Life on a Farm - Lochwood Farm

Elaine, a (very hardworking !) farmer’s wife and mother of five, is your hostess. Having qualified with an HND in Hotel Management in 1987 from Queen Margaret College University, Edinburgh, Elaine then spent many years with various catering companies in management before deciding to ‘go it alone !

Over the last few years, she has continued to keep up her culinary skills by attending the following cookery schools, including the famous Cordon Bleu Cookery School in Paris and L’atelier des Chefs at Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence and Paris!!

Betty’s Cookery School Harrogate
Edinburgh New Town Cookery School Edinburgh
L’atelier des Chefs Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, Paris
Leah’s Pantry Macclesfield
Swinton Park Ripon
Sweet Mandarin Restaurant Manchester
Streamcombe Farm Dulverton
The Bertinet Kitchen Bath
Eckington Manor Cookery School Vale of Evesham
Ailsa Cooking School at the Turnberry Hotel
The Edinburgh School of Food and Wine
Rick Stein Seafood School Padstow
Lesley Waters Dorset
Lochgreen House Hotel Troon
Ashburton Cookery School South Devon
Cookaway Food Breaks Herefordshire
Peckhams Cookery School Glasgow
Nick Nairn’s Cookery School at Port of Menteith
Dunbrody House Hotel Ireland
Braehead Cook School Kilmarnock
The Cook School Biggar
Cocoa Black Peebles
Lets Cook Scotland Perthshire
River Cottage Devon
Seasoned Course Derbyshire
Bridge 67 Cookery School Leicestershire
Cooking Experience Suffolk

One of Elaine’s ambitions is to attend every cookery school in Great Britain (and now France!) – so watch this space !!!

Farm Land

Lochwood Farm is a 350 acre Arable and Dairy Farm situated on the outskirts of Saltcoats, in North Ayrshire.

Robert and Elaine have lived in their c.18th century farmhouse since they got married in 1990, although the farm has been in the family for just over thirty years.

We are situated up high on a hill and command some of the most magnificent views over the Ayrshire Valley and Clyde Coast.

Farm Animals

We presently milk 150 Friesan cows, twice a day, at approximately 6.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.

We have a Border Collie called Tilly. She is not usually tied up but is very used to people (and biscuits !).

If you have a problem with dogs then please let us know in advance so that we can keep her in during your stay.

This was Geoffrey, our Llama who is no longer with us.

Pickles, was a Christmas present for Victoria, and is her pet miniature Shetland pony – unfortunately not suitable for riding unless you are only two years old!

Ted is our very noisy donkey.

Farm Activities

On our courtyard patio, you could simply enjoy the view or read a book.

Enjoy a peaceful walk in the countryside.

Although not available at Lochwood Farm Steading, there are various other ‘farm’ pursuits within the area that you may be interested in. For quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding to name but a few, please go to – www.activitypoint.co.uk – to find your ideal holiday activity !