Moray Cup Makes a Fizz-ical Comeback: Hundreds Queue for Beloved Soft Drink
Hundreds of eager fans queued for hours outside Deveron Direct's Macduff warehouse this morning, desperate to get their hands on the newly relaunched Moray Cup. The iconic red "fruit flavour" fizzy drink has returned after a seven-year absence, sparking a wave of nostalgia among locals and beyond.
The much-loved beverage is being produced as a "limited edition" for the cash and carry wholesaler, who will be the exclusive stockist. Originally manufactured by Macduff-based Sangs, and later by Cott Macduff, the brand was acquired by Refresco in 2018. Now, Refresco has brought Moray Cup back to life for a new generation of fans.
Excitement was palpable as customers lined up from around 7am, eager to savour a taste of the north-east staple. Deveron Direct opened its doors at 9am, with a steady stream of people eager to secure their bottles.
One devoted fan, Fraserburgh resident Neil Shirron, had been waiting since 7.30am. Driven by a sense of nostalgia, he walked away with three cases of 12 bottles, costing £14.99 a pack. "Iâm hoping itâs exactly the same," he said, adding, "I donât think itâll be much different to be honest." Shirron reminisced about his childhood in Portlethen, where he'd enjoyed Moray Cup in Aberdeen.
John Wilson and his wife travelled from Peterhead, braving the Buchan coast journey for a taste of their beloved drink. Wilson, who has "fond memories" of Moray Cup, expressed hope for a permanent return of the iconic beverage. He declared his plans for the evening, stating, "I'm going to try it with a wee mixer."
The sheer volume of excited fans even prompted a police presence, with officers called to manage the heavy traffic congestion in the area. Perhaps the youngest customer at the relaunch was 16-week-old Brodie Swan, accompanied by her mother Alys. Brodie's father Angus, a teacher at Turriff Primary School, had entrusted his wife with the mission of securing some Moray Cup for him. "Daddy will be chuffed," Alys chuckled, adding, "My husband would never really forgive me if I hadn't managed to get it." Alys expressed her delight at the return of the iconic drink, stating, "It's an iconic drink, everyone remembers it from their childhood. I didn't think they'd never bring it back."
Not only were individuals eager to relish the taste of Moray Cup, but businesses were also keen to stock up. Laura Kurteshi, owner of St Modans Fish and Chips in Peterhead, was second in line, securing a supply for her establishment. "We know it's going to be like Prime, with people going crazy for it," she remarked. Kurteshi had even launched a competition on her chipper's Facebook page the previous night, offering three lucky winners a bottle of Moray Cup.
"We've already had phone calls and private messages to the page asking for people to reserve bottles," she added, highlighting the overwhelming demand.
Des Cheyne, director of Deveron Direct, expressed his astonishment at the public's response. "We knew there would be a good response, but I suppose we are overwhelmed at the response thereâs been," he said. Deveron Direct had recognised a void in the local market and responded to a social media campaign calling for the return of Moray Cup. "We put our heads together and asked if we could work in conjunction with Refresco," Cheyne explained, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the relaunch.
Asked about the future of Moray Cup, Cheyne quipped, "As long as the fizz doesn't go out of it." While the meaning behind his statement remains unclear, one thing is certain: those lucky enough to snag a bottle of the iconic drink will be enjoying a taste of nostalgia for the foreseeable future.
