At Deer Manor, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond even the most stringent academic metrics. Our Estate’s location, on the wilds of Scotland’s Southern Uplands, means that we have an immediate relationship with – and responsibility to the – majestic nature that surrounds us. We share our spectacular environment with black and red grouse, mountain hares, golden eagles, ospreys, hen harriers, red kites, red deer, roe deer, feral goats and boar, to name a few. The area has one fifth of the Scottish red squirrel population and our Estate’s river teems with native Scottish fish too. We are therefore exceptionally cautious about – and conscious of – our environmental output.
Our processes form the virtuous, earth-enriching cycle that nature intended. Our innovative grow spaces use less land, water + energy than comparably nutritious foods. Our mushrooms are grown on by-products from wilderness-farmed flour + artisan wood mills, and our cold water, energy-reducing processes reduce our footprint further. We compost spent substrate on the estate, use unobtrusive, sensitive lighting which encourages wildlife, and provide wildlife shelters with release sites for rehabilitated animals .
What’s more, our pioneering, heirloom recipe book – Recipes to Celebrate Mushrooms – brims with delicious, cap-to-stem, mushroom-based recipes which empowers customers to reduce food waste. Our packaging is recyclable, compostable + biodegradable too. And, by highlighting provenance and the beauty of Scottish grown produce, we educate customers away from inferior imports. By doing our bit, we hope to be the change we need to see.