Issue 1 - Country Lifestyle Scotland
Transcription
Issue 1 - Country Lifestyle Scotland
lifestyle C O U N T R Y Scotland’s rural lifestyle guide ISSUE 1 Produced in association with Food and Drink | Arts and Crafts | Country Sports Homes and Gardens | Country Fashion | Travel | -#/ C!86/=!=* 9=2 84;;<:6 8/:1!5/ ,<: 05<6C9=2B8 ,9:A!=* 9=2 C9=2>798/2 5<AA4=!6% .).. +++ (+$$ ?<=29%"':!29% @3..9A>&3..;A *"- $/*%8;.* 9-<0!5- !9 ><?0!1-1 7# 2./+E3 .5?66!9" '":<!6# =?3.',,BC&C A':FF9 5?96 6"- 9:D- :9 96:@1:<1 5:FF9 6? ,( :@1 ,& @4D7-<93 $/*%8;.* 1-<!0-9 @? !@5?D- )<?D 5:FF93 COUNTRYlifestyle / 3 life COUNTRY Scotland’s rural lifestyle guide Welcome to the first issue of life COUNTRY Food and drink: Country sports: Seriously Good Venison, from Trigger happy, an Auchtermuchty, plus recipe introduction to country sports pages 6 and 7 pages 10 and 11 Homes and gardens: Arts and crafts: Brush up on your All Consuming – teaching watercolour, and weaving, good life skills pages 14 to 17 skills pages 20 to 21 PLUS: Dates for your diary pages 18 to 19 This issue’s ‘must have’ page 19 Fashion: Discover Oban’s best kept country fashion secret pages 22 to 26 Travel: take an organised trip to the big city with the help of TLC From the publishers of page 28 I am delighted to welcome you to the first issue of our new, free, magazine, which I hope you will enjoy browsing through. Country Lifestyle is aimed at those who already know the many advantages of living in Scotland’s beautiful countryside. I know there is no point in preaching to those that are already converted. The aim of this magazine is to enhance your rural lifestyle, by bringing you features and information on the issues that affect us all. In this issue we have focused on a few specific topics: in our food and drink section we take a look at deer farming – its role in both the kitchen and on the hills. Country sports may not appeal to all, but we have an interesting viewpoint from a lifelong shooting fan, Douglas Boatman. Homes and gardens goes down the route of ‘The good life’ by featuring a duo who teach the skills needed to enjoy the fruits of the land. Arts and crafts looks into what courses are available to those who fancy brushing up on their artistic skills. Fashion ... well, we couldn’t ignore clothes could we? We found a fantastic new company from Oban which produces hand-made clothes. Please remember that this is as new to us, as it is to you, and we would love to hear your thoughts or suggestions for topics or features. Please get in touch – we will be delighted to hear from you. [email protected] To advertise in Country Lifestyle please contact Louise Jane McDonald on 0141 302 7368 or email: [email protected] The future of Scotland’s food and drink Ray Jones, takes over at the helm on April 1 By Karen Carruth ON APRIL 1, Ray Jones, chief executive of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society, will retire and immediately take over the role of chairman of Scotland Food and Drink (SFD) – not your average retirement then! “Yes, I have been trying to fit a day’s fishing in for months, but it is unlikely that is going to happen now,” says Ray, as we meet in the boardroom of Ingliston House, with his perfectly behaved Labrador snoozing under the desk. After 13 years at RHAS, it is time to move on, and Ray, an Englishman, says he is flattered to have been considered for this post and excited about the challenge that lies ahead. “At my age, 63, I still consider myself a young person. I can see lots of things that need to be done, and I am keen on getting into something that I can see real potential in. The need for change is there at SFD and I have been working alongside SFD as well as here at RHAS – as the roles overlap in many ways – so I am happy to postpone the fishing for a while yet.” SFD was launched in 2007 as an initiative of Richard Lochhead, the Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary, with 50% of funding coming from the Scottish Government, Highland and Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the other 50% coming from membership. Scotland Food and Drink, with its vision to build Scotland’s international reputation as ’A land of food and drink’, has its work cut out, in a fiercely competitive market. Ray says: “The whole purpose is to get people eating and drinking Scottish food, whether it is within Scotland, the UK, Europe, USA or the rest of the world and in order to do that we have to establish a quality brand which promotes the premium produce that Scotland has. “Although, we can’t do that straight away, as we don’t have the funds yet – SFD is only a few years old – we are growing quickly. In the last 12 months we’ve had a 67% rise in membership numbers. One of our challenges is to unite the different sectors of the food and drinks industry under one ‘umbrella’ brand, to make the most of the huge amount of experience and skill that these sectors have in abundance.” Looking at the Scots’ presence on a global field, there is no doubt that the big boys are the whisky producers. There is not a country in the world where you can’t find Scotch whisky, and Ray says that the status our whisky is protected by trade-marking. There have been attempts to copy it, of course, but we have been tough on protecting it, which is essential. “We have some way to go to match the success of the whisky sector – they are doing £4bn plus a year, whereas the food industry is not quite at £1bn yet. But if the right Whether you want infrastructure is there, there is no reason that we can’t take a larger slice of the global market – but we have to learn to walk before we can run.” “It is important that we build our brand here, make a better job of the product and the distribution in our own market first before we try to compete abroad. We can still grow our market in the rest of the UK, as it is right next door to us; next to that is Europe, then there are places like North America, where a strong Scottish contingent helps, and we already have lots of product being shipped to Hong Kong and Singapore.” Of course, promoting food on the global market is just one side of SFD’s membership benefits. Members receive a list of benefits which is, frankly, an eye watering read (33 bullet points on the website... check it out at www. scotlandfoodanddrink.co.uk). Help is at every level. No matter what your issues are, SFD will have someone who can help clarify, advise, or physically come to you to remedy a problem. As a basic explanation of benefits, here are a few: A skills academy has been launched which is invaluable in furthering education; marketing advice; website compliance audit; meet the buyers events; sales managers for hire; supplier development programmes; legal advice, excellence awards; brand reviews ... the list goes on. All of the companies I contacted, who are members, only had glowing reports to give of the help they had received. Ray hopes that in the next 12 months that the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales they will create another category for the small primary producer, not so much those that are growing, but those who are first-stage, primary processors, like cheesemakers etc, who feel the need to be part of something bigger. “We are all about collaboration. How can those people get into the supermarkets? They need lots of support for that with things like distribution hubs as the cost of getting things to market, if you haven’t got a lorry load, can be prohibitive. Those are big issues for small producers, and that’s where we can help with our expertise.” Looking to the future of SFD, how will success be measured? “I think for us we have clear goals to achieve – one is to have a Scottish Food and Drink industry which is worth £17.5bn by 2015. It currently is at £10bn, so there is a way to go yet, but it is clearly achievable,” smiles Ray. “I have no hesitation in saying – what is there to stop us? If we have the right quality product and we can deliver on time, we will be in a good position to compete with those people in Europe who believe they are equally good, if not better than the Scots. But when you taste our meat, our drinks, food, we have some excellent combinations and the quality and freshness speaks volumes.” The one thing that Ray did point out was the Scots’ complete inability to promote themselves. “As a nation, they are bloody awful at promotion. They are a tremendous race (I’m married to one, so I have to be careful), but there comes a stage when you have to stand up and say, ‘this product is unbelievable, it is the best there is in the market place,’ and Scots are not good at that. It is the willingness to win that matters, but it is vitally important that we are fervent about having that passion.” “Scotland already has a wonderful, natural brand – who doesn’t smile when you talk about Scotland. People think of castles, hills, history, and we make no bones about the fact that we use that scenic brand to our own advantage. You have to use what is already there, and we can benefit from being seen as a quality producer, environmentally sustainable with lots of clean air around us – it helps sell the product.” So, on April 1, are the fishing rods being put away forever? “I hope not. But I will say that I am grateful for the amount of support I have had, e-mails, letters etc, congratulating me on this appointment. “I have had a lifetime in the food and drinks industry and some of that is on the farming side, but my first love has always been agriculture. I am a different person to the last chairman, he did a good job, and it is up to me now, along with the board, to take it a few stages further. It is like any of the roles we play; it is not you as the individual, it is the support you get from the people in the industry that makes a difference.” Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide Whether you want the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Uplands ...Lowlands ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales Farm Stay has the solution. Over 1200 fully inspected properties Meet real country people Enjoy farmhouse meals with fresh produce Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide 6 / COUNTRYlifestyle Scotti with a ‘serio By Philippa Stephen Photographs: Niall Robertson FROM RELATIVELY humble beginnings, jeweller Nichola Fletcher and her veterinary-trained husband, John, have dedicated the last four decades of their lives to developing their Fife-based entrepreneurial farming partnership of venison into a household name. There is quite simply now an invaluable, but yet unspoken, kudos which surrounds serving John and Nichola Fletcher flanking Vikki Banks, who is taking over the management of the deer venison cuisine, if it is sourced from the Fletchers of farming at Reediehill TSF Auchermuchty. As a remarkably lean meat, venison easily sells itself with its low-fat health benefits – but what you can be The Fletchers of offered from the Fletchers’ ‘Seriously Good Venison’, Auchtermuchty’s Seriously in terms of their all-encompassing knowledge of not Good Venison can be only the history and inherent quality of their produce, bought online from but also how to cook and serve it to its absolute best. their website www. This provides more of an ‘ultimate’ experience of seriouslygoodvenison.co.uk grandeur to your dinner table, than simply any old cut Or alternatively, you will find of other red meat. them at the following farmers’ The Fletchers came to Reediehill Farm, a small markets: north-facing hill farm, bordering the Pitmedden Forest, in North-east Fife, in 1973, from the island • Edinburgh: Every Saturday of Rum in the Hebrides – where John worked as a morning, 9am-1.30pm newly qualified vet specialising with wild red deer and • Perth: First Saturday of every month, where Nichola worked as a goldsmith designing and 9am-2pm producing her own jewellery. • St Andrews: First Saturday of every The shortest answer as to why the couple turned their attention from there, to farming deer, was that month 9am-1pm they wanted to produce the finest possible meat • Dunfermline: Second Saturday of as humanely as possible and without recourse to every month, 9am-1pm commercial abattoirs. • Cupar: Third Saturday of every John’s unparalleled knowledge of the animals from month, 9am-1pm a professional position also provided an exceptional • Kirkcaldy: Last Saturday of every impetus. month, 9am-1pm Big Bodyguard stags bunch the herd together for security Whether you want TSF the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide ish venison ously good’ reputation In the early 1970s, John considered that livestock farming had many flaws, both in terms of animal welfare and in the drugs or steroids used to produce leaner meat, milk and eggs. “The effects of animal fats on health were beginning to emerge,” explained John and, therefore, it became clear to him that, because deer, native to Britain, had not been selectively bred to produce pathological quantities of milk, or wool, or lambs, or fat, they did not suffer many of the diseases that farm animals were prone to. Thus, Reediehill became the first deer farm in Europe – and the Fletchers developed a system aimed to work with the deer’s natural behaviour, to provide a unique farm that could produce the superb meat without the stresses involved in transportation to an abattoir, and to keep full control over the process by cutting and packing the venison on-farm. Now their farming business, which draws considerably upon the couple’s individual expertise, has developed to the extent it almost diversifies from diversification. It extends to little more than 80 acres, but supports six full time staff – and has gained a reputation for UK-wide acclaim and recognition. The success of the farm’s produce and its sale around the UK by mail order and from farmers markets has even garnered endorsements from celebrity chefs, such as the F-word’s Gordon Ramsay, who said quite simply of the quality of their red meat: “I can confirm that their venison is truly delicious.” And, as a well known author, lecturer, and cookery teacher and demonstrator of not only venison, but all other game, Nichola talks easily of the benefits of working with venison on the kitchen. “At only 1.6% fat, it is leaner than skinless chicken and has less than half the cholesterol too – but, of course, the best thing about venison is that it has a marvellous flavour,” she explains. “Because it is such a lean meat, venison shrinks less during cooking – and because it is quite a filling meat, actually smaller portions will usually satisfy, which helps the budget! “Our venison is already very tender and well flavoured, so preparing it for cooking is not time consuming at all, as marinating is not necessary, although of course those who like the extra richness can feel free to do so!” Dispelling previous myths about the tasty meat, which is now widely recognised as being high in protein and iron, yet low in saturated fat, whilst also containing Omega 3, the Fletchers explain that venison fits perfectly into current lifestyles as a free-ranging and healthy meat which can both cater for rich winterstyle dishes. But it also remains perfect for light, quick cooking, as it is so straight forward and succulent – indeed the ‘Fletcher library’ is filled with books written by each of them which highlight exactly these qualities. Whether you want the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast “Food writing has led to me writing books other than just about venison and game,” explains Nichola. “I am hugely interested in the history of our food and how it fits into the culture of our society. “That little bit of diversification has also meant that both of us have ended up doing a lot of teaching workshops,” says Nichola. “I have done quite a lot of work for Scottish Enterprise for their tourism workshops, in which we try to encourage not so much the tip-top hotels – because I think they have got there themselves in terms of the use of top quality Scottish produce – but the more modest establishments of bed and breakfasts and wee pubs around Scotland to give them suggestions on using more local Scottish produce in an accessible way. It is hugely important as that has been identified as key to what tourists would like to receive when they visit our country.” Amongst the books that the couple have written, Nichola also shares her a lifetime’s experience of cooking their produce in ‘Ultimate venison cookery’, providing a bible to read and savour, as an eminently practical manual for cutting, preparing and, most importantly, cooking venison to perfection. Her other books include ‘Game for all with a flavour of Scotland’, ‘Caviar: A global history’ and ‘Perfect venison – a little book of recipes’, whilst she also filmed a fourhour venison ‘masterclass’ DVD on how best to cook it. Meanwhile, John has written ‘Fletcher’s game’, which recounts the history of modern deer farming and the trials and tribulations of establishing the first deer farm, ‘A life for deer’ and, most recently, ‘Gardens of earthly delight: The history of deer parks’, which he released this month. COUNTRYlifestyle / 7 Rec ipe: Venison steak salad with watercress and pomegranate Starter for four Genuine aged Modena balsamic vinegar is an expensive luxury but there are a few excellent balsamic syrups and thickened vinegars available now. Make sure you get pomegranates with deep red flavoursome seeds, rather than the pallid pink ones. Ingredients: 500g (1lb+) venison steak, or chunks of tender haunch 1 x 80g (3oz) bag watercress 1 small pomegranate Balsamic syrup Method: Wash and dry the watercress. Break it up into bite-sized pieces and divide between the four plates. Cut the pomegranate into quarters and remove the seeds, discarding all the bitter yellow connecting skin. Scatter seeds over the watercress. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar sparingly over the watercress. If using steak, cook it rare and allow it to cool down slightly for a minute or so. Slice finely into pink strips, and drape these over the salad. For venison chunks, brown on all sides, then rest for a few minutes before placing them over the salad. Serve at once. Nichola skims through her own ‘Ultimate Venison Cookery’ book, as her home made rowan jelly strains behind her TSF Major new 12 part TV series the Dales © Nichola Fletcher Recipe from ‘Nichola Fletcher’s ultimate venison cookery’ Quiller Press, £20. Signed copies available from www.seriouslygoodvenison. co.uk Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide Highland Cattle Society Pure Highland Beef “GUARANTEED PURE HIGHLAND BEEF” ™ comes wholly and exclusively from 100% pure pedigree Highland Cattle and commands a significant premium in specialist retail butchery outlets. The Highland Cattle Society, representing an ancient breed, is nevertheless firmly in the 21st Century, with fully computerised records, and able to authenticate the complete traceability of this unique product. Highland Cattle are naturally reared thriving in the hills and uplands of our country without the need for intensive farming practices, producing an excellent modern beef carcass with the lean, well-marbled, flesh that ensures tenderness and succulence with a very distinctive flavour. Beef Producers and Retailers Ardardan Estate - Mr & Mrs Grant Montgomery Ardardan Estate Cardross Argyll G82 5HD 01389 849188 [email protected] www.ardardan.co.uk Mr Gilbert Bannerman Bannerman Quality Meats Old Manse Balmaha By Glasgow G63 OAH 01360 870210 Hilary & Bernard Barker Barkers Highland Beef Mid Torrie Farm Callander Perthshire FK17 8JL 01877 330203 [email protected] www.barkershighlandbeef.co.uk Barlochan Highland Beef Nigel & Angela Taylor Barlochan Wood Palnackie Castle Douglas Kirkcudbrightshire DG7 1PE 01556 600221 [email protected] www.bhbeef.com CP & CE Bruce Bogside Farm Shop Bogside King Edward Banff, Aberdeenshire 01261 821244 [email protected] Cedar Cottage Country Foods AA McIntyre Cedar Cottage Enterkine Estate By Ayr 01292 520453 M: 07779 311149 [email protected] Highland Drovers Ltd Number 2/3 Mercian Buildings Shore Road Perth PH2 8BD 01738 561523 Mossdale Highland Beef Archie & Kay Aitchison West Linton Peeblesshire EH46 7AS 01968 661318 or 07702081510 www.mossdalefarm.co.uk Mr Michael Clifford OBE Tidnor Fold Highland Beef Tidner Cross Cottage, Clifford Farm, Rhystone Lane, Lugwardine, Herefordshire, HR1 4AP 01432 853211 Glengorm Highland Beef Glengorm Castle Tobermory, Isle of Mull PA75 6QE 01688 302321 [email protected] www.glengormcastle.co.uk Ormsary Estate Office Ormsary Farmers, Ormsary Lochgilphead PA31 8PE 01880 770700 www.ormsary.com J & L Fraser Jim Fraser East Tilbouries, Maryculter, Aberdeen AB12 5GD 01224 732351 [email protected] H Irvine Craigluscar Farm Highland Beef 01383 727222 brenda@craigluscarfarm,co.uk www.craigluscarfarm.co.uk Hellifield Highland Beef Robert & Wendy Phillip Green Farm Hellifield Skipton North Yorkshire BD23 4LA 01729 850217 07812 