Scotland the Bread is a Community Benefit Society and charity which works to grow better grain and bake better bread with the common purposes of nourishment, sustainability and food sovereignty. In plain terms, that means we are organically growing, and milling into wholemeal flour, heritage varieties of wheat and rye here on the Balcaskie Estate which are more nutritious than most commercially-grown varieties today. Scotland The Bread sells organic wheat and rye grain and flour, milled in small batches on a UK-unique Zentrofan mill. This cyclone mill processes our whole grains into cool, ultra-fine wholemeal flour, while preserving their higher-than-ordinary nutrient levels. Our ‘Balcaskie Landrace’ flour is made up of three different old Scottish varieties which are well adapted to the climate here, and which we are now growing together as a mixture. Our very fine wholemeal flour is best suited to sourdough bread-making, but it is also well suited to pastries, cakes and scones.

What do you produce?

Organic wheat and rye grain and flour, milled in small batches. Our wheat is a 'landrace', meaning it's genetically diverse rather than one single variety. Our rye is an evolutionary spring rye (meaning there is a high degree of genetic diversity in the crop) developed by Hans Larsson in Sweden Both our wheat and rye have above-average values for most key minerals. We also sell sourdough starter, high quality baking equipment and books including our co-founder and honorary chair Andrew Whitley's bestselling bread 'bible' 'Bread Matters'.

Where do you source your ingredients / materials from?

We grow all our own grain organically here on Balcaskie Estate. We constantly have trial plots on the go working to improve the biodiversity and baking quality of our landrace grains.

Why do your customers love your products?

Our super-soft wheat flour has a unique nutty taste that gives bread, cakes and pastry unparalleled flavour. It makes wonderful flaky pastry, light yet wholesome cakes and the most satisfying bread. It is significantly higher in important nutrients than conventional flour: for example our 2019 crop contained 140% of the magnesium over average reference values, 186% of the zinc and 121% of the iron. We have a loyal following for our rye flour too, loved for its flavour and baking quality. Our customers also value our community benefit ambitions: we exist to improve the quality of bread and flour for all, and run many projects working to increase access to the best quality grain, as well as working to pass on the knowledge and skills required to make the most of it.

What are your best selling products?

Balcaskie Landrace wheat flour.

Where can we buy your products?

You can purchase our flour and grain, baking equipment and books on our website for delivery or collection from Bowhouse and at monthly Bowhouse food & drink markets. Our flour and grain is stocked by GreenCity, and at independent stockists around Scotland.

Are you open for visitors? If yes, what are your opening hours?

If you’d like to visit the mill, the best thing to do is come along to a Bowhouse market weekend (the second weekend of every month except January and February), when we are open to the public.

Have you received any awards / lovely recommendations from experts (don't be shy!)?

Our 'Flour to the People' project won the Food Innovation category of the BBC Food & Farming Awards 2021. We were also Highly Commended for the Impact Award 2024 by Social Enterprise Scotland.

Do you sell wholesale? If so how do we get in touch with you to discuss further?

Yes, please contact the mill for wholesale orders.

Who's the best local producer near you (except you of course!)?

Our home at Bowhouse and the Balcaskie Estate is home to too many first rate food producers to pick one! We share it with East Neuk Market Garden, the Butchery at Bowhouse, Futtle Brewery and Angrykulture ferments, all of whom have the strongest of artisanal values and uncompromising commitment to quality.

For anyone visiting your area what's your "must see" local place?

Bowhouse's monthly food markets are a huge draw in the area, it's definitely worth timing a visit with a market weekend.

Website

www.scotlandthebread.org

Address Summary

Unit 8 The Bowhouse St Monan's Anstruther Fife KY10 2FB