Lunan Bay Farm

Lunan Bay Farm is a pioneering regenerative, nature-friendly farm located on the stunning east coast of Angus, Scotland, at the picturesque Lunan Bay. Run by farmers Neil and Jillian McEwan, this innovative farm is committed to producing high-quality, sustainable food and fibre while actively restoring and enhancing the natural environment. They are particularly notable as the UK's only regenerative cashmere goat farm and producers of Scottish asparagus and pasture-fed goat meat.

Lunan Bay Farm: Cultivating Nature, Flavour, and Future in Scottish Agriculture

Lunan Bay Farm represents a new paradigm in farming, where agricultural productivity goes hand-in-hand with ecological regeneration. Founded in 2016 by Neil and Jillian McEwan, their journey has been one of innovation, learning, and a deep commitment to harmonious coexistence with nature. They are trailblazers, bringing cashmere production back to Scotland after decades and demonstrating the multi-faceted benefits of a truly regenerative system.

Mission and Ethos: Regenerative Farming for a Healthier Planet and Palate

Lunan Bay Farm's core mission is to ethically produce nutrient-dense food and high-quality fibre while significantly improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing their carbon footprint. Their ethos is centered around:

• Regenerative Agriculture: Actively working to restore degraded land and build healthy ecosystems through farming practices that mimic natural processes.
• High Animal Welfare: Ensuring their animals, particularly their Cashmere goats, thrive in extensive, free-range environments with the highest welfare standards.
• Environmental Guardianship: Acting as responsible stewards of the land, actively working to enhance wildlife habitats and minimize negative environmental impact.
• Short Supply Chains: Delivering their products directly to chefs, retailers, and food lovers to ensure freshness, reduce food miles, and build direct relationships with consumers.
• Pioneering Innovation: Leading the way in unique agricultural ventures like Scottish regenerative cashmere and utilizing goats for conservation grazing.

Lunan Bay Farm

Key Offerings and Regenerative Practices:

Lunan Bay Farm offers a distinctive range of products and experiences, all underpinned by their commitment to regenerative agriculture:

1. Pasture-Fed Goat Meat:

   • They rear high-welfare Boer goats, renowned for their meat quality.
   • The goats are extensively grazed on coastal paddocks, living a free-range life.
   • Goat meat is known for its high nutritional value, often being lower in fat than chicken and venison, with low cholesterol.
   • They work with a small local abattoir and supply directly to leading chefs and discerning home customers, ensuring a "nose-to-tail" ethos and valuing the whole animal.

2. Scottish Asparagus:

   • Grown as a perennial crop, their asparagus harvest runs from May to mid-June.
   • The perennial nature of asparagus minimizes soil disturbance, creating stable habitats for wildlife.
   • The hand-cutting process further protects soil and wildlife, with farmers often discovering new bird nests, highlighting the positive impact of their nature-friendly farming.
   • The asparagus is freshly picked and dispatched quickly to maintain optimal flavour for chefs in Edinburgh and Fife, and local customers.

3. Regenerative Scottish Cashmere & Cashmere Goats:

   • Lunan Bay Farm is the UK's only farm producing regenerative Scottish Cashmere, marking the first time this fibre has been grown and processed in Scotland in 30 years.
   • They rear a cherished herd of Cashmere goats (descendants of a previous Scottish cashmere project), gently hand-combing the superfine undercoat in spring as the goats naturally moult.
   • These goats are crucial "eco-engineers" on the farm:
     • They selectively browse on invasive weeds like docks and gorse, allowing beneficial clover and grasses to flourish.
     • Their grazing patterns, integrated into rotational grazing, improve soil health and pasture quality.
     • They have a lower carbon footprint than many other livestock.
   • The cashmere fibre is then spun in Scotland, contributing to the "Regenerative Textiles movement" and providing a unique, sustainable, and high-welfare Scottish-grown luxury.

4. Farm Tours & Experiences:

   • Lunan Bay Farm welcomes visitors for unique farm experiences, including:
     • Goat Therapy Retreats: Opportunities to interact with their gentle Cashmere goats in a peaceful coastal setting.
     • "Goats in Coats" Festival: An annual celebration during kidding season where visitors can cuddle adorable baby goats in hand-knitted jumpers.
     • Scottish Cashmere Farm to Fibre Experience: An immersive journey learning about their regenerative farming, traditional combing, and the transformation of raw fibre into yarn.
     • Farm-to-Table Lunches and Coastal Garden Tours.
   • These experiences provide education on regenerative practices and allow people to connect directly with the source of their food and fibre.

Regenerative Farming Practices in Detail:

The McEwans implement a suite of practices that define their regenerative approach:

• Integrated Livestock: The introduction of goats onto previously arable land helps to naturally fertilize soils, control invasive plants through Browse, and enhance biodiversity.
• Rotational Grazing: Animals are moved regularly across pastures, allowing grass to recover and deepen root systems, which improves soil health and carbon sequestration.
• Grass and Herbal Leys: Incorporating diverse mixes of grasses and herbs into their rotation helps capture carbon, improve soil structure, and provide varied forage for goats.
• Minimizing Soil Disturbance: Practices like growing perennial crops (asparagus) minimize the need for ploughing, protecting soil structure and microbial life.
• Cover Cropping and Residue Retention: Keeping the soil covered eliminates bare ground, reduces erosion, and supports soil enrichment.
• Reduced Inputs: Utilizing goat manure as natural fertilizer minimizes the need for synthetic inputs.
• Habitat Creation: Planting thousands of hedgerows and trees (in collaboration with the Woodland Trust) to create new habitats, shelter for livestock, and reduce erosion.
• Biodiversity Enhancement: Involvement in projects like the RSPB Corn Bunting Land Management Project to create wild bird cover crops and support vulnerable species.
• Annual Carbon Audits: Regularly assessing their carbon footprint and adopting recommendations to further reduce it.

Lunan Bay Farm is not just a farm; it's a living laboratory and a testament to the potential of regenerative agriculture to produce exceptional food and fibre while healing the land and enriching the surrounding ecosystem. Their direct sales model and commitment to transparency resonate strongly with consumers seeking genuinely sustainable and ethically produced goods.