated hotels, holds a variety of other roles including chairman of the Scottish Tourism Alliance and a director of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce.
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale representative David Mundell said: “It was a very constructive discussion and I know Theresa, with her interest in business and the economy, appreciated hearing the views and experiences outlined.
“Indeed, some of the feedback mirrors what she is hearing from the business community in her own south of England constituency. They include points we will both highlight to colleagues at Westminster.
“I’d like to thank Stephen Leckie and his team at Peebles Hydro for all they did to facilitate this event.”
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