Have you seen our new key rings for the lodges yet? I posted a few pictures on our social media accounts the other week to show them off!

They were made by McRostie Scotland, experts in the making of leather goods. McRostie are also a small local family business made up of Colin, Kareen, Linsey and Stuart. My sister Linsay and I have been friends with Linsey and Stuart for the best part of 15 years after meeting at our local Young Farmers Club.

During our time in the club we had the chance to explore the McRostie workshop and see Colin’s work in action. Colin is an expert in what he does and creates some beautiful pieces; from key rings and belts to handbags and sporrans for the National Rugby Team! Last year he also created a sporran for JJ Chalmers for his appearance on BBCs’ Strictly Come Dancing.

The key rings that we originally had for the lodges were fine. They did the job but weren’t anything special and didn’t relate to ‘Larch Green’. It’s wasn’t until I got into my car after finishing a check out that I spotted my own car keyring that was made by McRostie 7 years before.

The Young Farmers Club had celebrated their 70th anniversary back in 2014 and Colin produced bespoke key rings in different colours to give out to the members at the annual dinner dance. I had picked a dark brown coloured one. They look great and have lasted so well; I felt silly that I hadn’t immediately thought of McRostie for our own ones before!

I contacted Linsey straight away and then spoke to Colin to talk about some options. I had already tested out my own key ring for size in our self check in key box, so knew the size and shape would be ideal. We decided on a dark green colour and a simple ‘B’ ‘F’ and ‘P’ for Buzzard, Fox and Pheasant Lodge. I was so surprised when Linsey contacted me just a few days later to say they were finished!

When I went to collect them it dawned on me that I hadn’t seen any of the Campbell family for over a year due to the pandemic. It was so lovely to see them and catch up with Linsey, Stuart and Colin. Linsey told me she was looking forward to seeing her niece and Stuart asked about my travels to New Zealand before lockdown. We chatted for a while about family, future plans and what we had gotten up to recently. They are a genuinely lovely family and I can’t wait to see them properly again when restrictions allow.

If you would like to support the McRostie business then have a look at their website www.McRostie.co.uk

Quality products, beautifully made.

 

Laura