The smokies were first produced in the 19th century at Auchmithie, a small fishing village a few miles north of Arbroath in Angus.

Iain Spink is a fifth generation smokie producer and uses the same methods as fishwives working in the late 1800s. His golden-hued fish is juicy with a meaty texture, and is sold at local farmers' markets and regional fairs.

In recent weeks, Arbroath-based Iain has also been named the Best Food Producer in Britain in the prestigious Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards 2006.

Runners-up in Scotland section of the UKTV competition were: Ferry Fish, near Newton Stewart - Allan Watson; Heart Buchanan Cafe, Glasgow - Fiona Buchanan; The Store, Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh - Andrew Booth; Farm House Kitchen, Solway Firth - Nova Gourlay; The Water Tower, Eskbank - Gerry Goldwyre; McPhies Craft Bakers, Glasgow -Jim McPhie and Fletcher Fine Foods, Auchtermuchty - John Fletcher.

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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