Last night the Marble Hall at Mount Stuart, the magnificent mansion near Rothesay, burst into life as the venue for a private dinner showcasing the best of local produce.
The event was attended by the great and good of the British food scene and marked the official opening of eatBute, the three-day food festival created by John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquis of Bute and chairman of the Mount Stuart Trust.
Now John Bute plans to establish the eatBute brand as a food label for local produce, along the lines of Taste of Arran. Bute produce has never been branded or marketed before, and eatBute has already been registered as a trademark.
“The Taste of Arran is a recognisable brand and is a great example of what we’re trying to achieve on Bute,” he told The Herald.
“There are many similarities between the islands. We both have cheesemakers, seafood, a fish smokery and ice cream, but Bute has more beef and lamb farms.
“It would be wonderful to see more of our meat sold on the mainland alongside Bute Cheddar. As we strengthen our eatBute brand and people come to recognise our product, I’m sure sales will increase with time.
“The Scottish food culture is changing and people are much more interested now in local produce than in recent years. Our local butcher, Alastair MacQueen of Rothesay, says more of his customers ask about the provenance and sustainability of what they are buying.
“But we have some 35,000 visitors to the island each season and I’d like to see more of the hotels, pubs and restaurants on Bute using local produce too.
“This would have been the situation 100 years ago. What we’re trying to do in a limited way is regain our local food heritage.
“My late father, the 6th marquis, was very keen on agriculture and ran farms on the estate. I too find myself increasingly interested in farming.”
The 51-year-old was born in the mansion, which has been in his family for seven centuries.
Formerly known as Formula 1 driver Johnny Dumfries, he addressed a gathering of over 100 dinner guests to announce his delight that so many local food producers were taking part in this weekend’s festival. It will include a farmers’ market featuring produce form the Mount Stuart kitchen garden, cheese-making sessions, and food demonstrations using local produce by top chefs Skye Gyngell, Dundee-born Jeremy Lee, and Rory O’Connell.
He also expressed gratitude for a £9000 grant from EventScotland, and support from Scotland Food and Drink, Rothesay Creamery, CalMac and many others.
“The support we have had this year is a real vote of confidence in what we’re trying to achieve here on Bute,” said the marquis, who lives in London with his second wife Serena and six children, but spends more than half his time at Mount Stuart.
“We have 59 local producers taking part this year compared to 22 at last year’s inaugural event. Forty-one of them are from Bute itself and include farmers, Loch Fad fisheries, Rothesay Creameries, and langoustine from local fisherman Colin McArthur.”
The Mount Stuart Trust is working closely with Rothesay Joint Campus school to help increase awareness of local food among children – the consumers of the future.
“The farmers and I annually fund a supply of meat to the school for its home economics classes. It’s important that children get to handle raw meat and learn about where their food comes from,” said Bute.
The Mount Stuart Trust has also helped the school set up a kitchen garden allotment, wormery and composting system.
It enlisted John Hancox of the Glasgow-based children’s community orchard to help local schoolchildren plant an orchard in school grounds. In October, the children will plant apple trees on the Mount Stuart estate.
“Knowledge of food starts at an early age,” explained Bute. “It’s very important to learn that growing fruit and vegetables or rearing livestock then sending it halfway across the world is nonsensical in terms of sustainability.
“By encouraging producers, consumers and future consumers, I hope that the future of food production on the island will be secure.”
But sending it across the Firth of Clyde may yet prove irresistible.
PRODUCE OF THE ISLE OF BUTE
Isle of Bute Cheese, produced by the Rothesay Creamery with milk supplied by First Milk.
Mount Stuart Kitchen Garden, which currently produces potatoes, courgettes and carrots, berries and free range eggs, is being developed to increase the range and quantity of fruit, veg and other food products. A new addition will be Bute Honey produced from new bee hives.
Fresh beef and lamb supplied directly from The Plan Farm along with speciality sausages and burgers. The Isle of Bute Smokery produces smoked beef, lamb, veal and cheese as part of a range of ready-to-eat foods.
Fresh brown and rainbow trout from Loch Fad fisheries behind Rothesay.
Rose Veal, produced by Duncan Lyon at Drumachloy Farm.
Pickles, chutneys, mustards and jams by Henshelwoods Fine Foods.
Handmade Tablet by Trish.
Fresh bread and cakes made by the Isle of Bute Cake Company using Scottish ingredients.
John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquis of Bute
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