Nominee Summary
Dupplin Estate boasts an outstanding location just 5 minutes west of the city of Perth beside the model village of Forteviot, and has been owned and operated by the Dewar family for over 100 years. The land is of outstanding horticultural value and farming has been at its core throughout its existence, not least with the close links to whisky production. Today farming continues to play a key role supporting in hand and let farming operations.
The approach of your nominee
This case study is on a particularly successful partnership which Dupplin Estate has supported, bringing together the three separate businesses of landowner, farmer and retail which together are delivering an innovative opportunity. The Niven family at Gloagburn Farm have been part of the estate as long as the Dewars; their 3rd generation continue to produce high quality livestock, cereals, dairy and eggs, which are a staple stock of their hugely successful farm shop which has grown since 2003 into a bustling 130 cover coffee shop. Their success allowed them to buy out their main tenancy in 2013 and further build their business to champion local produce off their own farm and from across Perthshire. Enter The Wee Dairy in 2025, the vision of local couple Tom and Rachael Cratchley who started with a nine-strong herd of Jersey cows on the clover rich pasture on land next to Gloagburn that had become available through further restricting on the estate. Landowner Alexander Dewar said: “I am so pleased that we have found another way to deepen our relationship with Gloagburn and support a new start-up with great potential. "
Overcoming Challenges
The Auchterarder couple had been hunting for an opportunity for their dairy venture and were thrilled when the Dupplin Estate offered them a farming contract — and even more so when their new neighbours at Gloagburn said they’d be glad to stock the milk. The estate invested in a branded vending machine located in the farm shop and the first sales were made in August 2025. This became a platform for Tom and Rachael to build sales of their creamy Jersey milk. Since then they have built the herd to 18 cows and sell to a growing number of local businesses and farm shops as well as to a number of direct customers on Dupplin and in Auchterarder. They count amongst their regulars the 2 Michelin Star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and Gleneagles Hotel. They are approaching weekly sales of 1,000 litres and need to expand their processing facilities. Once again, the close working relationship with the estate has worked for both parties and the Wee Dairy is on the move to Bankhead Farm on Dupplin where the estate is converting buildings to house the cattle and the dairy. They are also taking steps for the milk to be certified as organic. Dupplin Estate report, “The Wee Dairy venture is very exciting to be part of, and we are producing great tasting full milk that is already winning awards.”
The impact of innovation
This is a dream come true for Tom and Rachael who can build an ethical, grass-fed dairy model. There aren’t that many dairy farms in Perthshire,” Tom said, “And there are very few in Scotland doing ‘calf at foot’ and being 'grass-fed'”. Unlike most commercial dairies, the calves will stay with their mothers until they’re ready to be weaned naturally. It means less milk for the consumer; they’re currently producing about eight litres a day after the calves have had their fill. They are breeding beef calves and Jersey heifers to grow the herd further. The joint venture has allowed Tom and Rachael to build their business with the support and resources of the estate without all the financial pressures of a start-up business and drawing on some of the existing relationships with neighbouring farms. This has meant that the couple have been able to focus on the quality of the milk and their herd. Rachael believes that the quality of the Jersey milk will set them apart. It's non-homogenised, so there is a thick later of cream on top. That focus has been duly rewarded with a Gold Award at the 2026 Royal Highland Show in their first year of operation. It also means that the estate is supporting not just another small business, but a young family entering the farming community in Perthshire.
