Blackthorn Big Day Out 2023

In April 2023, we welcomed around 1400 local foodies to Blackthorn HQ to a sell out day of learning and experiencing food and everything that Blackthorn with a bit more on top. We spoke; Artisan Food, Sustainable Business, Flavours, History and so many other thrilling topics with such interesting points, by our panel guests, from other like-minded foodie businesspeople. We had chef and Author Steven Lamb, Farmer Bryce from Mossgiel, Nutritionist Sonnda Catto, Miso Master- Robin Sherriff from The Koji Kitchen, Saskia & Robert Singer from Narture, Master Distiller Leslie Gracie at Hendricks and Alastair Dobson from Arran Dairies.


We had some other awesome artisan makers, who produce artisan products using Blackthorn Salt came along to support and sell their lovely products such as- Trodden Black Hot Sauces, Overtone Brewery, Flora Brae Soap, Bella Chocolate, Lochlea Distillery, Galloway Pasta, Narture bread, The Koji Kitchen’s Miso Kits and Mossgiel’s butter and bakes. It was lovely seeing lots of ‘made with Blackthorn’ products in the one place, under the Tower.





There were so many other attractions to keep all the family entertained! As you walked about you could go around the Tower, pop over to see the Pans in action, listen to some music by the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra as well as the talented Robbie with his pipes, watch and learn how salt was made by our Ancestors. People could pop in the carriage to pick up some Blackthorn Salt, and some delicious Ochil Fudge and Tablet, that could be enjoyed alongside a coffee from the Bullish Coffee Van. We also held a Blackthorn tasting, with our chat of how Blackthorn salt brings out the flavours in foods.




Folk grabbed a pint to sip on whilst watching some live demos by so very talented Sam and Lewis from Beetroot and Chocolate, the crowed was entertained and kept full of continual samples of awesome local Whitehill Farm venison, lamb kofta from our friends over at Pickens and also some salmon from our neighbours at Pieroni’s all finished off with Blackthorn Salt. Their knowledge and enthusiasm on barbecue cooking is outstanding.



We had the StrEat Food truck serving up their tasty Bao Buns, they were truly delicious, with options for everyone. For the kids we had another sort of tower, a climbing tower by Above adventure, and also a craft corner, with salt art and tower tags. Mossgiel brought Reeta, their lovely model cow along, which the little ones loved to milk!



1400 guests were a lot more than are usual Education groups, Trade customers and the occasional Media visitors, but we managed it and made it totally awesome. It was so much fun to see how interested everyone was and to hear all the questions, even some that we haven’t really thought of before. Everyone left having learnt something new about salt, flavour, sustainability or history, in such a fun way! The atmosphere was astounding, with so many people around the place we are so proud of.

On the day, Saskia from Narture in Ayr says:

**“**We were really honoured to be asked to be part of such a special day, celebrating all things local. It was really great to meet so many other passionate artisan makers and be part of an interesting discussion panel. We hope it will become an annual feature, as it is brilliant having such a wonderful project on our doorstep.”

Emma from Lochlea distillery concluded:

“We had such an excellent time at the Blackthorn Big Day Out event on Saturday! Was lovely to see such a great turn out, we were blown away by the support shown by all the locals and also to see how many amazing artisan suppliers there are in Ayrshire. Lochlea was being shown the love big time, and we loved to see it. Roll on next year!”