Bright and Beautiful

Well, the weather has thrown some stuff at us in the past week - big storms, hurricane force winds, torrential rain, thunderous showers, hailstones  and dark, brooding skies. However, there is still an amazing amount of colour around both in the garden and the shop, and we thought we'd share it with you!

Hydrangeas of many hues

Gorgeous azaleas - the bees seem to think so too!

Herbs - green, glossy and smelling wonderful

and finally, detail from Rag Rug, for sale in the shop

So, the sun may not be shining much, but the colours are still as vibrant and keeping our spirits lifted - that and the cakes!!

Busy as bees!

This is probably the busiest time of the year for us - non-stop plant action and cake eating galore! Pop in and see our fab new stock and look out for our SALE!! Yes, 25% off bedding and vegetable plants, herbs plus special offer on our compost - 50 litre bags at £3.99 each or 3 for £10! Bargain!! 


Meanwhile, feast your eyes on this lot:

Hanging Baskets

Beautiful Hydrangeas

I think we've mentioned our passion for Acers before - love 'em to bits!

And as for the cakes! Mmmm......

It's a bloomin' paradise for plant and tree lovers (geddit!!), as well as new season roses, bespoke hanging baskets, very pretty, potted shrubs and trees there are lots of special offers, as you can see, there is cake, cake and more cake! 

Fyne and Crafty Folks!!

Well, having posted this blog before and then having it 'lost' by Blogger (thanks for that, Blogger!!), I decided to re-post most of the content as the original blog was rather fine and dandy and although the event it was publicising is now long gone I really wanted you all to see some of the fine array of craft-y stuff going on in Argyll - so here goes:


Recently showing in the craft tent at the Loch Fyne Food Fair, the following talented folks from around the region:

Tom Butcher - contemporary, unique and beautiful ceramics 

Tom Butcher designs and hand-crafts both sculptural pieces and functional tableware from his studio on the shores of Loch Long, Scotland.

A Touch of Glass - Hand Crafted Luxurious Glass Jewellery and Glass Art Works

Kirsty Brady is an Argyll based glass artist working form her studio at home, since training in Glasgow in 2002. She works using mainly kiln worked glass art, using traditional techniques to produce a wide range of items. From small pieces of jewellery to large architectural installations.

Highland Bling - Unique and Individually crafted items of ‘everyday wearable’ jewellery 

Made right here in the Scottish Highlands by Samantha Macphee. In addition to Sams' unique and colourful bespoke designs, you can recycle and incorporate your unused or sentimental items of jewellery for a piece of "Highland Bling" with that personal touch!

Lomond Soap - Palm oil free soap, handmade in Scotland 

Lomond Soap is a small soap company based in Argyll, just a stones throw from Loch Lomond. Their soaps entirely handmade, cut and packaged by them. Using Shea Butter, Olive, Coconut & Castor oils along with essential oils, fragrance, herbs, flowers & natural clays, Lomond Soaps have a rich, creamy & luxurious lather that is suitable for even sensitive skin. Free from palm oil, they help to preserve the rainforests of Malaysia & it's inhabitants, particularly the Orangutan. Owner, Corrie Smith, also produces a range of hand creams, lotions & liquid soap.


We are really lucky that in this area we have a wealth of talented Artists, Crafters and Makers - look out for more Craft-y events coming your way soon at the Tree Shop! Plants, trees and a whole lot more!!

A Fyne Food Fair!

The countdown to the weekend has begun and we're very excited. Yes, it's only Tuesday but this weekend not only is the annual Loch Fyne Food Fair taking place in the field next door (see below) it's the 21st Birthday year of the fair!!

All quiet now - wait until the weekend, it'll be heaving!!

This veritable feast for the eyes, the mouth and the ears encompasses all that is great about this beautiful corner of Argyll - amazing food from all over the region featuring the Food From Argyll producers (as seen at all the best festivals, dontcha know!), contemporary and traditional crafts (this year hosted by in the Craft Tent by ArtMap Argyll and Cowal Open Studios, a Fyne Ales bar to wet your whistle at, live music on both days, childrens activities and a Ceilidh/Concert with Rusty Nail on Saturday night! And all within easy reach of Glasgow and Oban, with stunning views and right on our doorstep - lucky old us!!


Watch out for our blog later this week about some of the crafty folk that will be attending! Oh and if you fancy dropping by why not pop in and pay us a visit - we'd love to see you!

Loch Fyne Food Fair 14 & 15 May 2011 - 11am to 6pm.  Next to the Tree Shop, Cairndow, on the A83 (sat nav PA26 8BL)

Green!

Living and working in such a beautiful place makes us think about how we can treat our environment better and strive to be more careful with our wee spot on the planet.

Beautiful Glen Fyne

So, we buy as much of our stock from local nurseries such as the Ardkinglas Estate Nurseries. We 'shop local' for our cafe food - our famous Venison burgers come from Winston Churchill Venison (yes, seriously) at the Balagowan Deer Larder, our cakes, soups, quiches, sandwiches are all made in-house from local ingredients and by our wonderful cafe staff and other local cooks and bakers. This also gives us the opportunity to try out inspiring ideas on each other - usually a good thing!

Mmmm - gluten free Honey, Fruit & Nut slices

Even our plates, cutlery, napkins and cups are 'green' - they make look like ordinary disposable items to you, but these bad boys (see below) are 100% compostable! 

As green as it gets! Vegware plates & napkins

They come from a fantastic firm called Vegware and we were delighted to hear that they were named Best New Product in the Climate Week Awards - Vegware’s completely compostable packaging was the 'most inspiring and innovative entry with the greatest impact when it comes to tackling climate change'. In 2010 they helped their clients save over 110 tonnes of carbon, and are aiming to help save over 250 tonnes in 2011. Not bad, eh! And we are very proud to use them and do our bit at reducing our carbon footprint.

100% Compostable - Genius!!