Mearns Chilli Farm was established by Dr Clare Brown, a plant and soil scientist with a background in grazing and erosion management, fossil pollen analysis, plant rooting strategies and soil physics. Clare grew up in Devon but has lived and worked in Aberdeenshire for 28 years. She undertook her PhD (a study of vegetation succession and
Mearns Chilli Farm was established by Dr Clare Brown, a plant and soil scientist with a background in grazing and erosion management, fossil pollen analysis, plant rooting strategies and soil physics. Clare grew up in Devon but has lived and worked in Aberdeenshire for 28 years. She undertook her PhD (a study of vegetation succession and erosion on the Isle of Skye) at the University of Aberdeen. Although a large part of her career was spent studying mountains and moorlands, latterly Clare has worked on a joint UK/Brazil project growing and studying rice at the University of Aberdeen. This provided the inspiration to grow something a bit different on her smallholding in the Mearns. During Covid lockdown a plan was hatched....
Clare and her family have lived at Forgie for the last decade. Due to work and family commitments, up until 3 years ago, the land was used for grazing and the odd crop of hay. During Covid lockdown, the chilli farm was born and in 2021 the first crop of chillies were ripening in the shelter and warmth of the polytunnels. Although this can
Clare and her family have lived at Forgie for the last decade. Due to work and family commitments, up until 3 years ago, the land was used for grazing and the odd crop of hay. During Covid lockdown, the chilli farm was born and in 2021 the first crop of chillies were ripening in the shelter and warmth of the polytunnels. Although this can be a wild and windy hill, light levels are great, thanks to reflection off the North Sea, and ventilation helps keep some less desirable plant-munching bugs at bay. Forgie is located in the Mearns (formerly the historic county of Kincardineshire), a beautiful corner of Aberdeenshire stretching from the craggy and sandy coast to the heather-clad foothills of the Grampians. Mearns Chilli Farm is just one of the numerous excellent food and produce businesses for which this area is renowned.
Inspired by a visit to a chilli farm many years ago, Clare was fascinated by the sheer variety that exists within the Capsicum genus. With its genetic origins in the foothills of the Andes, it has evolved and spread to so many corners of the world. Chilli plants are truly amazing - big, small, purple flowers, white flowers, green flower
Inspired by a visit to a chilli farm many years ago, Clare was fascinated by the sheer variety that exists within the Capsicum genus. With its genetic origins in the foothills of the Andes, it has evolved and spread to so many corners of the world. Chilli plants are truly amazing - big, small, purple flowers, white flowers, green flowers, hairy, not hairy, green, purple or variegated leaves... As for the fruit, the diversity of colour, shape, heat and flavour is far beyond what you might expect, from the limited fare available at most supermarkets. Clare is excited to share some of these wonderful and diverse varieties of pepper and chilli with local and visiting customers alike, and also to share her knowledge and love of the whole plant, not just the fruit. What will you try? Which will be your favourite?
In 2022 I was delighted to host the lovely Carole Baxter of BBC Beechgrove Garden. We spent a lovely day together, culminating in a 5 minute section, 4 minutes into in episode 24 of the 2022 series, which you can watch on BBC iplayer.
I was delighted to be contacted by Gardeners World Magazine, as a contributor to an article on the 12 best chillies to grow in the UK, as recommended by four different UK growers including myself. My recommendations, as a northerly grower, included Aji limon, Poblano and Joe's Long Cayenne!
The lovely Rosie Morten from Scottish Field Magazine wrote this wonderful article about Mearns Chilli Farm and my story as a chilli grower.