Can Sutherland feed Sutherland?

How can we produce more food locally? How easy is it to access locally grown and reared food? These were some of the questions at the heart of the Convention on Local Food Production hosted by the Kyle Feeds Project at Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust and Planet Sutherland.

The Convention on Local Food Production was held at Ardgay Hall on Thursday 2nd October, part of the Highlands and Islands Climate Festival. This well-attended event featured contributions from different speakers, sharing valuable insights from a perspective of food production, environment, and Third Sector. It was followed by refreshments and a Q&A session with the guest speakers. 


In her opening remarks, Miranda Jones, Kyle Feeds Project Officer said, “It’s actually thanks to the Sutherland Community Partnership Food Poverty Group that is chaired by Jim McGillivray that this food convention has been planned, that and my own experience and conclusions drawn from working on the Kyle Feeds project - namely, food insecurity is a very real thing, we are not producing enough food locally, food that is cultivated or reared here may not be accessible, and many local food producers have to do an awful lot of work to get their produce to the consumer.”


Miranda and Marieke de Jong talked about the exciting “Seed to Supper” project, which will start by growing locally adaptive and adapted seed and has a strong focus on education.


Donna Gillies (The Hirsel) talked about the challenges - and rewards - of regenerative agriculture on their family farm, and her passion to produce food and fibre for the community.

Cara Cameron, Lochview Rural Training CEO, talked about her social enterprise, dedicated to promoting rural skills and wellbeing. One of the key elements of this project is learning about where food comes from.


Moya Macdonald, from Highland Good Food Partnership, introduced the goals of the partnership, bringing together communities, farmers, crofters, food businesses and public bodies to build a resilient, regenerative and supportive food system.


Kate Heightman from The European Nature Trust (now working at the Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust) discussed why investing in nature supports sustainable production through functional ecosystem services. 


Some of the questions at the Q&A session were focused on co-operatives, community orchards and mobile apple press, the need for local cold storage facilities, community greenhouses and infrastructure, and a potential community larder hub or mobile van service.


Highland Councillor Jim McGillivray said, “This was a very well attended meeting with a number of very interesting speakers who expertly teased out the many issues both positive and negative which they have experienced, and their energy and commitment is to be commended. In Sutherland we suffer from latitude, geography, climate and regulation in almost equal measure, but I came away with optimism as to what can be achieved. I also came away with a commitment to try to resurrect an old project to establish a mobile abattoir facility, and that currently sits on my desk awaiting inspiration.”


A follow-up online meeting is planned for early 2026 and will focus on ways to move forward with key issues raised – local food hub, infrastructure, butchery and abbatoir needs.