Arran’s Ancient Grains

In June the Voice for Arran we reported on The Arran Pioneer Project’s Ancient Grains venture. Here is an update from The Pioneer Project, and some photos of what happened next – a good crop by all accounts! Though not sure if there is enough yet for George’s loaf!  

In Spring we planted ancient grain seeds in various locations across the island as part of the Scotland The Bread “Soil to Slice” ancient grains project – they sent us Balcaskie Landrace wheat and Fultofta Evo Rye seeds.

The project started with George Grassie from the Blackwater Bakehouse and his dream of a local loaf. Our Island Ranger Zabdi took them to various places, including Corrie Community Garden CIC, Kilpatrick Community Garden, Cordon and Pirnmill as well as Whiting Bay Primary School, Robin Gray’s farm and up at the Ranger Centre at Brodick Castle.

The trial has been a success for the most part, and this year we are planning to scale up and work with local farmers interested in joining the project. The aim is to build future resilience for our community as we produce our own grains, and see that George’s dream of a local Arran loaf is fulfilled.