Farmer sets up UK’S most northerly tea plantation
● First tea samples should be ready for Christmas
A farmer has set up the most northerly tea plantation on the British mainland.
Lucy Williams and a team of five planters worked through the rain last week to get 1,500 plants into the ground at her croft in the Highlands.
They have chosen Camellia Sinensis, one of the hardiest breeds, which can withstand prolonged periods below -15C, and say the first crop should be ready for Christmas.
Ms Williams runs Tulloch Tea with her husband Chris, a forester, on a 1.6 acre site at Bonar Bridge, Sutherland.
They are among a dozen Scottish growers who are now cultivating posh tea for discerning drinkers.
Ms Williams said: “A team of five planters worked through rainy weather to get the plants into the ground.”
The couple are being supported by the Scottish Tea Growers Association (STGA) and also Scotland’s first tea producer Tam O’braan who runs the Wee Tea Plantation at Dalreaoch Farm Estate, Amul-