IT MAY not be the most obvious place for the Tories to break records for a fundraising dinner, but thanks to the support of one of the country’s richest men, Scotland is hosting a £1,000-a-table event that is expected to raise up to £600,000 — more than has ever been raised at a single dinner by any party.

The event, organised by the multimillionaire Sir Jack Harvie, is a clear indication of a growing confidence within the party’s ranks and is expected to boost David Cameron’s campaign substantially before the next general election.

Despite his relatively low profile, Sir Jack is renowned as the Conservative Party’s leading fundraiser in Scotland. If his £1 million 70th birthday celebrations last weekend were anything to go by, the latest bash is sure to be quite a do.

Sir Jack began organising the exclusive — and lucrative — “Focus on Scotland” dinners when Margaret Thatcher was party leader. But even his legendary skills were put under strain during the Conservative Party’s turbulent recent past.

Mr Cameron admitted last November that the party in Scotland was “flatlining” and vowed to do something about the problem. Yesterday, a source close to Sir Jack said: “When the party went into the doldrums he found it harder and harder to get people to cough up but, with its resurgent fortunes, it has become easier.

“With his contacts book, Jack can pick up the phone to captains of industry and by the time he puts it down, their wallets are £3,000 lighter.”

The dinner will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow next month.

Sir Jack was awarded a knighthood for “public and political service” in 1997. His fundraiser in 2004 raised £330,000. He was not available for comment last night.

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