When we heard about Faldonside Farmers Market, Paddy and I knew that we wanted to be involved, and we’re delighted to have been able to sponsor the first market, which is being held next weekend at Faldonside Farmhouse just outside Melrose in the Scottish Borders. Getting to know local businesses and sharing insights with our buyers and sellers is at the heart of what we do at Paton & Co, and with so many fantastic local stall holders, this felt like a very natural fit for us.
Faldonside Farmers Market was conceived by Posy and Pete Maitland-Carew, who live at Faldonside, and this creative and talented couple had the vision of hosting an artisan farmers market that would showcase some of their favourite local businesses. (You can find information on the stallholders taking part in our previous blog post here.) It’s been an immense amount of work for Posy and Pete to bring this event to reality, so I caught up with Posy to ask about the market and what led to this idea.
How did you select the businesses that are taking part in the market?
It was mainly word of mouth and quite a bit through Instagram. We are both foodies so love following local food and drink businesses. Also my sister Lucie and brother-in-law Joe have a gelato business called Joelato , so we hear from them about interesting businesses that they’ve come across lately.
Clearly, the last year has been tough for businesses – how important is this kind of event for independent businesses in particular?
So important! This is the reason we are doing Faldonside Farmers Market. We have the space here on the farm so it felt like the right spot for local producers to showcase their produce after such a long time of not being able to. It’s all about bringing local artisan companies together in one place. Also, fortunately, we are very central in the Borders which will hopefully make it easier for more people to come and visit. There’s a wonderful mix of businesses involved, and that’s going to create a really great atmosphere for visitors.
What has been the most challenging part of organising the market?
Making sure we keep to all the Covid regulations! We want people to be able to come to the market and feel really welcome and relaxed. Also, because we have been in lockdown for such a long time, the farm has become a bit unruly in parts so there has been quite a lot of tidying and making sure everything is how we want it, and ready in time for the market.
What has been the most challenging part of organising the market?
Making sure we keep to all the Covid regulations! We want people to be able to come to the market and feel really welcome and relaxed. Also, because we have been in lockdown for such a long time, the farm has become a bit unruly in parts so there has been quite a lot of tidying and making sure everything is how we want it, and ready in time for the market.
And the most fun?
Coming across all these wonderful and exciting producers, and of course trying the incredible produce!
What does a working day look like for you?
We have a holiday cottage business (Faldonside Escapes) consisting of 4 cottages – two on the estate at Faldonside, one in Melrose, and one in the village of Bowden – along with a flat in Edinburgh to rent, so we are kept busy with bookings, changeovers, making sure the lawn has been cut, cakes baked… all of those things that go into running and managing a holiday let business. We are also transforming an old train carriage into a modern one bedroom property on the farm. It’s certainly keeping us busy, as do our three young children.
As we’ve all been staying closer to home in recent months, what have been your favourite places to explore?
There have been beautiful walks which we would have not necessarily done, especially around Selkirk and beyond, but we have actually just loved walking from home up and over the hill to Cauldshiels Loch, which is such a magical place.
Where are you most looking forward to visiting now that we can travel more freely again?
Certainly going abroad with sunshine, long lunches by the sea, and lots of shellfish and wine!
What makes the Scottish Borders such a special place to live?
It’s just so beautiful! We live only 3 miles from the town of Melrose which is so pretty and has lots of lovely independent shops. We have fab walks in the Eildon hills and along the River Tweed, and there’s a great community spirit. We just love it and feel very blessed to live here.
Aside from businesses you’re showcasing at the market, what are your other local favourites?
Again our favourites are food related: We love The Provender in Melrose, as it has such fantastic food. We are also huge fans of The Townhouse in Melrose, particularly for a drink in their fabulous beer garden.
If you were to describe your dream home, what would it look like?
Probably a scruffy house by the sea in Greece, filled with beautiful laid back interiors.
Do you have any further plans for Faldonside Farmers Market in the future?
We are always trying to think of other things to do at Faldonside so yes, there might be things in the pipeline. We will see how the market goes and hopefully we might go on to do 3 or 4 markets a year! For the moment though, we are just concentrating on developing our holiday cottage business, which is really exciting now that we can welcome guests back again.
Visit www.patonandco.com/faldonside for details of the stall holders featured at the market, and don’t forget to follow Faldonside Farmers Market on Instagram and Facebook to be informed about dates for future events.
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