Growing up, I spent every summer working on my family farm in Angus, which gave me a natural connection to farming and food.
After gaining a degree in Business Management and a postgraduate degree in Primary Teaching, I worked in Aberdeen schools, where I was struck by how little children knew about farming, food, and animals. Something I had always taken for granted. When I returned home to cover my parents’ holiday, I never left. There is nothing better than working in your own business and driving your passions forward. Our farm has long been known for potato packing, and as we diversified into flavoured mashed potatoes, I saw an opportunity to follow my passion by creating a farm shop with educational experiences.
Although COVID disrupted our original plans, we adapted by launching a locker-box vending farm shop, supported remotely while living abroad with my husband. I managed stockists, organised summer pop-ups, and ran all our social media. Since returning full-time, I’ve been able to drive Upper Dysart Larder forward – expanding the shop, adding seating and hot food, creating a playpark, and building animal experiences. Now, I’m focused on developing the educational experiences while collaborating with others to showcase the very best of Scottish agritourism.