July 27, 2008, Multiply, Arbroath Spectacular

Arbroath Seafront Spectacular, 2008, and .................the cottage industries

 

This is where I was Saturday; I try to go most years but don’t always make it. This year it was me, one daughter and one grandson. A grandson who won a giant tiger and then had his face painted to match.

This year we were due for a rare treat, a spitfire fly past but…………..our weather being what it was …….the Spitfire canceled on account of poor visibility. A airplane that can’t fly in a  little of the Scottish Haar (Scottish word for sea mist) makes you realise how much modern aviation depends on radar and modern technology. Must admit I was very disappointed at not seeing the Spitfire but didn’t let it marr my day. There is so much at the Seafront Spectacular  it would take forever to list it all, fun fair, stalls and attractions just about sums it up. I always look out for the re-enactors, they are usually fun to watch.

Amid all the frivolity I was very pleased to see two of my favourite local businesses represented, I always buy something from these stalls. For lots of reasons, excellent products produced locally using local ingredients, no cheap foreign labour involved, no exploitation of anyone for anything, no huge profits to multinationals and of course, no air freight which cuts the eco-footprint to almost nothing. These products are made using traditional methods and run as a cottage industry. And; in my book all of that adds up to perfection in consumerism. Oh  sigh.. that every thing we buy could have such a pedigree.

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 http://cairnomohr.homestead.com/index.html

CAIRN O'MOHR WINES; based in Perthshire and said to have a ‘certain jolly taste to them and a strange effect that defies explanation’ or at least that is what the tongue in cheek advertising stuff says. My own particular favourite is Gooseberry mmmmmm mouth-wateringly good!! They also do Strawberry, Raspberry, Bramble, Spring Oak, Elderberry, Autumn Oak, Elderflower, Strawberry, Oak & Elder, Elderflower, Shrubbery and more. Cairn O’Mohr award winning

These are all Scottish fruit wines made from berries, flowers and leaves that grow around about them in Perthshire or actually on the farm itself. It’s nothing fancy, just good, fresh ingredients grown and fermented in the traditional way. Established and owned by an environmentally conscious couple who travelled the world before deciding to bring this wonderful wine to our tables, gardens, beaches, and lots of other places.

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http://baronycrafts.co.uk/default.aspx

BaronyCrafts, all handmade

 

Barony Crafts are small cottage industry who manufacture, retaile and supplly handcrafted soaps, toiletries & hand poured soy candles. They are based in rural Perthshire, not far from Cairn O’Mohr Wines, obviously a good area for this sort of thing. They use locally grown produce to create hand made soaps, candles and skin products. Many of the herbs they use are actually grown by themselves in their own cottage garden.

The gift boxes are handmade at Barony. It’s a young couple (they honeymooned near the North Pole!!)  who own this!!

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Think my daughter thinks it's time to go home!

Another day done.

delete reply luckebabe wrote on Jul 28, '08 Looks like tons of fun!

delete reply starfishred wrote on Jul 27, '08 Looks like you all had fun wonderful pictures

delete reply msowens1 wrote on Jul 27, '08 what a wonderful day, to share with your family... I loved your pictures and your grandson is just too cute, kids just love face painting.... the wines sound amazing.... I love local fairs and exhibits.... you are right about supporting the locals, I loved your blog....

delete reply veryfrank wrote on Jul 27, '08 Absolutely wonderful, sharp, clear pictures. I love events like this. There are a lot of 'Fairs," "Carnivals" and "Bazaars" in the area where I live. We are just on the edge of the farm country, on one side, and the Washington, D.C. Suburbs on the other; less than two hours from the ocean and an hour from the mountains. So a lot of small businesses, cottage industries and fresh food galore. It is such a fun time, if the weather cooperates, to see the young ones enjoy all of the events. I can pretend that I am going because they want to go. At Christmas, everyone brings their games and wares to our County Fair Grounds and there is an indoor Christmas Bazaar and Fete or Festival. A great place to purchase those special gifts. I am particularly taken with your Grandson's tiger face-painting. My Daughter is a teacher of pre-school age deaf children and she is the hand and face-painting expert around here. I haven't heard of bramble and elderflower in ages. Thank you for sharing this.

delete reply brendainmad wrote on Jul 27, '08 Sigh = Me too! Natural, homemade, homegrown products are the best. Congratulations to that tiger who won a tiger! I can see that everybody had a great time.