105375 [email protected] www.hellifieldhighlandbeef.co.uk Hunters Highland Beef Barnhill Farm Allanton Shotts Lanarkshire ML7 5AB 01501 820433 or 07747610513 [email protected] Mr Rowland Robertson PItgarvie Farm Fettercairn, Aberdeenshire AB30 1RB 01674 840219 07919541707 RS & JM Tilford Tigh-na-innis Bogallan Croft Kessock Invernessshire IV1 3XE 01463 731869 Mr & Mrs M McCombe, Great House Fold The Great House, Great House Farm, Earlswood, Chepstow, Monmouthshire 01291 652957 Thistle Fold Meat & Pie Company AnniePerkins Clink Cottage Farm Marlcliff Bidford on avon Warwickshire B50 4NY 01789 490872 - 07816877259 Roddy McDougall R McDougall Butchers 1606, Paisley Rd West Glasgow G52 3QN 0141 883 1207 Yorkshire Highlanders Mr & Mrs Keith Gascoigne Holly Beck Farm Commonside Flockton Nr Wakefield Yorkshire WF4 4DA 01924 848161 for more contacts and information please go to www.highlandcattlesociety.com Scotland Food & Drink is the leadership organisation for the food and drink industry in Scotland. We aim to grow the value of the food and drink industry in Scotland to the benefit of all of our members, allowing them to become more profitable and competitive in a global market. Scotland Food & Drink also runs Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight the annual celebration of the superb quality of Scotland’s produce. Find out more about how we can grow your business at www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org or join in at www.scottishfoodanddrinkfortnight.co.uk 10 / COUNTRYlifestyle Trigger happy By Douglas Boatman FEW PEOPLE think of Robbie Burns as a follower of field sports but he certainly paints a wonderful image of deerstalking in this poem. Shooting has long been a traditional pastime in Scotland and is as popular today as it was in yesteryear. The number of shotgun certificates held in the country has increased year on year since 2004 and now sits at a figure of some 50,000. Many youngsters (me included) get introduced to shooting by way of air rifles. Weekends spent with noisy pals looking for ‘vermin’ or honing our accuracy skills by plinking beer cans – empty ones! Modern air weapons are much more powerful and sophisticated than the ones we used. I would imagine there will soon be legislation passed to control their use – currently, you don’t need a licence to own one, although there is an age threshold of 18 to purchase it. Enthusiasm for shooting usually meant the progression onto buying a shotgun and the discovery that moving targets were a lot more difficult than a static Tennents tin at 10 paces. Shotgun ownership also requires a greater sense of responsibility. Not only do you have the task of applying for a certificate, but the purchase of the chosen weapon and ammunition can burn a nasty hole in the pocket too. Once your certificate is sanctioned and with blunderbuss in hand, a whole new world of opportunity opens up. Do you want to follow one particular ‘discipline’ or become a jack of all trades? I’m glad to say there is still an active and fluid syndicate culture in operation in Scotland whereby you can enjoy rough shooting, or the more formal ‘driven game’ format, in good company during the game shooting season. Most game-birds are reared pheasants and French partridge (the native Some members of the Garnock Valley Gun club, with that enviable view behind Picture courtesy of BASC My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer Chasing the wild deer and following the roe My heart’s in the Highlands wherever I go ... Robert Burns English partridge is now quite rare and numbers need to be conserved). All across the country small groups of friends and relations follow the tradition of rearing a number of birds for release on their chosen bit of farmland to create an amateur syndicated shoot. Where birds are ‘walked up’ a good dog is needed to flush the quarry and (hopefully) the same dog will retrieve the shot game. Much of the enjoyment of rough shooting is in watching and controlling your own dog at work. Mind you, ‘Man’s best friend’ can quickly become ‘Man’s worst nightmare’ if your hound adopts selective deafness and heads for the horizon in pursuit of a bolting hare or deer. On such days, new swear words are learnt and pride takes a bashing. Emotions can also run high when, not if, you have a day where your cartridges seem to have no shot in them. Bird after bird sails past unscathed as your gun barrels and tempers, go into meltdown. It is at times like these that you give thanks for the opportunity to walk away and practice on clay pigeons. Many game shooters are also members of informal clay pigeon clubs and spend their summer Sundays improving their skills ahead of the winter shooting season. The fundamental difference between a cock pheasant and a clay disc in flight is that the former is accelerating at an astonishingly deceptive rate, whilst the latter is always losing velocity. It would, therefore, stand to reason that shooting clays is ‘easy-peasy’. Not so! Factor in the situation where the standard clay pigeon is only four inches across, is completely silent in flight and that the shooters eardrums are under constant assault from ‘advice’ given by friendly (?) onlookers, and you will realise what a challenge it is to connect with that wee orange beastie. The photo (left) shows the view from the most picturesque shooting ground in the West of Scotland, home to the Garnock Valley Gun Club. I’m currently ‘El Presidente’ so my judgement may be biased. If you want to take things to a more serious and competitive level, look on the web for your nearest shooting school. There you will find simulation of every shooting situation that you could possibly encounter in the field. High pheasant, springing teal, bolting rabbit and unsettled pigeon to name a few. The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust hold a Game Fair, at Scone Palace, near Perth, on the COUNTRYlifestyle / 11 The author gets down to business and takes aim first weekend in July. This is definitely the place to get acquainted with field sports – a great day out for all the family. Loads of things for youngsters to get involved in and a sumptuous food hall to help you empty your wallet. I have to agree with Robbie – of all the country ‘pursuits’ there is a certain thrill involved in deer stalking. Maybe it is the fact that you are hunting a truly wild creature and in close contact with such elegant and majestic animals. The Scottish red deer population creates a considerable financial boost for the tourism industry and the rural economy. Imagine a child writing a holiday postcard (or sending a text) back to Aunt Sally in central London. “Dear Aunt Sally. Hello from Bonnie Scotland. Today I saw a big wind turbine/a giant deer with big antlers/three miles of traffic cones on the A9 (delete as appropriate) You get the picture! Many estates rely on the income from stag shooting which takes place between July and October. A ‘cull stag’ (an animal shot to thin out the population) will set you back about £400. Trophy heads are the real money spinner. Value increases with the number of points (tines) and uniformity of the antlers. A ‘10-pointer’ may ring the till at £750 and the price tag may go up by £200 per prong above that. Anything above ‘The Royal’ (12 points) leads into banker’s bonus territory. The cheaper and to my mind more challenging, form of deer stalking is the hind cull. The open season is between October and February – the associated climatic conditions at this time of year, coupled with the fact that hinds and calves always keep to the higher ground mean the stalkers foray onto the hill requires a bit more physical effort. The topic of shooting and, indeed, the following of most country pursuits, can reveal quite entrenched opinions when in the company of those who have had little contact with the rural scene. As mentioned earlier a trip to the Game Fair may soften attitudes and lead to better understanding. (maybe even conversion!). No matter what you shoot, whether it is vermin or game, fur or fowl, they are all God’s creatures and should be treated in humane manner and with the respect that they richly deserve Most gamebirds are reared pheasants Get into TROUBLE! Experience has shown that when you set off from home to enjoy hind stalking in the Highlands and Islands you should remember to take TROUBLE with you. TR – Tick Remover: These wee blood suckers get into some personal areas and can cause problems if not extracted properly. O – Optics: A good set of binoculars to spy the deer before they spy you! U – Underwear: On a flat calm freezing December morning ( the sort of day when you can hear a field vole passing wind 100 yards away) you’ll be glad you’re wearing long johns. B – Bolt: For security reasons it is a good idea to keep the bolt separate from the rifle whilst in transit. A chap from Devon got to his hotel on Skye and only then remembered the rifle bolt was on the kitchen table at home – not a happy bunny! L – Lead: (as in ammunition): Don’t expect the gamekeeper to keep a stock of bullets for all rifle calibres and remember you may be many miles from the nearest gunshop. (Gone are the days when your the local ironmonger sold ammo.) E – Energy: There is nothing worse than tramping over the moor for four hours then being too knackered to shoot straight. ■ For those of you who do shoot, or fish, and want to broaden the experience contact the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a copy of their Silent Auction 2011 – you will be glad you did (but your wallet won’t!). To check up on shooting seasons, licences, insurance and the like have a look at the very informative website of BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) Your best friend on a shoot, the gundog LAWRIE & SYMINGTON COUNTRY SUPPLIES LANARK AGRICULTURAL CENTRE Come and visit our country supplies shop for a wide selection of country clothing including an extensive range of Sherwood Forest clothing, a new season Joules range, Horseware Ireland and new Mark Todd. All at very competitive prices save on Joules with 20% off on the entire range for a limited period. Also animal feed, animal health equestrian range, pet food, gardening, footwear, hardware and general supplies, household goods, jams,etc. Open Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm ● Saturday 9am – 1pm ● Sunday 10am – 2pm All enquiries - Tel: 01555 660 099 COUNTRYlifestyle advertorials STRATHMORE FISHING TACKLE HARDY FISHING TACKLE OLD AND MODERN