Pathhead Farm operates an equestrian centre, livery, holiday lets and café/farm shop providing a joyful and exciting experience for anyone who wants to give horse riding a go. Located in the heart of Kirriemuir, the owners of Pathhead Farm believe they bear much responsibility in running the “farm in the town”, choosing to continue running a working farm that produces food sold in their café, alongside welcoming visitors to access the gardens. Pathhead continually evolves and innovates to ensure the farm remains relevant while still operating as a viable business.
The farm has been hugely successful, producing soft fruit and operating a tree nursery that, at its height, sold almost one million bedding plants per year. However, in the 1980s, the fruit industry in Scotland came close to collapsing and the tree nursery business severely diminished. Joyce, the late wife of current owner Ally Bruce, set up a Riding School after the demise of the fruit farm. Joyce was the motivator and lifeblood of the project until her passing in 2016. Ally has maintained Joyce’s legacy and today there can be 60 to 70 horses on site at any time catering for every level of rider, including those with disabilities.
Alongside the equestrian centre, Ally continues to operate a vegetable garden and glasshouse which stocks his café and farm shop. Not only are these ventures going from strength to strength, but Ally is also re-establishing the tree nursery on the farm.
Ally’s aim is to produce wholesome fresh food with zero miles and an exceptionally low carbon footprint, grown on organic principles. His commitment to this can be shown by the various avenues he has pursued to create a sustainable farm business.
Ten years ago, 40 solar panels were installed on the riding school roof, generating enough energy to power much of the farm operations. There is also an 83m borehole down to the Devonian aquifer which pumps water around the farm. The large areas of wildflower meadows along with the interspersed hedgerows and native broadleaf trees support biodiversity and wildlife. Ally has been maintaining this environment of grasslands and meadows for over 20 years and continues to enhance the wildlife habitat on and around the farm. Additionally, Ally is looking at converting the old stone stables that are unfit for purpose into retail units for local tradespeople.
Finally, his latest project involves working with Angus Council to divert leaves collected by road sweepers to his farm. There they will be combined with horse manure to produce a compost mix that acts as an alternative to peat-based compost which is already used on the farm.