Scran

On today's episode we are looking at the changing face of the dairy industry. With a rich heritage of dairy farming and production in Scotland, challenges over the last 20 years have meant that dairies have had to diversify or die. Today we talk to three such businesses whose roots in traditional farming are still informing their work today.

First up Rosalind chats to Bryce Cunningham of Mossgiel farm. Having experienced a number of devastating blows the business was forced to go back to basics and from there they have grown into a sustainable, modern operation.

Rosalind also speaks to David and Wilma Finlay of The Ethical Dairy who may be known more widely for their ice-cream business Cream O'Galloway, which they have just sold. As you'll hear, a change of hearts and minds was needed to embrace a new way of working but when they did, a whole world has opened up and one which seems to be reaping rewards for them.

Finally, Rosalind talks to Robert Graham of Graham's Dairy - one of the best known dairy brands in Scotland and beyond. Grahams have found great recent success in their production of dairy-based protein products alongside the traditional milk production they were famous for.

By the end of this podcast we think you'll agree there's lots of innovation going on in the dairy industry in Scotland.

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This week we're getting very excited about one of the international cultural events of the year. The Oscars take place this weekend and in an amazing turn of events, two Scottish businesses have reason to celebrate. Fetcha Chocolates and The Gin Bothy will both see their products feature as part of the famous "Everyone Wins" gift bags which the nominees receive. These bags have an approximate value of $125,000 and include such exclusive contents as luxury skincare and a lavish holiday in St Bart's.

On this episode of Scran Rosalind speaks to Fiona MacArthur from her business Fetcha Chocolates in Campbelltown about this exciting development, as well as how she's got to where she is today. You'll hear about how she has gone all out to capitalise on this opportunity.

Rosalind also speaks to Kim Cameron, owner of The Gin Bothy about the 'pinch me' moment of being asked to contribute one of her gins to the gift bag. She also tells Rosalind the great story of how she went from jam making to gin making and how both businesses are reaping rewards.

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On this very special bonus episode of Scran produced in partnership with Diageo we are heading north as Cardhu distillery celebrates 200 years of producing whisky. Licensed in 1824, it was the first distillery to be officially pioneered by a woman. And what better way to mark this special occasion than by celebrating all women pioneers, and three in particular?

This episode was recorded at Cardhu Distillery in Speyside and features snippets from a celebratory event where the team welcomed-in the local community to hear from these modern trailblazers. They are; fashion designer Siobhan McKenzie, Owner of Ujamaa Spice, Jawahir Al-Mauly and founder of Dear Green Coffee, Lisa Lawson. Rosalind chats to each of them about the challenges they've faced and the successes they've achieved in their inspiring businesses.

To hear more about the history of Cardhu and the celebrations to mark 200 years of licensed whisky production (including a new bottling) Rosalind also chats to Assistant Experience & Events Manager for Cardhu, Jo Henderson.

You'll find out more about 200 years of Cardhu and the anniversary celebrations here.

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Welcome to part two of our annual Christmas Scran specials. We're fully engrossed in all things Christmas and we're pleased to say this episode is jam packed full of joy, tradition and cheer.

First up on this podcast Rosalind meets Peter Gilchrist, Scottish Food Historian, writer and friend of the podcast who takes her through the evolution of the Scottish Christmas and how we have arrived at many of our modern day customs and traditions. Peter and Rosalind met at the beautifully decorated The Ivy restaurant in Glasgow to enjoy a festive brunch. Peter is always a fascinating guest and we guarantee you that you will walk away from today's episode knowing something new about Christmas.

Then we head back to Bow Market in Fife to talk to Chris Miles of Inchcolm Distillery who makes a very interesting spirit from leftover apples, and Stephen Wade of Woodmill Game who tells Rosalind about how he created and moulded his business.

Finally you'll hear from Barry Bryson who lets us in on the life of a chef at Christmas time as well as his exciting plans for the year ahead..but most importantly - he has tips for the Christmas dinner! Something we all relish in the run up to the big day...

Thanks to listening to Scran throughout 2024, we will return in 2025 with lots more tales from inside the food and drink industry we know and love in Scotland.

Merry Christmas and happy new year!

Rosalind & Kelly

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On this episode of Scran we're fully embracing this time of year and investigating some of the more macabre elements of Scottish food and drink history.

Earlier this year Rosalind was lucky enough to attend Whisky & Witches Presents Mythical Beasts, an immersive, mystical, musical whisky tasting produced and presented by Christine Kammerer and Jane Ross. The show touched on the history of women and whisky in Scotland and explained how women who distilled whisky were turned upon by the church and society. These alewives and brewsters were often framed as what we would now recognise as witches. Singer and composer Christine and whisky aficionado Jane who runs The Mother Superior in Leith, join Rosalind to talk all about how women became vilified for distilling and how even today there are challenges around being a woman in the whisky industry.

Connotations of witchcraft and herbalism have gone hand in hand for centuries, and delving into the ancient art of herbology is a great way to explore some natural magic in the run up to Halloween. On the second half of the podcast Rosalind chats to Catherine Conway-Payne, author of Herbology- A Psychic Garden Pharmacy, a book being published by The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in the coming weeks, which includes an illustrated guide that brings herbology to life. (rbgeshop.org)

Catherine takes us back to a time when insects, frog spawn and basically all sorts was used in medicine and self care. She tells Rosalind all about how, even now, some of the remedies and uses from the past can be found in modern products such as snail slime in beauty products. She also shares some of the lessons to be learnt from the book including some brilliant uses for cleavers, more commonly known as sticky willy.

Thanks for listening and have a spooky, tasty halloween!

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