MEET THE FARMERS

J. Haig Hamilton & Sons

Our family-run business farms in East Lothian, growing 750 acres of potatoes annually. On half of this area we grow Maris Piper with the remainder being Cultra, Melody, King Edwards and Desiree. We have been supplying Bartletts for two years with early set skinned Maris Piper, usually at the beginning of August.

West Fortune farm comprises of 575 acres and we contract farm another 570 acres at North Berwick with a further 700 acres of external contracting undertaken. We rent in around 550 acres of potato land each year. In addition to potatoes we grow winter and spring barley and winter wheat.

We have been Natures Choice Gold Medallists for the last eight years.

Our business has diversified over the years into waste management. This side of the business which is run by my two brothers has expanded greatly over the last few years and now employs 40 people. We currently take in East Lothian Council's kerbside collection for recycling and run 18 lorries from our skip hire yard outside Edinburgh. This business is currently working towards its ISO 14001 which is a nationally recognised environmental operating standard.