Strathmore Fishing Tackle is based in Dunblane near Stirling, Scotland. We specialise in vintage fishing tackle such as Reels - brass, wooden and aluminium alloy, Rods - split cane and modern materials and Accessories - knives, scissors, tool kits, oil bottles. We are always looking to purchase Vintage Fishing Tackle - Hardy and other quality tackle - also more recent Hardy Fishing Tackle. View some of the items we have for sale at Strathmoretackle. co.uk. If there is a specific item you are looking for then please contact us as we may be able to source it for you. STRATHMORE TACKLE IS A FAMILY BUSINESS BASED IN DUNBLANE. We deal in all types of old fishing tackle. We have special interest in Hardy both old and modern. Distance is not an issue. We are willing to travel the length and breadth of Scotland and Northern England. Clients are of course welcome to visit us in Dunblane. We are always interested in purchasing items or collections of vintage tackle. We pride ourselves on our absolute discretion and ability to offer best prices. Please telephone: 01786 823361 Or email: [email protected] KiwiKate celebrates five years this July In the very beginning there were the possum insoles – superb for cold feet, or chilblains or poor circulation. They are still the staple line but built up around them are garments, socks and accessories made of possum-merino wool – 40% possum fibre and 50% merino wool (10% silk or nylon) - and sheepskin slippers. There are literally hundreds of happy Scots living in their possum-merino beanies, and thousands in their socks, every autumn/winter/ spring! This year sees the inclusion of Earth Sea Sky merino in both ultrafine and superfine knits. A merino base layer against your skin (truly) is the ultimate first layer in warmth and protection whilst outdoors. ESS is superb quality, snuggly, weightless, hard-wearing and odour-eating. You’ll be amazed at the length of time ‘a merino’ will go before needing laundering. A merino is a second skin. KiwiKate chose Earth Sea Sky because the quality matches the unmistakeable quality of all ‘her’ other ranges. What’s more, it’s a Christchurch NZ based company so when you purchase an ESS merino – you’re helping rebuild a shaken-up (down but never out) people. (Until 7 April there’s a very special offer on the website in support of KiwiKate’s Christchurch suppliers.) Carolyn Aish, owner of KiwiKate will be very pleased to see you again at The Royal Highland (23-26 June) and Scone Game Fair (1-3 July) this year. KiwiKate brings to the UK possum and merino lovely, warm, practical wear from the Land of the Long White Cloud, Aotearoa, New Zealand. More in stock this year fabulous Earth Sea Sky merino base layers – for all year round. At the Royal Highland (Countryside Area) and Scone Game Fair again this year. [email protected] | www.kiwikate.co.uk | 07801 298365 PO Box 3968, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7WX 14 / COUNTRYlifestyle Grow, breed and make it yourself By Karen Carruth Photographs: Catherine Laurenson GROW YOUR own, breed your own, make your own – a way of life that 50 years ago was essential for survival during the post-War years, is now a lifestyle that is being chosen as a pleasant and worthwhile pastime for many. Unfortunately, the skills that were commonplace back when food was scarce, have been lost with the emergence of ready meals, frozen foods and plentiful fruit and vegetables in supermarkets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But All Consuming, a small company run by two friends, is bringing these skills back to the discerning consumer, running courses which aim to make learning the basics of growing vegetables, raising chickens and pigs, and baking, among other courses, both fun and useful for today’s more food-aware public. They are, as they say ‘Right on trend’. Susan Bower and Katherine McCudden have been friends since school and both have had successful careers in their own right – Susan in interior design, retail management, and as a florist; and Katherine in PR, and lecturing. They recently came to a point in their lives when they decided to ditch the rat race and take their considerable skill base into a new venture together, hence the emergence of All Consuming. Combining Susan’s hands-on, artistic, and cooking skills, and Katherine’s PR, marketing, and organisation skills, they are an excellent team. Being old school friends gives them an easy banter, both secure in the role that they bring to the outfit. The courses have been based on the skills that Susan has had to learn when she moved from her urban home in Glasgow to the farmhouse in rural Lochwinnoch, in Renfrewshire. “It took me a year to acclimatise here, as I had never lived in the country and, as my husband is a farmer’s son, he assumed I would take to it easily. Whether you want Join the ‘on trend’ team at All Consuming who can teach you all you need to know to enjoy the fruits of ‘The Good Life’ Susan Bower and Katherine McCudden, the partnership behind All Consuming, outside the converted barn that is used for classes TSF Looking after animals, growing my own vegetables, breeding chickens and pigs, was all such a culture shock and a huge learning curve, that initially Katherine and I thought we should write a book the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales about the ridiculous exploits we have endured ... chasing escaped pigs down the road or unloading unruly cows into our field, etc. My husband works away a lot, so I have just had to get on and do it.” Katherine adds: “Susan is a fantastic cook, and was a finalist in ITV’s Britain’s Best Dish, so when our guests arrive for the courses we make sure that they have a fun day, learn something new and also enjoy an amazing home grown, seasonal, home cooked lunch, with a glass of wine if they wish, to see them through the day.” It all started back in November, 2009, when Susan ran her very popular ‘Christmas knockers’ courses in the barn. This involves foraging for moss and ivy and all the things that make up the festive wreath, together with hand wiring your own festive wreath for your front door. Katherine comments: “People love the sense of achievement that they have at the end of our courses, because they usually have something in their hands that they have created, to take home with them.” “The courses went so well, and were popular, so we decided to extend the range of courses we run. At the moment, the courses are all based on the things that we would have found useful when we came here,” says Susan, (see panel on page 17 for course list). This year, the ladies have decided to include a taster day, covering a bit of everything from each course, a tour of the small holding, do some planting, get hands on with a hen, and also hear about Susan’s tales of settling into the ‘Good Life’ and all the ups and downs that the move has entailed. Continued on page 16 and 17 Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide COUNTRYlifestyle advertorial Making Your Home Ideal For You Ideal will help you make your home... into your castle. It is much easier than you might think to increase the value of your home. You can improve and expand your living space while vastly improving the security of your property with advanced locking UPVC windows and doors. We can help you make dramatic enhancements to your home - such as a garage conversion or a new sunroom. Why not set your home out from the crowd with some of the most beautiful conservatories Scotland has to offer. We can provide these and a wealth of other great services to enhance your house and release the potential in your home. As a leading provider of conservatories Edinburgh, we have a wealth of experience in providing conservatories which well exceed the norm. 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We offer • Pvcu Windows, Doors & Conservatories • Composite doors • Sunrooms • Extensions • Garage conversions • Roofline • Natural Selection of Hardwood Windows, door & Conservatories • Pvcu Decking & fencing – very low maintenance • Furniture and home accessories Ideal Windows & Conservatories, providing the best quality that money can buy in the following areas: Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife, Perth & Kinross, Stirling & Borders. 16 / COUNTRYlifestyle The bas and seed planting is exp ics of soil type, propagators lained TSF Fun and learning go hand in pink hand at the All Consum ing courses. Here the ladies attending veg and bed s course show off their shin y new gloves TSF Grow, breed and make it yourself Of course, chat will centralise around the lunch table, with a seriously good lunch and a glass of wine thrown in. The farm has just recently been awarded a rural diversification grant, which has allowed the barn to be updated, sort out the roof and guttering, but still preserving the integrity of the barn, and also providing the kid’s ponies with somewhere to live during the winter. The food cooked on the course is a huge draw, These ladies practise what they preach – it is home grown, seasonal, and delicious, and washed down with a glass of Pims or Prosecco. It is worth visiting the farm for the lunch alone. The courses are hosted in the newly upgraded barn, or, weather permitting, out in the garden, and are suitable for even the most urban of dwellers. Everyone should get something from the courses, whether it is learning about the paperwork involved when you take on livestock, finding out whether your hens’ eggs have been fertilised, or creating a beautiful floral display for your table. “So many people want to live in this country idyll, but before they jump into buying a country property they should take a bit of time to do even a one day course which would enlighten them before they take the plunge. Because even getting mains water, or electricity can be a complete hassle, and also how do you decorate a country home without it being twee, I can’t bear twee,” laughs Susan. “We are just trying to help people become more involved with the things that they may be passionate about, especially growing veg.” It took Susan a couple of years of failing crops before she had gained enough knowledge to have enough of a crop to make good use of. And she is still learning as she goes along. Even Katherine, with a self confessed innocence of animals/ Continued from page 14 outdoor pursuits, has been converted into having a couple of ex battery laying hens in her back garden, which she now loves. Susan is just recovering from sending