Ethical Scotch beef fit for a princess

Original Aberdeen-Angus bloodlines were on display when the Princess Royal visited a Borders farming family who pride themselves on being at the frontline of ethical beef production.

Farmers Robin and Alison Tuke from Hardiesmill Place, near Gordon, focus on producing exceptional quality Scotch beef and make animal welfare a priority on their 480 acres.

The princess heard that the cattle are produced using a grass-based system and the family are pioneers of the concept of “terroir” which they believe sets Hardiesmill apart.

“We are rearing cattle to produce the best possible eating experience that we can,” said Alison Tuke.

“We see our farm as the Scotch beef industry’s equivalent to a fine chateau in the French wine regions.

“We take great pride in the fact the beef we produce is distinctive as a result of our terroir – the land and environment of where it is produced.”

Robin Tuke said the farm’s butchery seam-cuts beef to produce one of the largest ranges of steaks in Europe.

He added: “In total, we produce around 16 different types of steaks – some lean, some with fat, some big on flavour, some light, some to be cooked rare, others better done.

“We aim to match steaks to the customers’ palates and wallets.”

Scottish SPCA leaders Kirsteen Campbell and Mike Flynn were on the farm to update the princess on the role the organisation plays in quality assurance and how that works alongside the Scottish farming industry.

Picture: Alan Richardson. The Princess Royal presents Jake Fairley, retired cattleman at Hardiesmill, with a gift to mark his 64 years of service.