Cosaig Growers was founded in 2016 by partners Kate Wieteska and Jake Butcher after years of working and learning about agriculture on Corrary Farm in Glenelg. Driven by a desire to bring more fresh produce to the local community and a longing to stay rooted in the area, Kate and Jake set out to find a piece of land they could cultivate long-term.
This proved challenging however, with limited affordable land options in Glenelg. Finally, through perseverance and a bit of luck, they discovered a disused piece of land in Cosaig, a north-facing hillside considered ‘worthless’ for farming due to its acidic soil and challenging terrain. But for Kate and Jake, ever the optimists, it was the perfect challenge and an opportunity to create something special.
Part One
Cultivating Outside the Box
Cosaig Growers has developed an unconventional approach to farming. Embracing no-dig techniques, minimal plastic use, and outdoor growing adapted to Glenelg’s harsh climate, the couple built 55 beds for vegetables, planted native woodland, and established a hillside blueberry plot.
Their mission is to create food that thrives naturally in the environment, ensuring resilience amid climate change. By avoiding traditional plastic-covered polytunnels, they grow hardy crops suited to the West Highland climate, starting seedlings in a greenhouse and then transitioning them outdoors to face the elements.
Part Two
Commitment to Community and Heritage
As active members of the Regional Food Group, the Highland Good Food Partnership, Cosaig Growers collaborates closely with local businesses, such as nearby cafés, the local shop and the Glenelg Inn, to strengthen regional food networks. They provide fresh vegetables to the community through weekly veg boxes and their farm stand, which is set up in a trailer provided by the Glenelg Inn. This setup, which Kate and Jake call "a game-changer," has made their produce more accessible to the local community.
Beyond their work with local businesses, Kate and Jake are deeply committed to community engagement. They collaborate with local schools, hosting farm tours and supporting the school’s growing space to inspire and educate future generations about sustainable food production. Through these efforts, they’re helping foster a new generation of food growers in the area.
Cosaig Growers also embodies Glenelg’s traditional farming practices, honouring the area’s agricultural heritage by using hyper-local inputs such as seaweed from the shore and manure from nearby crofters. The support of the local community—and the knowledge shared among members of the Highland Good Food Partnership—has been invaluable, offering insights tailored to Glenelg’s unique growing conditions.
Part Three
Pride in Scottish Produce
The resilience required to farm on the north-west coast of Scotland is immense, with late frosts, washouts, and unpredictable weather. Yet, Jake and Kate see this as a strength—a testament to the tenacity of Scottish farmers and the rich diversity of produce that can be achieved even in the harshest climates.
One of the couples most memorable challenges was terracing the hillside for their growing area—a massive task completed entirely by hand. Using natural materials like brash from woodland thinning to build barriers, they transformed the once bracken-covered hillside into a thriving blueberry field. Now, this area bursts with blooms each spring, attracting bees and boosting biodiversity.
The Future is Bright
Cosaig Growers has become a symbol of community spirit, environmental stewardship, and the unifying power of local food. Their recent milestone of selling produce “over the hill” to businesses and individuals on Skye represents just the beginning of their larger dream: expanding the farm to create opportunities for others to join their mission.
They envision a collaborative project that could include partnerships, paid traineeships, or therapy sessions—offering people a chance to connect with the land. Their hope is that Cosaig Growers will continue to nourish the community while inspiring resilience and fostering a deeper connection to the environment in the face of a changing climate.