Sowing the seeds

A wish come true for a healthy treat!

Morven Hastie has run The Wishingwell Farmhouse Coffee Shop on the family farm near Gartness, Killearn since 1997, when she and her family decided to diversify from their main business of farming.

The coffee shop offers light meals, morning coffee and afternoon teas, using lots of Scottish produce, and has recently achieved the healthyliving award.

We caught up with Morven during a typically hectic day, and she told us more: “We are busy all year round, with a core of regular customers from quite a wide area, but at certain times of the year we get much busier.

“We are on a tourist route on the edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, so we get a lot of passing trade as well. We also have a gift and card shop which is an added attraction, especially with Christmas coming up.

“Daily specials depend on the time of year, as we use local seasonal produce as much as possible. We serve light breakfasts, with options such as smoked salmon or venison with scrambled eggs, and a wide selection of coffees, teas and home baking.

“Lunchtimes are really busy, and we also do a lot of afternoon teas. We serve lots of home baking; including healthier options such as scones, low-sugar fruit loaf and low-fat cheesecake, so people can have a treat but still eat healthily.

“It’s a family business, and my mum does all the home baking. She makes a variety of deliciously different scones such as forest fruits or banana and cinnamon.

Morven Hastie, The Wishingwell.

“Since achieving the healthyliving award we find that customers are really taking an interest, reading the menu and choosing the healthier options such as melon instead of crisps as a garnish.

“We didn’t need to make too many changes to achieve the award, but we now offer low-fat spread as an alternative to butter, and give our customers the option of brie instead of cheddar as it’s lower in fat.

“It’s difficult to find a low-fat pâté so we now make our own using mackerel or smoked salmon and low-fat cream cheese, which we serve with oatcakes.

“Often customers will have seen the healthyliving award advertising, so they know about it already. Having the award has definitely generated customer interest, and the more places they see it, the better for us.”

So why not take a trip to The Wishingwell for a healthy breakfast or lunch, or to taste for yourself just how delicious a healthier home-baked treat can be.

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issue eight: November 2008
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