About

Birds flying over Loch Leven at sunset

Loch Leven’s Larder sits at the heart of our family farm, Channel of Pittendreich.

A family affair

We took over the running of the farm in 2002 and we’re proud to be the 3rd generation of the family to farm this land, since Arthur and Agnes Braid were given tenancy when they married in 1934. Soon we were supplying supermarkets and wholesale markets in Glasgow, Preston and Newcastle.

Emma, Rob & Mike Niven

We love local

Every time we brought in a harvest, we’d watch lorries full of our vegetables start their journeys across the UK. We were delighted with this but we also wanted our vegetables to be enjoyed locally too. The more we got to know other local producers, the more important we felt drawn to champion and to celebrate the fantastic produce we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep.

Emma baking bread; pumpkins growing in the fields at Channel FarmAn idea is born

At the time, we were also raising our young family and felt the lack of family-friendly venues in the area – we wanted places with a relaxed atmosphere, serving healthy, quality food.

It wasn’t long before we started scratching out ideas and before long, those quick sketches became long conversations which in turn, became firm plans.

Rob and some of the team

The Larder opens

We opened Loch Leven’s Larder in 2005, and we haven’t looked back – we love giving people the chance to enjoy the beautiful location and to taste our vegetables, brought straight from our field, into our kitchen and served in our café and restaurant.

And grows

Since then, we have expanded to become one of the area’s biggest employers, with over 85 staff on our payroll. Some of our team have been with us since day one and we are particularly  proud to see how our younger members of staff develop their skills and confidence during their time with us.

These days…

Over a decade since we opened, the field-to-fork concept remains central to everything we do. The Larder has grown in ways which we could never have imagined – we’re just doing it bigger and better than ever.

Recent Awards Won by Loch Leven’s Larder

2018 – Best Place for Women to Work, Business Women Scotland Hospitality and Tourism Awards

2018 Chamber of Commerce Star Awards – Winner – Best Independent Retailer

2016 – Chamber of Commerce Star Awards, Independent Retailer of The Year

2016 – Chamber of Commerce Star Awards, Business Growth Category

2015 – Greats Gift Awards – National Retailer Award – Best Retailer Initiative

2015 – Chamber of Commerce Star Awards – Winner – Best Independent Retailer

2015 Scottish Thistle Regional Finalist – Best Informal Eating Experience & Hospitality Hero award won by two staff members

2014 Greats Gift Awards – National Retailer Award – Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts

2014 Scottish Thistle Award Regional Winner – Our Warmest Welcome

2013 Scottish Thistle Award National Winner – Best Café, Bar or Restaurant

2013 Chamber of Commerce Star Awards – Winner – Best Independent Retailer

Events

Join Amy to create an Autumnal wreath to display either on your door or as a beautiful table centrepiece, getting you ready for the cosy months ahead! All materials are provided & no previous experience is required, as you will be guided through a full demonstration before getting creative with your own bespoke design. This […]

Kick start your festive preparations and join us for the unveiling of our stunning new Christmas range and beautiful displays. Head Chef Brian and his talented culinary team have arranged a delicious two-course meal, especially for this evening. You can choose to dine first, at 6pm, setting yourself up for shopping thereafter, or alternatively start your night shopping then, sit back and relax for your supper at 7.30pm (and maybe squeeze in a cheeky wee shop after!)

Offering a warm welcome to everyone, whether you are new to wreath making or have some experience. Come along this winter to Loch Leven’s Larder for our popular & festive wreath making workshops. Joining us this year, we have Lyn from Poppy Floral Designs, sharing her wealth of knowledge and tricks of the trade. The […]