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.
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.
An 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.
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
