We were delighted to welcome Toby Anstruther of Balcaskie estate as speaker on the 6th February.

The Anstruther family has been a part of the East Neuk community since the mid 12th century, with the connection to Balkaskie started by Sir Robert Anstruther towards the end of the 17th century. However Toby’s talk was very much about today’s world – and his plans for future developments at the 1,800-hectare estate.

The estate runs from the coastline at St Monans to Kellie Law and into the hills beyond, with a mixture of let farms and in-hand farming operations. The variation in soil enables vegetables and potatoes to be grown closer to the coast; cereals and fattening livestock in the middle and at the highest points breeding livestock make best use of the more challenging land.

We heard of plans to move towards organic food production, of hedge planting to benefit wildlife and of the development of the historic Comielaw farm steadings. Toby sees stewardship of the environment and wildlife as a key priority. Conservation and best practice promote a balanced ecosystem and Balacaskie has Wildlife Estates Scotland certification.

The refurbished Comielaw buildings are now studios and workshops for a number of small businesses including a nursery school, designers, photographer, marketeers and a luthier. In fact we were able to see a very fine mandolin made by this latter craftsman.

Toby concluded his talk with reference to the 2016 purchase of the 17th century Kinneuchar Inn and of the Bowhouse Producer Club. The inn is intended to be a showcase for Fife’s finest produce and Bowhouse is thought of as a ‘food assembly’ for anyone looking for Balcaskie, Bowhouse and other East Neuk produce but, unlike a farm shop, only offers produce in season.

Following questions an appreciative vote of thanks was proposed by Tony Lodge.