Luxury ice cream maker Cream o’ Galloway is proving that ice cream needn’t just be for summer with the launch of a programme of special events, menus and experiences for the colder months.
The popular visitor centre’s winter programme starts on Wednesday 3rd November with the launch of a craft fair that showcases the work of more than 20 local crafters and makers. The seven-week long craft display will provide an opportunity for visitors to browse and buy pieces by textile artists, woodworkers, jewellery makers, chocolatiers and potters, many of whom do not typically exhibit their work.
The craft fair complements a seasonal menu featuring warming, locally produced food, the introduction of organic milk from the farm to take home, and discounts of up to 50% off workshops and farm tours. A late night opening event, with mulled drinks and cheese tasting, will take place on 6th December.
The Cream o’ Galloway team are also encouraging people to explore nature during the colder months, with on-site nature walks and the fully enclosed dog walk remaining open over winter. Exploring on two wheels is being encouraged with an E-bike Taster Day on 20th November. Local e-bike experts, Wm Laws of Kirkcudbright and The Breakpad from Kirroughtree, will have a selection of adult e-bikes for visitors to try out Cream o’ Galloway’s bike trail.
For owner Wilma Finlay, the decision to extend the opening of Cream o’ Galloway into the winter months is a natural evolution of the visitor centre as a place for people to gather and to connect with nature. She said:
“Autumn and winter is a time to relax and take life at a slower pace, and we’re reflecting that in the menu, our events and the cosy log burning stove, powered by wood from the farm.
“Over the next few months we want to use the space in our visitor centre to create a platform for local artists, crafters and makers. We tested a craft display last year which proved very popular, so we’re delighted to extend it this year. We hope it provides an accessible and relaxed opportunity for people to showcase their work, and we’re especially keen to include people who have never exhibited before.”
Cream o’ Galloway also now includes a full range of products from sister company, The Ethical Dairy, which makes traditional cheese from the cow-with-calf milk produced by the farm’s pioneering dairy. As well as cheese and fresh milk available every day, the full story behind the development of Cream o’ Galloway and The Ethical Dairy is told in recently published book ‘A Dairy Story’, which is also available to buy at the visitor centre.
Wilma added:
“Cream o’ Galloway has always been a place where people can come together to share experiences. Providing a wide range of memorable, shared experiences – and an opportunity to connect with nature and our local community – is the thinking behind our winter programme of events.”
Christmas Craft Fair takes place daily from Tuesdays-Sundays, 10am-4pm, and is free of charge to attend. Crafts include upcycled fabric bags, dolls and festive wreaths from Ann Campbell of Rags to Riches from Moffat, jewellery made from natural and recycled materials, such as wood, copper and seaglass by Jane Carson of Wild Nirvana Jewellery from Gatehouse of Fleet, pottery from Whithorn-based Anne Brown Ceramics, handmade soap and shampoo bars from Glenluce based Blackhill Soaps, fresh luxury chocolates from Stranraer’s Stacy Hannah Chocolates, and much more.
Ice Cream Making Workshops are half price over the winter, take place on weekends and Tuesdays, and cost £12.50 per workstation, for up to three people working together. The workshops include festive flavour options, including alcohol for adults-only groups.
The Ethical Dairy Farm Tour takes place each Tuesday and is also half price, costing £12.50 per person. Led by farmer David Finlay, who pioneered cow-with-calf dairy farming in Scotland, the event explore the environmental impacts of different farming approaches and topical issues.
Full day Cheese Making Courses have £20 off, now £75 per person, and run on selected dates in November and December. The course includes practical cheese making sessions, a farm tour, cheese tasting, cheese store tour and lunch.
E-bike Taster Day takes place on Sunday 20th November, from 10am-4pm and is free of charge to attend.
Festive Late Night Opening takes place on Tuesday 6th December from 6pm-9pm and is free of charge to attend. Event includes mulled drinks, cheese tasting and an opportunity to meet local makers participating in the craft fair.
