Soil Association Scotland
Soil Association Scotland is the Scottish office of the Soil Association, the UK’s leading organisation campaigning for a healthy food culture, and planet-friendly farming. The Soil Association is a membership charity, and was founded in 1946 by a group of farmers, scientists, and nutritionists who believed that the health of the soil, plants, animals, people, and the environment are linked.
Soil Association Scotland was set up in 2002 to bring Soil Association expertise closer to farmers, manufacturers, consumers and policy makers in Scotland.
Programmes of work
- The Climate Change Programme is a three year skills development programme that prepares farmers and growers for climate change
- Food for Life, which aims to transform food on the public plate so that it is cooked from fresh, local and organic ingredients. In schools, Food for Life works to improve food education as well as school meals
- The Supply Chain Development Programme is a three year project that helps caterers to develop sustainable menus, and suppliers to access new markets
- Crofting Connections is a project that is teaching young people in the Highlands & Islands about the skills, history, culture and heritage of crofting
- Public policy work, feeding into three main areas: the National Food and Drink Policy for Scotland; the Organic Action Plan; and the Scottish Rural Development Plan
Soil Association Limited is registered in Scotland (charity number SC039168).
Who’s who
The Scotland team comprises:
- Laura Stewart, Head of Soil Association Scotland
- Hugh Raven, Policy Advisor
- Pam Rodway, Food for Life Scotland Manager & Crofting Connections Project Coordinator
- Karen Campbell, Crofting Connections Project Officer
- Lillian Kelly, Development Officer
- Lyn Matheson, Agricultural Development Officer
- Erika Martin, Administration Officer
- Elsie Downham, Food for Life Catering Mark Officer
- Brid McKibben, Cairngorms Food for Life Development Officer
Dennis Overton represents Scotland on the Soil Association Council.
How to find us
The team works from a converted farm steading in Liberton, just south of Edinburgh city centre.
By bus from Edinburgh city centre
From central Edinburgh, buses no. 7, 37 and 47 (heading south) will bring you to the office. Ask the bus driver to let you off at the start of Liberton Brae. Cross the road and walk up the drive at the yellow ‘Tower Mains’ sign.
By bicycle or car from Edinburgh city centre
From Edinburgh city centre head south across the North Bridge and out through Newington to Cameron Toll. You will be on the A701, which is signed posted for Penicuik and Peebles. After a long gentle hill down to Cameron Toll, go through two set of lights, onto Liberton Brae (which is still the A701 and starts to go up a hill). About 100 yards up the hill, Orchardhead Road leads off to the left and opposite, on the right, is a drive leading up behind the houses marked by a yellow Tower Mains sign on the wall; take this and follow it up through the steading (to the left of the main farmhouse) to the free car parking area.
By car from the Edinburgh city bypass
From the Edinburgh city bypass (A720) take the A701 into town from the Straiton Junction (which is due South of the city). Go north along this road for 2 miles. Turn left up a drive leading behind the houses; the drive is just opposite Orchardhead Road. Drive up through the steading (to the left of the main farmhouse) to the free car parking area.