Minty Mackay
In 1993, Minty Mackay and her husband Aeneas began farming on a remote peninsula on the south-west corner of the Isle of Mull. Influenced by her work in America with organic cooperatives, Minty decided not to use chemical fertiliers or pesticides on the land and to feed stock on home-grown organic fodder. It seemed to make perfect sense to work with nature rather than against it. Ardalanish Farm rears Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep for organic meat and wool. The cattle, including the traditional Highlands and Islands Kyloe breed, are known for their wildlife-friendly foraging, which encourages a diversity of flora to thrive. Cattle mature naturally on the heather hills and forage for tasty bits of seaweed along the Hebridean coastline. They are slaughtered at the community owned Isle of Mull Slaughter house and sold through the community butcher shop.
The Hebridean sheep are thought to be descended from Viking stock which evolved centuries ago in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Traces of similar wool – a lustrous hard-wearing black wool - have been found in ancient island burial chambers. The couple set up a weaving mill on the farm to weave their Hebridean wool and, in addition, purchase wool from other like-minded ethical and organic native sheep breeders. This has lead to the creation of Ardalanish seasonal collections which have developed a fahionable reputation. The farm, mill and sewing shop now employs eight people and has an apprenticeship scheme, all of which helps to support the local community, school and post office. They are currently renovating the farmyard to incorporate a workshop area endeavouring to bring an educational element into their activities.