A new shop has celebrated its first three-months in business by further expanding its offering to meet customer needs.

Run by the team behind Culter Perennials, The Farm Shop at Milton of Crathes not only stocks the company’s own locally grown perennials, it has also grown to become a popular new outlet for some of the north-east’s finest produce.

In 2021, Culter Perennials underwent its first expansion as it moved from a back garden to an acre of land on Leys Estate. Since then the business has flourished and Sam Warnes, along with his father David, are now familiar faces at farmer’s markets and events across the north-east.

The Farm Shop is another important milestone for the family business and has seen the pair transform a former storage space into a bright and welcoming farm shop.

As well as selling their own perennials, shrubs and trees, the shop stocks produce from many popular north-east businesses and individuals including Castleton Fruit, Bennachie Coffee, Deeside Honey and Dean’s to name a few.

The team has also extended its stock to include fruit and vegetables from their own nursery including berries, garlic, potatoes and radish.

Reflecting on the past three months, Sam added: “Our ethos has always been to produce the best quality local perennials and produce we can while also supporting other local enterprises.  Having only been establish for four years, it was a big step for us to open our own Farm Shop. However the feedback from customers has been extremely encouraging and we have already expanded our ranges to meet our customer’s needs.

“We also stock a small selection of gardening tools and cater for our four-legged customers with a range of tasty dog treats to keep them happy while you are out enjoying the local area.

David Smart, Leys Estate Group Chief Executive, said: “As an estate, we are committed to helping new businesses grow and find their full potential.

“Sam has worked hard to not only develop Culter Perennials as a key source of quality local perennials, but he has also identified an opportunity to further expand and diversify the business at Milton of Crathes.

“We wish Sam and David all the very best at Milton of Crathes and look forward to watching their business flourish.”

The shop is open Tuesday – Sunday between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Milton of Crathes is situated on the A93 near Banchory and is currently home to Milton Art Gallery, Milton Brasserie, Hidden Scotland, TwinPeakes Fly Fishing, Whitestag Barrels, Whitesky Photographics and Livi Loves Dress Agency.