Knowes Farm Shop

East Lothian

What began as a small business selling hens’ eggs over 30 years ago has flourished into Knowes Farm Shop, a thriving family business run under the careful eye of husband-and-wife team Peter and Hilary Cochran. Today more than 10,000 eggs are sold weekly and the farm, located in East Lothian, grows more than 80 different types of herbs, vegetables and salad crops including carrots, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, turnips, chard, parsnip and coriander in its relatively modest 380 acres of farmland. However, what the farm may lack in size is made up for in quality. A selection of home-made soups, pâtés and puddings are made in the farmhouse using Knowes’ fresh produce. Hilary also makes a range of preserves, jams and chutneys including Seville orange marmalade and redcurrant and Bramley apple jellies, and sells around 500 jars of raspberry jam a year. A variety of bread is delivered three times a week from local bakery, Lo Spuntino. Pies are supplied by Simple Simon and fillings include chicken and tarragon and smoked haddock. They’re best served with Knowes Farm potatoes – choose from a variety including pink fir apple, Saxon, Sharpe’s express and golden wonder.