Police are hunting tea leaf thieves who raided Scotland’s first tea plantation.
Plant hunters targeted the remote, hillside site at Amulree, Perthshire, while its owner was away due to ill health.
The Science and Advice unit of Scottish Argriculture (SAGA) believes thousands of plants may have been stolen from the Wee Tea Plantation and sold to growers south of the border.
Owner Tam O’Braan said he has even had to physically chase raiders off his land.
Mr O’Braan was forced to take a break due to a work related-heart problem while finalising a new tea factory.
Produce from the Dalreoch Farm site has become the leaf of choice for some of the world’s most exclusive tea drinkers, as well as elite retailers and hotels in the UK, France and America.
Among the company’s clients are the Dorchester Hotel and Fortnum and Mason in London, as well as the Lowell Hotel in New York.
However, after reaching maximum output of handmade tea last year, a micro tea factory was needed to meet growing demand from global buyers.
Mr O’Braan said: “I had to take time away from the business and was amazed people took advantage of this to steal our plants.
“It has shaken my faith.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
* For more on this story see Monday’s Courier, also available as a digital edition.
