Moray Cup's Return Sparks Chaos in Scottish Town

The re-launch of a much-loved fizzy drink caused widespread chaos in the Scottish town of Macduff, leading to the intervention of local police.

Moray Cup, a sweet, bright red beverage popular in some parts of Scotland, had vanished from shelves seven years ago. Its return as a limited edition sparked a frenzy among fans, who turned out in droves, queuing for hours in the rain to get their hands on a bottle.

Roads in the normally tranquil town were choked with traffic as people flocked to the headquarters of cash and carry Deveron Direct, the only place selling the revived drink. The sheer number of shoppers caused gridlock, leading to complaints of bedlam.

Police were called to the scene and spoke to the business owner, Des Cheyne, about the situation. Warning signs were placed along the road in an attempt to alleviate the congestion and quell the excitement.

One eager customer, Arleen Ritchie, was forced to abandon her car at the bottom of the road due to the heavy traffic. Despite the inconvenience, she managed to secure three crates of Moray Cup before battling her way back to her vehicle with her purchases.

"It's mental," she said. "The road was completely blocked, and my car was going nowhere. But it's Moray Cup. It's been on the go since I was little. I've really missed it."

Another fan, Alys Swann, braved the crowds with her three-month-old baby, Brodie, on a mission from her husband, Angus, a teacher who was unable to leave work.

"He wouldn't forgive me if I didn't get any," she said. "We are buzzing. We didn't think they would ever bring it back. It's exciting times."

The return of Moray Cup has stirred up nostalgia for many in the north-east of Scotland, where it was a long-standing favourite for decades. It was often seen as a superior hangover cure to the iconic Irn Bru and the perfect accompaniment to a chippy supper.

The drink was sadly discontinued in 2017 due to a combination of business issues and the introduction of the sugar tax. However, its absence has been keenly felt, with numerous campaigns calling for its return.

Des Cheyne and his business partner, Kenneth West, finally decided the time was right to bring Moray Cup back to the shelves.

Deborah Alexander, who was first in the queue, had left home in Fraserburgh at 6am to ensure she could secure enough bottles for her customers at Marco's chippy.

"People are messaging us reserving some for tonight," she said. "It's a real local tradition. Everyone is so excited that it's back."

Morgan Nicol, a 15-year-old who joined her mother in the queue, said: "Oh my god. That is amazing. It's been crazy. When we first came it was dead and now it's mental."

Even those travelling from further afield, like David Henderson, who drove almost an hour from Elgin, expressed their excitement about the drink's return.

"It's such a staple drink," he said. "As soon as I heard it was coming back, I just had to get some. I can't believe how much I've missed it."

Moray Cup is currently available in crates of 12 bottles for £14.99, with a limit of three packs per person to ensure availability. While the relaunch is currently limited edition, Des Cheyne is hopeful that the strong demand will lead to its permanent return.

"We knew it would be popular, but we've been taken aback by the demand," he said. "We didn't expect this. This is the busiest day we've ever had. We wanted to do a nice thing for the community, and it's great that they've got behind it. I just hope the fizz doesn't go out of it."