This is Eastside

13/11/2024

It’s been a while; but woke us from our insta slumber. Collecting flowers and plants from the hills and cottage gardens we were guided to smooth and roll and cast these beautiful fleeting incredible structures, recording them within clay then plaster.
We are so privileged to have been an able to play a wee Eastside residency part in the British Isles grand tour.
Now to wait; patiently for the drying process and the final pieces. What a talent and a tonic you are Katy, thank you thank you from mum & me. X

22/08/2024

22/07/2024

Eastside rewetting project: As part of our 5 year agri-environment plan we are working to (create and) manage our wetlands and water margin to optimise these biodiversity superchargers! Throughout the Eastside glen we are creating a string of wetlands, water margins and scrapes to hold water, slow the flow and act as an insect engine house.

Each big idea starts with small steps. Donaldson Forestry & Fencing completing the fencing - it really is an art form as it weaves along the contours and water courses. Watergates beautifully designed to react to the ebbs and flows of our strange new climate.

Our wetland grazing plan has been carefully designed to reduce the risk of fluke (a parasite) that wetlands inevitably bring to our organic flock. Working with The Moredun Foundation alongside our ecologist The Farm Environment Ltd our timings are optimised for reduced fluke risk and boost ecological outcomes.

There is a huge amount of thought, planning and work that goes into these projects from a great many skilled folk. It has been an absolute pleasure working with each and every one.

Next the diggers & drain blocking.

17/07/2024

Shearing started in earnest yesterday. One of those seasonal jobs at Eastside that gets done much as it was in yesteryear.

We have a shed now to get sheep and shearers out the worst of the wet or sun. But still clip (granted with an upgrade to the old hand shear), roll and pack the wool sheets. Our organic wool clip going to Galashiels to be sorted, graded and sold on to carpet, tweed, mattresses or insulation makers.

We raced the thunderclouds and won this time, gathering and sorting amongst black clouds and a distant rumbling. 618 down, roughly the same to go.

24/06/2024

On Sunday we walked out with Graham this time. Looking to tag our late kestrel chicks before they fledge.

There were 5 eggs remember. Graham roped up and scaled the tree. “How many are we thinking?” He asked. “5” we said, ever the optimists.

His hand went in the box & one by one the young birds were bagged & carefully hoisted down for ringing & tagging.

How many chicks you ask? 5, incredibly, all late chicks hatched and grew. Fluffy & feathered at 21 days old they are just a week off leaving the nest & a month off independent living.

Incredible creatures, let’s hope their late luck lasts out.

19/06/2024

In the last few weeks our wild hill sheep have been gathered down off the hills to Eastside, a little stop/start as we try to avoid the heavy June showers.
It’s an all hands on deck family affair. Our first opportunity to properly check the all the ewes after lambing, mark our lambs with the traditional Eastside lug mark and shear each hefts hogs.
In many ways not much has changed as we echo the work and cyclical calendar of times gone past - & yet much has changed. The best of old & new working in harmony.

18/06/2024

Hill farm / high fashion + dear Oscar.
Delighted to spend a good couple of days clambering through the heather & hill grasses with the team.

03/06/2024

On Sunday we walked out with Keith (our resident bird man) & his daughter to check on the Kestrel nest. Perched in an old Scot’s pine Keith roped up and climbed the trunk to take a look.

Usually by now the chicks are a few weeks old and ready to ring. The weather has delayed this nest, but incredibly there were 5 eggs pipping, hatching imminent as the young kestrel cheep inside their eggs.

Late but great news. Fingers crossed for dry weather and good vole hunting.

02/06/2024

…There are spectacular unspoilt mountain views from every direction with their appearance ever changing as the weather drifts - which is often in Scotland!

29/05/2024

Verdant

25/04/2024

Chop chop 🪓
10% off all stays until the 23rd May.
Book with EASTSPRING

13/04/2024

Wee extras : Guests are given a rucksack, flask & tin cups to take out into the hills. We love these green waxed bags made right here in Scotland by They feel at home here, a fitting addition to our wild Scottish accommodation where the hills are always calling.