THREE Ayrshire businesses seized the opportunity to make significant connections with a targeted trade mission to Dublin.​

The trip was led by Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce with Blowin’ Free, Kelvin TOP-SET and SD Wind Energy joining the delegation.

Five other Scottish companies took part in the three-day visit aimed at fostering cross-border trade by linking with Scottish partners.

Claire Baird, Ayrshire Chamber CEO, said: “The initiative was a wonderful opportunity for three of our Chamber members to explore the Irish market and connect with potential partners.

"We were delighted to be able to facilitate the trip with our friends in Inverness and thrilled that the Ayrshire businesses wanted to take part.

“The positive feedback from our members and the Irish companies we engaged with demonstrates the strength of our local industries and the demand for Scottish products and expertise beyond our borders.”

Blowin’ Free is a farm-based micro gin distillery producing two smooth, versatile gins: Agronomist Blowin’ Free gin and Agronomist London Dry pink gin.

The company is keen to expand its market presence by working with Irish businesses that share its commitment to quality and sustainability.

They were joined by Kelvin TOP-SET, a leading specialist in incident investigations that wanted to consider the potential of basing its operations in Ireland.

Making up the Ayrshire Chamber trio was SD Wind Energy, a progressive global market leader for small-scale wind turbines and hybrid renewable energy systems.

The company was keen to build stronger links for export into Ireland as well as better understanding the process for connecting microgeneration to the grid in Ireland.

For more information on the Ayrshire Chamber, visit ayrshire-chamber.org.