Login

Join the list

Be the first to explore our seasonal collections of exceptional Scottish food and drink.

Article: Isle of Mull Cheese

PrevNext
Isle of Mull Cheese

Isle of Mull Cheese

Share

Meet The Makers:

Isle of mull Cheese

Situated on the spectacular Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, Isle of Mull Cheese operates from Sgriob-ruadh Farm as the last remaining dairy farm on the island. The story began in 1980 when Jeff and Christine Reade, alongside their four sons, made the ambitious move north from Somerset. They purchased a dilapidated farm just outside Tobermory and spent years transforming a neglected site into a thriving family enterprise. Today, the second and third generations of the Reade family continue this exacting work, preserving a vital piece of Scottish agricultural heritage.

THE TERROIR OF THE ISLAND

The foundation of the Reade family's craft is rooted in a profound respect for their dairy herd and the harsh, beautiful environment they inhabit. The high rainfall and salt-laden winds of Mull produce exceptionally lush, rich grazing pasture for their cattle.

The family deliberately avoids pasteurising their milk, choosing instead to allow the natural microflora to dictate the texture and flavour. This ensures the distinct character of the land is reflected in every wheel. In a remarkable nod to true sustainability, the herd's diet is supplemented with draff, the spent grain husks directly sourced from the nearby Tobermory distillery. This grounded approach not only minimises waste but imparts a subtle, boozy warmth to the final cheese.

AN INDEPENDENT, SELF-SUSTAINING ESTATE

Sgriob-ruadh is not merely a dairy farm; it is a lesson in environmental resilience. Operating in such a remote location requires intense self-reliance, and the family has created a remarkably efficient, circular energy system to power their craft. A local stream drives a hydroelectric turbine, a wind turbine harnesses the Hebridean gales, and a wood-fired boiler uses timber from their own estate to heat the dairy.

Once the curds are formed, they are pressed in homemade wooden presses before being bound in traditional muslin. They are then aged in custom affinage rooms built directly into the hillside. This clever architectural decision uses the natural insulation of the earth to maintain the perfect temperature and humidity for months on end, completely removing the need for artificial refrigeration.

INSIDE OUR SCOTTISH HAMPERS

We are exceptionally proud to feature the Reade family's provisions within our curated collections, chosen for their raw milk provenance and their deep commitment to the authentic Scottish larder.

ISLE OF MULL FARMHOUSE CHEDDAR

A robust, deeply authentic provision that captures the island landscape. It delivers a highly tactile, slightly crumbly texture with a rich, savoury profile that is famously sharp and tangy. The natural variations in the unpasteurised milk mean every wheel offers a wildly rewarding finish, often carrying a faint hint of the distillery draff and the coastal air. It serves as a definitive anchor to any artisan cheese board, pairing flawlessly with a strong, malty ale or a generous pour of island whisky.

Isle of Mull traditional farmhouse cheese wedge wrapped in parchment, an artisan Scottish cheddar.
Meet More Makers

Discover Isle of mull cheese in our curations

An overhead flat-lay of a gourmet charcuterie and cheese board arranged on a dark textured surface. The board includes sliced cured meats, several types of cheese, round crackers, a jar of preserves, packaged snacks, rosemary, and a white mug filled with black coffee.
Taste of Scotland Sale price£106.40
The Croft and Coast Fromager hamper featuring a signature black presentation box surrounded by a rich assortment of artisan cheeses, sliced charcuterie, crackers, preserves arranged on a dark grey textured surface.
The Croft & Coast Fromager Sale price£135.70
The Highland and Island Duo hamper featuring a signature black presentation box displayed alongside a box of water biscuits, two artisan cheeses, and a jar of quince jelly on a dark grey textured surface.
The Highland & Island Duo Sale price£57.00
Sold outThe Highland Union hamper featuring a signature black presentation box displayed behind a large selection of artisan food and drink, including two bottles of spirits, smoked salmon, cheeses, sliced charcuterie, coffee, tea, chocolate, biscuits, smoked cashews, Scottish tablet, Dundee cake, and a jar of pickle, arranged on a dark grey textured surface.
The Highland Union Sale price£256.55
The Fireside Retreat hamper featuring a signature black presentation box displayed behind smoked salmon, paté, two artisan cheeses, water biscuits, sliced charcuterie, and a jar of quince jelly arranged on a dark grey textured surface.
The Fireside Retreat Sale price£86.20
Sold outThe Founder's Reserve hamper featuring a signature black presentation box displayed behind an extensive selection of premium goods, including a bottle of single malt whisky, rapeseed oil, cured meats, artisan cheeses, three tubs of paté, water biscuits, sea salt, chocolate, a jar of pickle, and a bottle of scots pine syrup, arranged on a dark grey textured surface.
The Founder's Reserve Sale price£189.20
Sold outThe Culinary Alchemist hamper featuring a signature black presentation box displayed behind a chocolate bar, smoked salmon, two boxes of biscuits, rapeseed oil, balsamic dressing, a large bottle of gin, two cured meat sticks, two artisan cheeses, a box of sea salt, a small bottle of fruit syrup, and a jar of mustard, arranged on a dark grey textured surface.
The Culinary Alchemist Sale price£198.90
An overhead flat-lay of an artisan spread on a dark grey surface, featuring a slate platter displaying slices of cured sausage, a block of artisan cheese with a cheese knife, and oatcakes, alongside a wooden board with a bowl of pickle and further oatcakes, accompanied by a Stornoway black pudding, all set on a fabric runner.
The Hillstalker's Larder Sale price£89.15
Sold outAn overhead flat-lay of an artisan spread on a dark grey surface, featuring a wooden board displaying slices of charcuterie, a block of artisan cheese with a cheese knife, and oatcakes, alongside a bottle of single malt whisky, a bottle of birch water, a bar of chocolate, and a cluster of smoked cashews, all set on a fabric runner.
The Alchemist's Dram Sale price£134.40
Sold outAn overhead flat-lay of an artisan spread on a dark grey surface, featuring a slate platter displaying slices of charcuterie, a block of artisan cheese, and oatcakes, alongside a bottle of whisky, a wooden board with a bowl of preserve, a separate bowl of mustard, a chocolate bar, and shortbread, all set on a fabric runner.
The Crofters Feast Sale price£168.55
An overhead view of The Artisan Larder hamper ingredients arranged on a white board against a dark grey textured background. The selection includes a wedge of hard cheese, sliced charcuterie, a whole black pudding, nuts, small bowls of oil and chutney, scattered sea salt, and a small brass spoon.
The Artisan Larder Sale price£120.25
View all Collections