both her pigs to slaughter, (apparently she was the only one who blubbed, unlike the kids) and will look into having some more this year. Courses can accommodate from six up to 12 at one time, and they have already had companies take courses as team building days, which was great fun for everyone, and a little different from the usual golfing days. www.allconsuming.co.uk Veg and beds... beginners Get hands-on when you attend the hens and eggs course Whether you want The middle of March sees this year’s courses kick off with five enthusiastic ladies, who appear with their hopes high, that they will be gloriously green fingered by the end of the day’s veg and beds course for beginners. As it turns out, some are more willing than others to get their fingers dirty. However, such is the fun and frolics that is taking place, it doesn’t matter anyway. Everyone has questions for Susan, who educates and directs them with an easy, humourous manner and by the time it’s lunchtime, everyone is well acquainted with each other and know exactly what vegetables they want to take home in their little propagators, which come free as part of the course. Seasonality, seeds, planting, soil choice, pot choice, grow bags, dibbles, depth of soil, what needs planted in a greenhouse, what can go straight into the ground, how far apart, and, importantly, what are the easiest vegetables to grow, is covered in the morning, as well as the practical element, which turns out to be a hoot. The ladies with their shiny new pink gardening gloves are huddled in the greenhouse to fill their modules, then back to the barn for the real business at hand, planting their seeds. Sandwiched in between the morning and afternoon sessions is another of the highlights of the day – lunch! Parmesan, parsnip and chilli soup, with home made the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales soda bread, with a splash or two of wine (or minted water, if you wish). Followed by a cherry tomato, caramelised red onion tart (see above) with a green leaf salad. Fabulous food and amusing, like-minded, company is a bonus for the ladies – but the knowledge needed to grow their own, as most of them mentioned they have been hoping to get round to doing for years, is invaluable. One lady had a moment of clarity when she realised she was paying for a vegetable box to be delivered to her house every week – of course, she now knows how to grow her own!. All went home with something to show for their day and with great plans of what this summer’s harvest will be. Most also plan to come back to do follow up courses – and have another great day out. Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide COUNTRYlifestyle / 17 Flower power course: get to grips with the intricacies of making beautiful floral arrangements Courses on offer: Seeds have been selected, now the job of planting them is explained and demonstrated, in the barn at All Consuming HQ CAIRNGORM STOVES www.cairngormstoves.co.uk Taster day – A sample of everything that All consuming can offer Morning courses, sample course of flower power, hens and eggs, and planning a kitchen garden Veg and beds – Planning your kitchen garden from scratch Flower power - Fun flower arranging, from buttonholes to flowers for your table Hanging baskets – getting your plants to last longer throughout the season Hens and eggs – Beginners guide to keeping chooks Walls so tall – Try out the traditional craft of dry stone dyking Pigs and ham – Looking at selection, breeding and management of pigs Ploughman’s lunch – Making home-made chutney and match it with local cheese Jam and sponge – Learn to make jam , victoria sponge, and whoopie pies Christmas knockers – Make your own Christmas garlands Morning courses, £40, includes coffee, cakes Full-day courses, £75 includes lunch TOWNHEAD FARM Helensburgh PIG COURSES - “Practical Pigs” Interested in pig keeping and want to know more? Whether you have a large garden or a field ‘Practical Pigs’ will teach you the basics Over 80 Woodburning Stoves on display in a suite of showrooms Riva Studio Freestanding Stove Presented by Linda McDonald Brown, author of Practical Pigs and a Pig for your Freezer 10am – 4pm. Light lunch and refreshments are included. Cost £95 per head 9th April 2011. To book phone Debbie or John 01436 678895 PIG COURSES - “A Pig for Christmas” Everything you need to know to be able to produce your own delicious Pork, Bacon and Sausages in time for Christmas Delivered by Linda McDonald Brown best selling author 10am – 3.30pm. Light lunch and refreshments are included. Cost £95 per head 11th June 2011. To book phone Debbie or John 01436 678895 Morso-Jotul-Stovax-Riva-Aga-Dunsley-Franco Belge Dovre- Nordpeis-Barbas-Charnwood PERGE LOG BOILER Telephone: 01479 873772 / 873493 Strathspey Industrial Estate, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3NB Open Monday-Friday 8.30-1&2-5; Saturday 8.30-12.30 POULTRY COURSES Interested in getting Hens but don’t know where to start? Start here. Continuing by popular demand, by Pauline Shannon of Deanbank Poultry in association with Reid and Robertson, Agricultural Supplies, Alexandria Courses run from 10am – 3.30pm. Light lunch and refreshments are included. Cost £60 per head (50% discount for age 14 and under) 30 April, 13 May and 19 June 2011. To book phone Debbie or John 01436 678895 18 / COUNTRYlifestyle Dates for your diary: GARDENING SCOTLAND: June 3-June 5 IF YOU have any love in your life for your garden, then Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5, 2011, are a few dates to circle on the calendar. Gardening Scotland, undoubtably Scotland’s gardening event of the year, returns to The Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, and this year sees more than 400 exhibitors taking part, selling everything from compost to conservatories. The inspirational Dobbies Floral Hall will be filled with amazing plants raised by some of the top nurseries and growers in the UK. This is the palce to fnd that special plant and get advice from experts on how to grow it. Tickets are on sale now. You can book online at www.gardeningscotland.com/tickets/ or calll 0131 333 0965 for advance tickets (save yourself £2 on each ticket). Tickets cost from £12, children under 16 go free. Ninety years of the Scottish Poppy Find more inspiration amongst the show Appeal will be celebrated at the gardens where top designers will be showcasing show with PoppyScotland Garden the latest gardening trends and check out the highlighting the year round work of the appeal superb college gardens to discover the next generation of garden design talent. Gardening Scotland 2011 will also be packed with environmental experts in the living garden and you can meet TV’s top gardening team in the BBC Scotland Beechgrove Theatre, where they will be giving entertaining workshops and demonstrations throughout the three days of the show. With a craft marquee, demonstration kitchen, food fayre, floral art displays and family fun in the big back garden, Gardening Scotland 2011 has something for all the family. MAUCHLINE HOLY FAIR: May 28 MAUCHLINE BURNS Club has announced that funding has now been formally agreed to allow it to run its 10th Mauchline Holy Fair from 11am until 4pm on Saturday, May 28, 2011. Working again in partnership with East Ayrshire Council plus funding support from the Cumnock and Doon Valley Minerals Trust, there is fun and frolics promised for all the family at this renowned fair. Attracting between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors to the fair, Mauchline, where Burns met, married and lived with Jean Armour, offers a range of entertainment including jive bands, song and dance shows, pipe bands, clowns and comedy performers. For the kids there is the 360 BMX Bicycle Stunt Team, a fairground, a steam engine, a magician, and more than 70 stalls. Mauchline Holy Fair is run by Mauchline Burns Club and is in it’s 10th year. This year is trying to increase tourism to this historic village, as well as promoting knowledge of Burns. Further information from, Andrew Cooper, secretary on 07785526075, or have a look at www. Stunt bikes will be one of the mauchlineburnsclub. attractions on the day at Mauchline Holy Fair com COUNTRYlifestyle / 19 If you have a date for Country Lifestyle’s diary to publicise, send details to [email protected] ALNWICK FOOD FESTIVAL: September 23-25 ALNWICK FOOD Festival has announced 5 AA Rosette and Michelin Star chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, will be its celebrity guest chef at the 2011 event hosted at the Northumberland Hall and Alnwick Market Square venue in September 23-25. Mr Novelli has placed several leading restaurants on the international map in England, South Africa, as well as in his native France, and during the course of his career has accumulated no fewer than four Michelin Stars. His passion for food cuisine and passing on his wealth of culinary knowledge to others resulted in the establishment of the Novelli Academy in 2005. Within three months of opening, Jean-Christophe’s establishment was voted amongst the ‘Top 25 cookery schools in the world.’ On the opening Saturday of the 2010 festival, more than 17,000 people were in attendance, according to Alnwick Food Festival organiser, Karen Larkin. “I’m delighted Jean-Christophe has agreed to be our celebrity guest chef. His attendance is a huge boost for the 2011 festival and we are aiming to attract a record number of visitors and trade stands to this year’s event. “Northumberland offers an immense range of top quality food and bringing local producers, farmers, suppliers and consumers together will provide huge benefits for the county. “The Alnwick Food Festival attracts local businesses and visitors from as far afield as Newcastle, Hexham, Berwick and Scottish Border areas and is firmly recognised as being a showcase event for the region. A full programme of food festival activities will be announced in due course as well as being posted on our website www.alnwickfoodfestival. co.uk,” she said. Chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli ❣ ❣ ❣ The ‘must haves’ for this issue Hannah Nunn’s personalised lighting range By Karen Carruth IN EACH issue we will share a delightful product which is the item we are currently most excited about – ‘the must have’. This issue’s favourite is a range of beautiful, personalised, lights from Hannah Nunn. Her range of paper cut lighting is inspired by the botanical world and Hannah designs and makes the lamps in her workshop within Radiance, her lighting and craft boutique in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Choose from table lamps, wall lamps, floor lamps, pendant lampshades and exquisite strings of delicate fairy lights. Lamps and fairy lights can also be personalised for weddings and other celebrations. All products are available to purchase online with secure credit card processing. What a wonderful wedding gift. Personalised with names and dates for a unique memento Lights available from www.hannahnunn.co.uk Prices: Small lamp £67 Personalised lamps: £65-£75 20 / COUNTRYlifestyle Willow sculptor to teach his craft nature and an interest in BUDDING ARTISTS Romany culture led him and complete novices to Cumbria, where he alike are being invited to learnt to make creels and join well-known willow traditional baskets and his sculptor, Trevor Leat, distinctive work was soon when he holds his first being exhibited in local weekend workshop at galleries. Scone Palace, from May Commenting on his 14-15, 2011. forthcoming workshop Participants will at Scone, Trevor says: “I be taught the basic am delighted to share my techniques for crafting a skills at this new event at small sculpture for their Scone Palace. I am looking Trevor’s willow sculpture of a stag own garden during the forward to sharing my love event, which takes place in for this ancient art. I like to the beautiful and inspiring work in a friendly, informal palace grounds. atmosphere, encouraging Trevor Leat is one of the participants’ creative side. foremost creators of willow The workshop will be sculptures in the UK. Using Trevor Leat, grows his own willow to use for his enjoyable for people of all sculptures traditional techniques experience levels, including combining beauty with complete beginners.” functionality, he has been weaving willow to great During the weekend, students will learn effect for more than 30 years. something of the history and cultivation of basket Although he creates baskets, garden furniture willows, be given guidance about the correct use and even willow coffins, he is best known for and safety of tools, gain a feeling for the nature his willow sculptures – from life size animals and possibilities of working with willow and create and figures, through to giant creations that are a willow sculpture for their own garden or house. spectacularly burned at festivals and events The workshop will run from 10am-4pm on such as the Wickerman Festival, the Edinburgh both days. All materials will be supplied, however Hogmanay Celebrations and the Burns Light participants are asked to bring secateurs, a sharp Festival, in Dumfries. knife, pencil and paper. A light lunch, tea and Based in coastal Galloway, his work has been coffee will be served in the palace coffee shop exhibited widely in galleries and has been seen each day. by tens of thousands of visitors to festivals and events around the world. ■ The cost for the workshop weekend is £145, Trevor first began weaving found material as with numbers limited to eight. Please call 01738 a small child when he constructed wooden rafts 552300 to book your place. Payment will be Making traditional baskets are just one of the from collected lolly sticks. Years later a love for required at the time of booking. skills you can learn at the workshop Explore the wonders of watercolours PERTHSHIRE-BASED ARTIST and textile designer, Clare Robinson, will be holding a weekend workshop for aspiring water colourists at Scone Palace from May 28-29, 2011. The floral painting course will provide an opportunity for those with some experience of painting with watercolours, or others seeking to become more familiar with the medium, to hone their skills in an informal and relaxed setting with other like-minded enthusiasts and explore the beauty and colour of seasonal flowers from Scone Palace’s own gardens. Commenting on the workshop, Clare says: “The aim of the weekend will be to introduce a different, softer approach to the painting of flowers, with inspiration gathered from seasonal blooms in the palace grounds. “I’ll be looking to nurture students’ own creative style. In addition to watercolour techniques, I’ll also share my experience of how paintings can be used in the design and creation of textiles and soft furnishings.” The workshop will run from 10am-4pm on both days. Drawing boards, cartridge paper and tracing paper will be provided, however participants are asked to bring their usual watercolour paints, brushes, pencils and putty rubber with them. A light lunch, tea and coffee will be served in the palace’s coffee shop each day. The cost for the workshop weekend is £135, with numbers limited to eight. Please call 01738 552300 to book your place. Payment will be Clare working on a watercolour required at the time of booking. COUNTRYlifestyle / 21 Michael Stuart Green exhibits at Black Isle gallery TORE ART GALLERY, just a few miles north of Inverness, is a popular landmark destination for visitors to the Highlands. The huge former Free Church now houses a veritable Aladdin’s cave of Scottish art in traditional and contemporary styles, along with a large range of artistmade ceramics, jewellery, wood pieces, glass, greetings cards and the rest. The light and airy venue is informal and welcoming, with friendly owners, soft seats and refreshments on hand. During May and June the gallery will host a long-awaited major exhibition of new work by Michael Stuart Green, painter and printmaker. In the largest exhibition of his long career as artist, designer, lecturer, writer and academician, Stuart Green will show more than 30 examples of his diverse output, ranging from delicate dry-point etchings to a huge, figurative woodcut, by way of paintings (both oil and watercolour) and other media including original digital printmaking, a technique in which he is a respected pioneer. Subjects are largely drawn from Scottish landscape and architecture, sometimes representationally and at other times in more abstract fashion. This show is said to defy easy categorisation. Exhibition runs from May 1 to June 21, 2011, at Tore Art Gallery. See www.tore-art-gallery. co.uk for full details and images. Also more information at www. michaelstuartgreen.com. ‘Own Art’ payment scheme available. COUNTRYlifestyle Farming Life A fascinating internet web-catalogue of farming and country heritage pictures appears on-line at farmingpictures.co.uk from specialist fine art publishers Hood and Broomfield of Newcastle, Staffordshire. Their amazing choice of affordable, collectable, high quality artist-signed prints are beautifully reproduced from the paintings of renowned artist, Anthony Forster. This unique, lifetime collaboration pictorially records the workaday environment of our changing landscape, recalling the horse-plough and the smithy, the arrival of the tractor age and the ubiquitous Land Rover, the vital relationship between farming families, their working animals and livestock. Picturing various breeds of cattle, working dogs and horses, this web-site categorises and illustrates the huge choice available. Visually attractive and easily navigated, farmingpictures.co.uk shows prints, original paintings, and gives a distinct choice of framing presentation, with exquisite, hand-painted picture mounts. “Cattle Crossing” Hood and Broomfield have supplied via Mail Order for many years. Superb, prompt service and well-packed goods bring repeated orders from customers appreciating a company in touch with modern technology while still welcoming personal contact through telephone enquiries and visits to the gallery showroom, making friends countrywide and abroad. Visitors to large Countryside events and Shows have met the artist on occasion, with many paintings commissioned after seeing some of these wonderful pictures actually painted under the ‘public eye.’After many such shows, Hood and Broomfield are re-adjusting the demands of time and are presently unable to revisit the Royal Highland Show, instead looking forward to maintaining continued customer contact online, in person, or by telephone and post where customers prefer. advertorial 22 / COUNTRYlifestyle Heather, left, wears a flattering, fully lined jacket with large folder over collar, and Dawn wears the Carly waistcoat and flattering Faye skirt. The Highland cow is wearing her own headcollar! Heather, left, wears the Pippa waistcoat. Dawn, middle also wears the Pippa waistcoat and the Ailsa, A-line skirt. Louise wears a threequarter length, winter warm tartan coat. The lovely Bella, the St Bernard, decided to join in too! Whether you want the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide COUNTRYlifestyle / 23 Mis_é: handmade classic country clothing By Karen Carruth Sharon, right, checks over the collection with Isla, her assistant Photographs: Catherine Laurenson CATCHING A project at its inception is an exciting time, full of new ideas and enthusiasm for the future and that is exactly where we find Sharon Pirie’s brand new collection of ladies’ clothing. Expressions is the name of the company that Sharon runs, which, up until this point from its inception in 2005, has been a dress-making, alterations, curtain-making, soft furnishing, and corsetry business that is based on Scotland’s West Coast, at scenic Oban. However, an order of cloth was received that changed Sharon’s way of thinking and now here she is with her first collection. “I couldn’t imagine this cloth being made into anything else. It had to be clothes, I could clearly visualise them. So I decided, at the start of the year, that I would use the experience I picked up when training in fashion and design, and try to put together a collection of ladies clothing to see if there was any interest.” The interest she received has enforced her decision to set aside some of her busy week to try to increase her stock of skirts, waistcoats, jackets and hand bags. Sharon and Isla Glen, her assistant, took the chance to launch the clothing range, at the recent Oban Highland cattle sale, which brings together a diverse range of rural clientele, which was the ideal market for Sharon’s range “I was stunned by the interest at the show. I sold more than I expected and gained some positive feedback about the clothes and made some great contacts,” she says. The range, entitled Mis_é, is a mix of classic and contemporary lines, with items benefiting from being lined and sized to flatter all figures. The cloth is 100% wool, which gives longevity and a classic look that can be worn for years to come, as both daywear, and accessorised to create a striking evening outfit. The flattering waistcoats benefit from having varying cuts; there are curved collars which complement the bust area, called The Carly; halter neck backs, called Heather; which gives a more contemporary look, and the traditional style called Pippa. skirts are styled in a short A-line cut with contrasting waistbands, the Ali, or the Faye skirt, which has a layered ‘flouncy’ style as Sharon described it. All the range comes with hand made buttons, which come from a designer in Lochawe and are trimmed in contrasting fabric where appropriate. Continued on next page Whether you want the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales Louise wears the Ailsa skirt to create a contemporary look, which appeals to the younger generation, while, left, Dawn wears the Carly waistcoat and an Ali skirt Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide 24 / COUNTRYlifestyle Ladies Fashions 7/9 West End, Biggar, ML12 6DA Tel/Fax: 01899 220245 116 High Street, Biggar. ML12 6DH Tel/Fax: 01899 220884 Sheila Conn invites you to celebrate the new Spring / Summer 2011 season with Giving you outfits for every event this season Put yourself in the mood for Spring/Summer and have a visit to Sheila Conn of Biggar www.sheilaconnladiesfashions.co.uk Large handbags with the smaller version behind, are beautifully lined in contrasting fabric Mis_é: handmade classic country clothing Continued from page 23 We met up at Dawn Mackie’s Merkland House Farm, at Sandford, near Strathaven, where her Highland cattle, provided an appripriate background to do the photoshoot, and from the outset, Sharon was nervous and excited, as it was the first photos that have been taken of her clothes. Not appreciating her own obvious skill and eye for design, she asked everyone if they liked the clothes: “Of course, we do,” was the answer, “otherwise we Louise Mackie, 15, wears the wouldn’t be here promoting them.” contemporary Heather waistcoat Relief and smiles followed, because which has a halterneck style there really is plenty to be impressed with. Hand-made, stylish clothing, made in Scotland, with cloth that highlights the impressive colours and style that are inspired from Scotland’s diverse landscapes and historic links in tweed and tartan. Sharon is initially hoping to take her clothing range to some of the local farmer’s markets (see website for details) to get a feel of her target audience, to gauge reactions and opinion. She is currently designing a longer length skirt to suit ladies who prefer their lovely Scottish knees to be undercover. Dawn Mackie, our superb and ever enthusiastic model for the day (along with her mother and daughter), is a fan of the clothes. Dawn bought two outfits when she came across the Mis_é range at Oban, and was instrumental in bringing Sharon’s clothes to the attention of The SF. Dawn says: “If I go out to buy a piece of clothing, I insist on it being a quality garment and I want to know that it will be timeless. I can take these clothes out my wardrobe anytime in the next 10 years, and I will be confident wearing them, they are comfortable and stylish. “Here I am wearing them, my daughter would wear them and my mother looks great in them as well. That says everything about their across the board appeal. And they are very Scottish, which I absolutely love; we should be shouting from the rooftops about our great Scottish clothing and designers,” she says. ■ Check out the website www.mis-e.com for details on where you can purchase Mis_é clothing. Waistcoasts from £90, skirts from £75, handbags from £35. Phone Sharon Pirie on 07732 805996 So much more than you could ever imagine. Hats, Bags, Shoes, Wedding guests, Casual collections 26 / COUNTRYlifestyle Because kids will be kids Breathable waterproofs for ages 12 months to 10 years. Fantastic fleeces and sweatshirts with country designs. Apprentice hunters, shooters and fishermen By Karen Carruth Now available: Adult waterproof trousers in a variety of colours including purple, pink, navy & royal blue. IF THE kids are willing, then why not get them involved in country sports. An understanding and appreciation of the rural environment will give them a healthy respect for the great outdoors. And, of course, if they are going to blend in, they have to have the right togs. Here is a small selection of some of the vast range of children’s country clothing that is now available online. Barbour’s children’s Liddesdale Jacket. Navy blue. Prices from £39.95£59.95 For quick ordering, order online at: www.puddlejumpers.co.uk or call 01298 83812 R Watson Hogg SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTIONS 2011 NOW IN STOCK Both jackets, above, available from www.barbour.co.uk Barbour’s children’s Beaufort jacket in olive. Prices from £89.95-£109.00 Seeland Seth kids’ sweater. Crew neck jersey with real leather shoulder and elbow patches. Olive. Price: £34.95 R Watson Hogg specialise in quality ladies separates and outerwear from leading suppliers which include; Max Mara, Marella, Gerard Darel, Marcona, Eugen Klein, Gardeur and Kirsten. Bonart Childs Bassel Polo Shirt, short sleeved with pheasant motif. Olive colour from £14.50 Children’s Glastonbury shirt. Long sleeved with chest pocket. Green or burgundy check. From £18.99. Children’s moleskin breeks. With semielasticated waist and knitted cuffs. Olive. Price: £29.95 Also Available: A large selection of knitwear and accessories and a superb gents department too. 52 High Street, Auchterarder, PH3 1DB. Tel: 01764 662151 Toggi vise versa gilet. Reversible and quilted, practical and versatile. Fushia/ navy. Price: £38.95 Clothes available from www.country-catalogue.co.uk. Tel. 01258 817666 Whether you want the Dales... ...the Glens ...the Fens ...the Wolds ...Moors or Coast Major new 12 part TV series the Dales Farm Stay has the solution Visit www.farmstay.co.uk or ring 01271 336141 for your FREE guide 28 / COUNTRYlifestyle Escape the country ESCAPE THE country for a day with The Lifestyle Company Scotland (TLC). Ditch the country for a day and treat yourself to some of Scotland’s cosmopolitan delights. TLC can plan you the perfect weekend break, or if time isn’t on your side just a wonderful day. With so many options, you want to be sure that you are booking the best and you are not missing out. Ladies, if it’s a shopping spree that you’re after, TLC Scotland can arrange private viewings at the city’s most exclusive stores, which are set off the beaten track, followed by lunch at one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants. We might recommend you try the famous shellfish platter at Ondine or an adventurous menu at The Kitchin, but of course it completely depends on your taste! If a sporting weekend is what you have in mind, why not make it a couple’s trip and let TLC organise your tickets and book you into a hotel. We can even arrange a spa afternoon for the ladies! No trip to the city would be complete without sampling supper at one of the finest restaurants so relax and let TLC take care of your dining arrangements. Whether you want a tantalising thai or a succulent steak, TLC Scotland can make sure you are looked after within the Let the Lifestyle Company Scotland look after your every need on your urban retreat realms of luxury. Without giving away all our secrets here are a few of TLC’s favourite Edinburgh restaurants: Martin Wishart – Edinburgh’s first Michelin star restaurant, awarded in 2001. The Tower Restaurant – this is known as one of the hottest tickets in town. The Witchery – dramatic atmosphere and innovative taste sensations. Forth Floor, Harvey Nichols – Modern European cooking with an amazing view. Rhubarb – Exquisite cuisine. Amber – One of the city’s undiscovered gems. Oloroso – Relaxing rooftop sanctuary, brilliant on a warm evening. 21212 – With a Michelin star this is a true indulgence; small but exciting menu. The Kitchin – Adventurous, ever-changing menu. Ondine – Seafood restaurant that won’t disappoint. If you want to escape the country for a day, but these examples are not your cup of tea, get in touch with TLC who can tailor a day to suit any requirement. If a more cultural trip would be preferred then TLC can organise a literary tour, plan a fully bespoke ‘city highlights’ walk or even set up a cookery lesson at Martin Wishart’s cookery school. Just call TLC Scotland on 0131 466 2187 or email [email protected] and let them make all the arrangements! Oh and don’t worry about who will look after the house/animals for you while you are away on your city escape, as TLC can help with that too – there is no end to TLC’s connections so challenge them to make your city break unforgettable. www.tlcscotland.co.uk Get up to 10 hours time free from The Lifestyle Company Scotland TLC can organise anything from dinner parties to spring cleaning or assistance with professional administration. With fees from as little a £10 for 30min they are a must have number in your phone book. TLC are offering to double the hours you buy (up to 10hrs) which doubles the amount of hours you save. Simply quote Scottish Farmer. Valid until April 30, 2011. Agricultural & Sightseeing Tours 2011 C E L E B R A T I N G American Rockies TO UR & National Parks FU LL Colorado, Wyoming, S. Dakota, Utah including Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. 6th to 20th June Switzerland Hotel overlooking beautiful Lake Lucerne and spectacular mountains. 6th to 14th June Western Canada T H I R T Y Y E A R S Alaskan Cruise plus Calgary Stampede 5! Alaskan Cruise plus tour over the Rocky Mountains to Banff and Calgary for the opening parade and excitement of “the Stampede.” 24th June to 11th July China & Yangtze River Cruise 4 night Yangtze River cruise plus Three Gorges Dam, Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors, plus much much more. 3rd to 20th September plus Calgary Stampede Ireland 29th June to 11th July 13th to 20th September Beautiful scenery of Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, The Rocky Mountains, plus the spectacle of Calgary and “the Stampede”. Call 01524 423444 www.bayfarmtours.co.uk ABTA No: V0620 / 1 9 8 1 - 2 0 1 1 New York, New England & Canada Tour and cruise of Eastern USA and Canada at the time of the Fall. Interesting cities such as Boston, Quebec, Ottawa & Montreal. 20th September to 4th October California plus Las Vegas & Grand Canyon Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks, San Francisco, Long Beach, San Diego and Las Vegas plus the intensive agriculture of the Central Valley. 7th to 20th October Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Kinsale and Ring of Kerry, including National Stud and varied mixture of sightseeing and agricultural visits. All Fully Escorted tours. First Class Hotels, Pleasant mix of agricultural and sightseeing visits travelling with and visiting people who “speak the same language” NEW COMPANY NEW TOURS NEW DESTINATIONS Although Field Farm Tours is a new, independent tour operator our staff have many years of experience in organising group tours to destinations around the world and closer to home in the form of short breaks. All of our tours are designed to give the traveller an insight into what is happening on the land and in the sea close by. Visits are woven into a programme that includes tourist highlights and cultural activities in order to bring the destination to life as enjoyed by the local population. Already the company has run successful tours to Berlin, Andalusia and Morocco and has confirmed tours to Denmark, Rhineland and Orkney in May. With tours to South Africa, South America, the West Coast USA, Australia and the Heart of Europe planned for later this year we can offer a wide range of enjoyable destinations that offer agriculture at their heart. Our staff are vastly experienced in selecting destinations and our itineraries are proving popular with clients old and new. A recent feedback questionnaire included the comment that the Morocco tour was “....the best tour I have done of the 19 worldwide farm tours until now....” The tours include good standard accommodation and coaching and are supported by local guides who also have experience of agriculture in their country. Tour itineraries will differ depending on the destination and the length of time that the tour runs, but it is common for tours to be half-board. Our unique tours offer our clients the chance to see and discuss agriculture in other parts of the world, whilst enjoying the scenery and company of like-minded fellow passengers. We also arrange accommodation and travel packages for many UK and overseas agricultural shows and events. For those working for a club or society please enquire about our bespoke tour service. For more details of our tours, events and services please visit our website www.fieldfarmtours.co.uk DENMARK Tour - 16-25 MAY 2011 David Richardson’s tour starts on the west coast. Visits include wind energy farm, pigs, dairy, cheese, arable, forestry. Tourist stops include Ribe medieval city, conservation project, Viking museum and city tour of Copenhagen. ORKNEY TOUR - 8-13 MAY 2011 ONLY 6 PLACES LEFT Visits to beef, dairy and organic farms, cheese production, whisky distillery, ancient archaeological sites, Ortak jewellery, Churchill Barriers, Italian Chapel and Scapa Flow. WEST COAST USA - 9-23 MAY 2011 From San Francisco to Seattle in 15 days. Farm visits include; vineyards, rice, grain, fruit, nuts, tomatoes, sugar beet, beef visits, dairy visits - all through fantastic countryside that includes the Nappa Valley, Redwood National Park and the Oregon Trail. SOUTH AFRICA 28 OCTOBER 13 NOVEMBER 2011 From San Francisco to Seattle in 15 days. Farm visits include; vineyards, rice, grain, fruit, nuts, tomatoes, sugar beet, beef visits, dairy visits - all through fantastic countryside that includes the Nappa Valley, Redwood National Park and the Oregon Trail. Farming Tours to: Isle of Man 12-16 JUNE 2011, Ireland to include the Ploughing Championship 19-24 SEPTEMBER 2011, Heart of Europe 28 SEPTEMBER – 7 OCTOBER 2011, Australia 6-27 OCTOBER 2011, Chile & Argentina 1-25 NOVEMBER 2011, Uruguay and Brazil JANUARY 2012 and Costa Rica JANUARY 2012 Fully ATOL protected and with ABTA membership to follow, our experienced and knowledgeable team offer a personal and friendly travel service to the agricultural community. We also offer both recreational farming tours and travel packages for all of the major UK and European events including; Beef Expo, Burghley Horse Trials, Perth Bull Sales, Royal Highland Show, British Potato and Agritechnica. Field Farm Tours Ltd , 3 Stephenson Court, Stephenson Way, Newark, Notts, NG24 2TQ Tel: 01636 616060. Web: www.fieldfarmtours.co.uk Email: info@fieldfarmtours.co.uk COUNTRYlifestyle advertorials LAT-Lodge luxury LAT-Lodge Limited is a company specialising in the design and construction of high quality, well insulated log buildings for permanent and holiday accommodation. A full service from Planning Application to final completion is available. Alternatively, erection of the superstructure only, on prepared foundations, with internal fit-out by the customer is available as an option. We source best quality materials for the structural shell, doors and windows and, once on site, our own construction squads complete the superstructure quickly and efficiently. Local contractors are used to lay foundations and ground slab, do electrical installation, plumbing and heating, roofing and timber fire-proofing. Our objective is to provide best value for money, not lowest cost. Because our buildings comprise mainly timber, the most sustainable construction material, they are ideally suited to achieve the higher code levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes when renewable energy sources such as ground and air source heat pumps are used to provide space heating and domestic hot water. Durability of our houses is ensured by using modern protective stain on the exterior to give a period between re-coating of 8-10 years. The life of a log structure, with proper maintenance, is almost limitless and so represents a sound investment. Hotel and seafood restaurant Discover Argyll’s hidden gem this spring Tucked away in one of Argyll’s most idyllic lochside locations, The Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant in Port Appin is the perfect destination for a relaxing west coast spring break. With breathtaking views to the islands of Lismore and Mull, our intimate twelve bedroom hotel, bar and renowned AA rosetted seafood restaurant has won a fast-growing reputation as one of Argyll’s most loved destinations. We strive to offer our guests something different - a personal and relaxed family atmosphere in a stunning location. We pride ourselves on the freshness and quality of our seafood and succulent meat, most of which is sourced locally. The Pierhouse is perfectly placed for guests to enjoy Appin’s beautiful scenery and wildlife with fantastic walks, cycle routes, bird-watching and freshwater and sea fishing opportunities. We also offer guests a full range of hotel facilities including a Finnish sauna and excellent holistic treatments including therapeutic, aromatherapy, Swedish and sports massage treatments. Seafaring visitors can make use of our yacht moorings and marine facilities, ideal for yacht crews wishing to beak their journey through this beautiful stretch of water with a truly memorable place to eat and stay. For information on our Easter and spring break packages, visit our website at www.pierhousehotel.co.uk or call us on 01631 730302 WOODLAND CREATION MATTERS Ash to ashes - Grow your own firewood Growing demand for fuel, combined with attractive grant rates mean increasing numbers of people plan to plant new native woodland. Rising energy costs are hitting farming hard and the burgeoning wood fuel market is driving plans to plant broadleaf woodland for tomorrow’s fuel, says the Woodland Trust Scotland, which is offering landowners free advice and practical help to plant on their own land. Through careful management, home-grown firewood can be available within 10-15 years of planting, with annual sustainable supplies thereafter. Just three hectares of woodland is enough to provide a sustainable supply for a three bedroom house. If planted near buildings the same woodland can help reduce energy bills by providing a windbreak in winter and cooling in summer. With its team of specialist woodland creation advisors, the Trust is now actively advising landowners across the Central Scotland Green Network and beyond on woodland creation.This includes how to access the excellent grant funding rates through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). There has never been a better time to plant trees and create a sustainable fuel supply Ash is generally thought to be one of the best native species for firewood, it is easy to split and naturally low in moisture so it seasons quickly. It can even be burnt when it’s still a bit green. However, many other native hardwood species produce very good firewood. Oak produces plenty of heat and burns slowly, but must be seasoned for at least a year.The light wood of birch and rowan grows quickly, but also burns more quickly than many other species. Native trees can provide other benefits to farming too, which include: improving game cover, providing shelter for livestock, increasing crop yields, helping with water quality issues and generally raising the aesthetics and potential value of the farm. “Looking to the future, there will be an increasing focus on energy costs - a commitment to plant new woodland now will put landowners in a strong position and protect them from the vagaries of a fluctuating energy market,” says the Trust’s Operations Manager, Tim Hall. He continues “There is a growing demand for firewood, and the Trust can work with landowners to design woodland that suits their own specific needs. Just imagine, in years to come this will provide a regular supply of easy to process firewood, that’s close to your home, and is worth around £100 per tonne. Combined with such favourable grant conditions, there has never been a better time to plant trees and create a sustainable fuel supply.” Thanks to funding from the Forestry Commission Scotland through the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund, the Woodland Trust Scotland is offering landowners free advice on establishing sustainable firewood sources and how to access the favourable grant rates available through the SRDP. For more information and FREE advice contact our woodland creation team on 0845 293 5689 or visit www.moretreesmoregood.org.uk/csgn Plant trees for future proof fuel moretreesmoregood.org.uk/csgn The Woodland Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 294344 and in Scotland no. SC038885. A non-profit making company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 1982873.
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