In this episode, Suzie meets Ruaridh Hesketh of Galloway Lodge. A family enterprise bringing marmalades, chutneys and jams to the people of Scotland since 1971. Or thereabouts!
Ruaridh speaks passionately about the company he took over after his father died. Galloway Lodge are fiercely focused on making things from traditional recipes, avoiding many of the preservatives and sweeteners that their rivals require. None of this is done at the expense of taste - as Ruaridh says ‘Life’s too short to have stuff that doesn’t taste good’. We couldn’t agree more!
The conversation circles back to taste often; when discussing new recipes (like their barbeque sauce) or old favourites that have been redesigned for modern production methods (like their strawberry jam). It’s hard to imagine that Galloway Lodge initially made knitwear in the late 1960s! Some things have changed lots since then, although there is a clear lineage to the quality and traditions that still serve the company well today.
Ruaridh’s father worked with local suppliers as Galloway Lodge do now, and Ruaridh seems to have inherited his father’s pragmatism too; the introduction of marmalades in the old knitwear shop was recognition that people needed a less expensive item to buy when they visited. Today, Ruaridh, alongside his mum and wife, have been savvy in their use of the hugely successful coffee shop, which utilises their own products as a way to ‘road test’ them in great pairings such as a brie sandwich with spicy pear chutney.
It’s no surprise here that the conversation dives into some of the favourites of the brand and Ruaridh’s enthusiasm for the products is communicated clearly. As a company who produce everything in-house, he has been involved in developing recipes. One huge success has been his barbecue sauce. He shares a lovely story of trying to make something like traditional American barbecue, but recognising that if he just made a really great-tasting sauce, it didn’t have to be like someone else's. The result is one that Suzie loved in the tasting segment! A textured, peppery barbecue sauce with a kick that works to transform any meat.
Suzie also tries the strawberry jam which she describes as deliciously sticky with amazing flavour. This is a fabulous example of the commitment to quality produce without any compromise on using natural ingredients. As Ruaridh points out, Galloway Lodge employ no food technologist and recipes are not approached as a science experiment with lots of chemicals to integrate. In theory, one might make these recipes at home, although as Ruaridh is frank about the frustrations of making their delicious jam, we might leave the hard work up to Galloway Lodge!
Next on the platter is the spiced pear chutney, which pairs beautifully with any cheese and comes in lovely little jars that avoid the waste often found with larger quantities. The Heather Honey marmalade has a reassuring honey flavour, but Suzie also loved the pieces of orange pulp laced through it. Finally, she tries the Poacher’s Pickle, one of Galloway Lodge’s best selling products. This is described as a ‘gateway chutney, with an apple, tomato and onion base that pairs well with anything.
Overall, Suzie remarks on how she loves being able to see every ingredient in the products and the intense flavours that come through each. These are products to be savoured.
Galloway Lodge has so much more to offer and are always looking to increase the range of products they have on offer. As Ruaridh speaks about brand development, he demonstrates a healthy balance of ambition and commitment to the traditional roots of the company, as well as the ever-present awareness of how the business works with their family.
We are excited to see what’s next for Galloway Lodge after tasting some of their amazing produce! Check it out for yourself here or visit their coffee shop in Gatehouse of Fleet.
