Cairngorm Pork - Our Story
Diary Archives
Decent weather at last
Posted on 07 Feb 2012 by Tony
After months of rain the weather has finally turned colder and the ground has frozen. This means that the pigs aren't constantly wading through a foot of mud and needing clean straw daily. The next batch of pigs are due for processing at the end of February and orders are now being taken for fresh pork.
Pigs relocated
Posted on 19 Oct 2011 by Tony
If you have been in touch recently, you will know we are on the move. A combination of work and wunderlust is taking us Down Under. And no, the pigs aren't going that far....
We are delighted that Tony and Jan, from Torrans, just outside Tomintoul have taken over the herd - so the pigs will still enjoy the surroundings of the Cairngorms National Park.
The move went smoothly and all the pigs are settled in. Emails from this website will now be directed to Torrans and I am sure Tony and Jan will be able to help with all matters porcine.
Trevor and I would like to thank all our customers for making our pig-keeping venture enjoyable and successful. I know Tony and Jan will be putting in the same effort to create a naturally-reared traditional pork, so you will still be able to enjoy its great flavour.
Please keep an eye on the website for their news, re. availability of pork / weaners etc.
Deja Vu!
Posted on 09 Jan 2011 by Tony
Yes, we have another cold winter, and hours of fun carting buckets of water from the burn.... Only this year we have 39 mouths to feed and water compared to 10 last year!
The good news is both Tickles and Smokey have farrowed successfully - 19 piglets in total - all now weaned and thriving. Their resilience and hardiness never ceases to amaze me. Both Mums once again took it all in their stride. Milly, we hope, is in pig, having spent the autumn in Wilbur's company. We think she should be due around 20th Feb. Hopefully her litter is as high a quality as her last one - she produced some outstanding piglets, which would have been suitable for breeding - unfortunatley mainly boars, and there just isn't a demand for male breeding stock. It is a shame to see such good quality animals end up on the dinner plate, but they do also make tasty pork, which ultimiately is what we are about.
Now that we are in full swing, we hope to be at the majority of the Cairngorm Farmers' Markets this year. The next one is 12th Feb in Aviemore. We would love to see you there.
WEANERS FOR SALE!!
Posted on 06 Sep 2010 by Tony
Two of our three litters of OSB pedigree weaners have been successfully weaned. The third will be weaned this weekend. Although many have been reserved, we still have some available, if you fancy having a go at producing your own very tasty pork!
There are still some really cute ones left!
Piglets everywhere!
Posted on 16 Jul 2010 by Tony
Bosey had 10 piglets 2 weeks ago and now Specky has had 11! These are our first pure breed OSB piglets and to date all look healthy. We are pleasantly surprised by the litter sizes for first time farrowings, but both mums seem to be taking it in their stride. How they know what to do without having read lots of books and attending ante-natal classes, I will never know.
The remaining large black X OSB weaners are fattening nicely (and noisily when there is food around!)
We have 2 pigs ready for market and will be selling fresh tasty pork at the GRANTOWN FARMERS' SHOW on THURS 12th AUGUST. If you would like to try some pork, but are unable to attend, please contact us by email.
Stop press......
Posted on 22 Apr 2010 by Tony
10 gorgeous (and more importantly healthy) piglets born - Tickles had 6 and Smokey had 4.
They are Large Black / OSB crosses. They are available as weaners in 7-8 weeks time if anyone is interested.
Spring in the air....
Posted on 16 Apr 2010 by Tony
Hopefully that is now the last of the snow!
All is progressing nicely with the pigs and without major event (we will ignore the "anarchy" caused by the failure of the electric fence due to the snow)
Our 2 Large Black gilts are in the late stages of pregnancy - watch this space for news.... It will be first time for all of us.
The Oxford Sandy and Black gilts have been enjoying Wilbur's company for a while now too so there may be some progress there as well.
2 weaners went to market this week - it was sad to see them go and it seems quiet without them - one of them was particularly vocal and liked to chat to anyone who passed. However it does mean that we once again have delicious pork for sale - we will be at CAIRNGORM FARMERS' MARKET in AVIEMORE ON SUNDAY 25th APRIL. If you can't make it then and you would like some pork please submit you order via this website. Our sausgaes this time will be plain pork and pork with cracked black pepper (which have proved particularly popular)
Likewise, please email if you might be interested in some weaners - the ones due very soon are Large Black / OSB crosses and we will have pedigree OSBs soon.
Snow...and more snow!!
Posted on 24 Jan 2010 by Tony
What a winter for our first one with pigs! They seem to love it though - they much prefer it to the wind and rain. The only noticeable thing is that their coats have grown thicker and hairier. Our main problem has been keeping their water unfrozen and this has been largely achieved by filling buckets from a nearby burn. Other than that our breeding programme has been put slightly on hold due to our electric fencing not working in the snow, and a nasty laceration that Wilbur has sustained to his tail - both problems hopefully being resolved soon. Watch this space for news of any impending births!
Despite the weather we have managed to get two Oxford Sandy and Black weaners to market, so once again have some exceptionally tasty, fresh, naturally-reared pork for sale. Please get in touch if you would like to buy any.
All quiet....
Posted on 08 Nov 2009 by Tony
Our second batch of Large Black weaners has now "gone", so feeding time is much quieter - they were a rowdy bunch! As a result Milly has lost her "gang" and has now moved in with the big girls - a much smoother process than our previous attempts at pig integration. Apart from a little argy bargy at feeding time they're all getting on ok and even sharing an ark already!
The result of all this is of course that we now have some more pork to sell..... Please come and see us at the CAIRNGORMS FARMERS' MARKET in BOAT OF GARTEN on SUNDAY 15th NOV 10am - 4pm.
Pig Update - October
Posted on 13 Oct 2009 by Tony
We have some pigs ready for market end of October / beginning of November. Although most of the pork has been pre-ordered, we will have some available and will be attending the Cairngorm Farmers Market on 15 November in Boat of Garten. Hopefully we'll see you there.
It has been quite a busy period. 5 new Oxford Sandy and Black weaners have arrived and are developing well. 2 will go for market in January and we hope to keep one to breed from. The other 2 will go for bacon later in the year. We have now built all the arks and each paddock is divided The last outstanding task is to get water to one of the paddocks. If you are passing by please pop in and we will be only too happy to show you around.
