Dairy | Cream o'Galloway
Think about it for barely a moment and there’s an obvious link between cows and ice cream. The Finlay family had farmed the grazings at Rainton since the 1920s but with farming methods changing, in the early 1990s they took a long look at their dairy business and explored ways of adding value to the raw product. That was when the ice cream idea surfaced. In the following ten years, so wholeheartedly did they apply themselves to this ice cream niche that they now not only manufacture 27 different flavours of ice cream on site but have bolted on a farm shop and tearoom, and have opened up their farm by way of nature trails and farm visits. Now the home of the famous Cream o’ Galloway Brand welcomes 60,000 visitors a year to their rolling farmlands in beautiful south-west Scotland.
The Finlays have also taken on organic methods, with the farm becoming certifiably organic in 2001. The farm produces 200,000 litres of ice cream every year, of which eight flavours are totally organic. The grass-fed Ayrshire cows each produce a 15 litres per day (about 26pints) – or about 5,500 litres of milk annually.
The milk then becomes, for instance, luxury vanilla, caramel shortbread and sticky Toffee – which are also the best sellers. In their organic range, strawberry pavlova ice cream and elderflower frozen yogurt – the lower calorie option! - are the favourites.
As well as a range of favours designed to send the average visitor into an agony of indecision, visitors also buy home grown organic meat on their visit to their farm shop. The Tearoom offers a good section of hot and cold meals with the emphasis on either produce grown on the farm (including vegetables and salads) or sourced locally. There are also popular Friday Steak Nights throughout the peak season where succulent steaks are cooked to perfection.
Their activities certainly attract awards, for packaging and land management, as well as for their ice cream. For example, Cream o' Galloway carried off the 2004 Thistle Award for Tourism & The Environment – further confirmation of the sustainability regime paying off and of the effort made to raise awareness of environmental and farming issues with their many visitors. Basically,
Cream o'Galloway is about a fun day out – but has a serious message about the food we eat.
Visit the home of Cream o' Galloway!
Our visitor centre is open from 10am daily from 15th March to 2nd November, 2008. There's lots to do whenever you come, and whatever the weather. We hold a 4star award in the Visit Scotland Tourist Attraction award scheme and a gold award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
We have an ice cream parlour, a tearoom and shop. Our fabulous adventure playground includes the indoor 'Smugglers' Warren' with its underground tunnels and climbing towers, an indoor Under 5s play area and an extensive outdoor play area including 3D maze and viewing tower. For the safety of your children, please ensure they are accompanied at all times.
If you're looking to do something more active, you can enjoy miles of nature trails with wildlife watching opportunities, take the dog for a walk or challenge yourself on our family cycle tracks. Picnic tables are provided along the nature trails, by the car park and outside the front of the visitor centre. We ask you not to eat your picnic in our tearoom or Burger Barn.
Cream o' Galloway is a great day out for all.