HOT on the heels of scooping three top prizes at the World Cheese Awards, Selina and Andrew Cairns have announced the opening of their farm shop on Friday 9 December.
Cheese enthusiasts will be able to visit Errington Cheese in Lanarkshire, to buy cheese made by hand on the farm.
Selina commented: “Customers will get to see first-hand how the cheese is made, and it gives us a great opportunity to explain how seasonal changes affect the cheese, the animals and all the other variables that go into cheese-making. We feel this is the perfect time of year to open our shop as people plan their festive cheese boards and are looking for locally-made gifts.”
The shop is housed in the original farmhouse where the full range of Errington cheese will be available to buy, alongside a few carefully-selected farmhouse cheeses from across the UK. Cheese-lovers will have the opportunity to taste before they buy, as well seeing cheese being made and a chance to see the maturing rooms.
“Over the past few years people have become more and more interested in visiting the farm to meet the goats, sheep and pigs, and to see how the cheese is made, as well as buying cheese directly from us. Before now we haven’t had a suitable space to offer this.” Selina continued.
In addition to cheese, the shop will also stock a selection of locally-made condiments, oatcakes and cakes. There will also be an option to buy free-range whey-fed pork reared on the farm as it becomes available.
In the spring of 2023, the Cairns are hoping to launch a small café adjoining the shop serving light lunches with a focus on cheese and charcuterie boards.
There are also plans to open the farm to visitors in the new year for lambing and kidding days, as well as offering self-guided tours so visitors can gain a better understanding of the cheese-making process.
Errington Cheese was established in 1985 by Selina’s father, Humphrey Errington, who kept dairy sheep to make Lanark Blue, a blue ewe’s milk cheese. A hard ewe’s milk traditional-style cheddar, Corra Linn, followed in 2008 to make use of the glut of spring milk.
In 2019, Selina and Andrew introduced dairy goats onto the farm and have developed a range of well-received goat’s cheese. Last month, their Blackmount goat’s cheese won ‘Super Gold’ at the World Cheese Awards.
Loved by top chefs across the UK, Errington Cheese is sold to specialist cheese shops, restaurants, delis, farm shops and through their online shop. Selina and Andrew believe the farm shop will help them forge lasting relationships with customers from far and wide.
The farm shop will be open from 11.30am – 3.30pm daily until Christmas.
The planned launch date is Friday 9 December, but please check Errington’s website and social channels for up-to-date-information.
