Know your onions.
Like us, you’ll want to know where your food comes from.
We’ll be doing all we can to keep you in the picture with plenty of display info about the origins of the food we serve and sell.
Whether it’s grown on the farm or brought in from other farms and suppliers, whether it’s organic or not, free-range or Fair-trade, you’ll know.
Time permitting; we’re aiming to offer useful suggestions about using our produce, with tastings and demonstrations on the cards too. If there’s anything you need to know or tips you’d like to share, pleased don’t hesitate to chip in. Like typical foodies, we’re always keen to learn more about our favourite subject and swap recipes.
About Us > Craigies History
A long family tradition
The Sinclairs have been farming for over 200 years.
My great grandfather, George Sinclair came to the Home Farm, Dalmeny in 1892 as the farm manager. His son John (Jack) took over as Lord Rosebery’s manager in 1931 until he died in 1952.
My father, George (the Sinclair’s have never been adventurous with names!), was only 14 when his father died so he was a bit young to follow in his father’s footsteps.
However, when he was only 18 Lord Rosebery gave him the tenancy of Bankhead Farm where he farmed for 10 years before getting the tenancy of West Craigie in 1966.
West Craigie was originally a dairy farm, selling milk direct to customers in Edinburgh. As the dairy industry became less profitable, my father gave up the dairy.
We started growing fruit in the mid 80’s, encouraged and helped by a friend from Alyth. A small farm shop sold fruit, potatoes, jams and not much more, as you can see from the picture!
In the early 90’s, we converted a barn for more space to sell our own vegetables and ever-increasing range of jams. The shop was only open six months of the year.
Sadly my father died in 1995, but I, have continued to ‘grow the seeds’ planted by his efforts and energies.
These days, we’re open all year round and produce our own fruit for nearly half the year.
The new shop and café has been on the drawing boards since 2004 and it will, fingers crossed, be opened in the summer of 2007.
