Scotland’s first ever Ice Cream Trail has been launched to coincide with the Year of Food and Drink themed month of Delicious Dairy in August.

The Milk Barn in Falkirk have spearheaded the campaign, which is designed to celebrate and promote the nation’s favourite dairy delicacy.

It’s estimated that the ice cream market is worth £1 billion to the UK economy and ice cream remains an integral part of Scottish culture.

Leaflets highlighting over 100 different ice cream businesses, from Kirkwall to Castle Douglas, will be available at relevant outlets, as well as online at Think Local and VisitScotland websites.

Scotland's Food Secretary Richard Lochhead, said: “I’m delighted to hear that Scotland’s Ice Cream Trail has been launched– our dairy produce is among the best in the world and it extends to so much more than milk.

"I would certainly encourage everyone to follow the trail and make a point of tasting some of our delicious Scottish ice cream.”

All over the country, parlours, shops and cafes sell homemade ice cream to their own specific recipe - some a well-kept secret handed down through generations, others a completely new venture.

Leaflets highlighting over 100 different ice cream businesses, from Kirkwall to Castle Douglas, will be available at relevant outlets, as well as online at Think Local and VisitScotland websites.

Suzannah Reid from The Milk Barn said: "We’re delighted to be part of Scotland’s Ice Cream Trail and look forward to welcoming lots of new visitors as a result.

"Our ice cream is made using milk from our very own herd of cows, which are milked just yards away every morning, to make a wonderful and diverse range of flavours which delight our many customers.”