Ali and Frederike Gower’s adventure into the wonderful world of craft chocolate started back in 2005 when they toured music festivals selling their organic bars from their hand built, solar powered geodesic dome. From there Chocolate Tree have pioneered ethically sourced craft chocolate in Scotland by buying their cacao direct from farmers in Central and South America. We’re proud to be one of the Chocolate Tree’s wholesale customers, supplying their 70% organic Peruvian hot chocolate to cafés we work with across the Scottish Highlands. 

I visited Ali and Frederike’s factory or ‘atelier’ in East Lothian where their production was in full swing ahead of Christmas. From a modest farm building outside of East Linton, Chocolate Tree are manufacturing a huge variety of ‘bean to bar’ chocolates, from their range of single origin bars to boxes of sumptuous hand-made chocolates that are paired with ingredients such as bramble and cardamom, Blackthorn salt and Aztec spice.

Ali took a break from the production line to talk about his chocolate craft, running a purpose led business and how Frederike and his unique blend of creativity, passion and attention to detail has grown deep roots. Find out more about Chocolate Tree at: https://www.choctree.co.uk

Anna Wells needs no introduction in the outdoor adventure world. Last year she shot into the limelight for being only the fourth person (and the first woman) to complete a round of all of Scotland’s munros in winter. Not only that but she matched the fastest time set by Martin Moran who completed the challenge in 1984/85 in an outrageously nippy 83 days. To match this feat Anna had to ‘move fast and light.’ She ran and snow shoed 282 munros between the 22nd of December 2023 and March 13th 2024.  

Previously well known on the international climbing circuit (including a fastest time on the Cuillin Ridge) Anna had to master the dark arts of winter mountaineering before setting out. Anna pioneered her own style of flexible route finding and tackled the hills with guile, peak fitness and an indomitable spirit. I caught up with her to delve into the details of her planning and approach as well as to try and find out just what draws her to the mountains.  

Since completing the round Anna hasn’t stopped for breath. Her social media pages are filled with daring adventures in the snow that include paraglide skiing. She is writing her book ‘Winter Munro Round’ and still finds time to study data science as well as run her guiding company ‘Rocks and Trails.’ 

Ever since setting up Wasted Degrees in their family garage in 2016 brothers Jack and Conall Low have pioneered diversity in craft ale in Scotland. Apart from a few trusted regulars no two of their brews are the same and they use a diverse range of locally sourced ingredients such as Scottish grown wet hops and pine needles in their ales. They are super excited about moving their business from Blair Atholl into a purpose built brewery and taproom in their home town of Pitlochry in Spring 2026. I caught up with Jack to chat about this homecoming and their innovative approach to craft ale.
To find out more check out; www.wasteddegrees.com

In 2019 Anna Danby decided to give up a secure job in education in Edinburgh to move with her partner and daughter into the Highlands and start a new career as a mountain guide. She went on to set up Wild Roots Guiding which offers a fresh mix of mountain skills together with multi-day camping journeys that include wild yoga and life coaching. I was curious to ask Anna why she took such a bold leap into the unknown and to find out how her mountain adventures in the Scottish Highlands can help change lives for the better.

Stuart Mckie and Jennifer Thompson were living in Glasgow where they both worked as medical professionals when they saw an unusual job advert in April 2023 that offered a complete fresh start on the remote Isle of Rum. Keen for a change from their jobs and city living in the aftermath of Covid lock downs they immediately threw in their hat for the job advertised by the Rum Community Trust to run the island’s only General store.  

Beating off competition from 30 other applicants Stu and Jennifer moved to Rum and embraced island life. In the past 12 months they have already  transformed the store with fresh stock, hot food and Glen Lyon coffee. Much more than a shop their business Wild in the Wilderness is an essential hub for island’s small but growing community, currently with a population of about 40 permanent inhabitants.  I caught Stu and Jennifer at their shop in the village of Kinloch on Rum to find out what inspired their move, the challenges of running a business in such a remote spot and what is like to be pioneers in this fragile community.

Introduction to the new podcast series Brewed for Adventure by Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters