Tasty Scottish favourites set for long-awaited comeback
Following popular demand from Scottish cheese lovers, two classic favourites are back in production.
Lady Mary, a soft lactic, creamy cheese finished with wild garlic, will be released in October, and Strathearn, a whisky-washed cheese, is expected to hit the shelves in 2026.
Strathearn Cheese, which has been under the new ownership of Ben Hodgson since April, is not just another artisan offering; it’s a recipe for success, and the Scots entrepreneur dreams of making his sustainable dairy products a household name.
At just 25 years old, Ben Hodgson is one of Britain’s youngest cheesemakers, but his vision is anything but small. Driven by his passion for traditional methods, sustainability, and innovation, Ben currently produces the famous Wee Comrie, made with locally sourced ingredients. All produce is made onsite and uses packaging from a carbon-neutral company. The company shares deliveries with other local businesses whenever possible to reduce carbon emissions and Strathearn Cheese is made from 100% Scottish milk to cut down on food miles.
It ticks all the boxes for anyone who loves a good cheese. No frills, no fancy names, just beautifully crafted, and now cheese lovers can look forward to the return of Lady Mary and Strathearn.
Earlier this year, Ben acquired the company, rescuing it from imminent closure after its founder – Ben’s former boss – announced his departure from the business.
“My dream has always been to create a cheese that truly resonates with the British palate,” says Ben. “We’re not just making cheese; we’re creating a culinary experience, yet also an everyday essential most households can’t live without… and it’s a proper labour of love. I don’t think there are many people my age with a passion for cheesemaking, but it shows the multi-generational appeal of the simple cheese. The feedback we’ve received from professional chefs and local customers alike has been phenomenal – they tell us Wee
Comrie is their secret weapon for everything from a classic mac and cheese to their Friday night cheese boards and wine pairing.”
“For now, I am concentrating on getting Lady Mary and Strathearn back in production. It’s been clear from attending markets that there’s a real appetite for both, and our first batch of Lady Mary will be ready soon. This cheese has a real faithful following, and I hope it will attract lots of new customers when it goes on sale.”
Ben is keen on sticking to traditional methods too. He explains: “We hand-ladle our curds, stir in open vats, and carefully hand-turn our cheeses as they age. This meticulous approach gives our cheese the unique character and a natural flavour that you just can’t get with industrial methods.”
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Lady Mary by Strathearn Cheese will be available to buy from 9 October, 2025 from www.strathearncheese.com and the following stockists:
Hansen’s Kitchen, Comrie, The Crieff Food Company, Provender Brown, Perth, Gloagburn Farm Shop, Perth, I.J. Mellis Cheese, Smiddy (Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop), Balgove Larder (St Andrews), The Cheesery – Dundee and Broughty Ferry with plans for UK wide distribution in the coming months.
