A TRIO of Gourock pals are in high spirits after landing a contract at the Scottish Parliament.

Titan Spirits, which was launched a year ago by Neill Forrest, Stuart Drake and Gordon McInnes, celebrated its first anniversary by clinching a deal at Holyrood to be stocked at the bar there.

The trio visited the parliament with local MSP Stuart McMillan to toast the agreement.

The Inverclyde inspired drink is a fusion of Caribbean rum and the local area and is proving popular locally and further afield.

Co-owner Stuart, a retired police officer, said: "We had been in touch with Stuart McMillan as we have been very interested in what he is doing to celebrate heritage in the area, including his plans for a slavery museum.

"He invited us through to Holyrood for the day and we got speaking to those who run the bar and things went from there.

"They have us on display in the bar and were really impressed with our offerings.

"It's a big deal for us - we are a small local business, so to have exposure like this is brilliant and we're really grateful to Stuart for the opportunity."

Titan's tipple chalked up 2,000 sales in its first year and the founders are confident that the business has a bright future.

Stuart said: "We have been so well supported locally, our spirit is in 40 premises now from The Black Cat to the Gleddoch Hotel.

"We've also been really well received in Glasgow and are stocked in the Radisson Red Hotel.

"We saw an opportunity and took it and it's been a hugely enjoyable first year for the business.

"Now we will just keep going and see where things go another year down the line."

MSP Mr McMillan said: "The parliament gift shop already stocks chocolate from The New Chocolate Company in Port Glasgow, and I was keen to get more Inverclyde suppliers into Holyrood.

"I was delighted that after speaking to the bar manager at Holyrood and giving him a sample of Titan’s spiced rum that he decided to stock it.

"The Titan guys have done really well in a short space of time and I am really interested in their plans to grow the business.

"If any other Inverclyde suppliers would like me to make an introduction for them to the parliament’s procurement team, please get in touch.”