John and George Sinclair

Winner of the 2025 Diversification Award

About John and George:

For five generations, farming has been at the heart of the Craigie family. When John and his wife Kirsteen took over the family’s struggling beef and dairy farm in 1995, they reimagined its future. Today, Craigies Farm has grown to become one of the UKs leading farm shop destinations welcoming more than 260,000 visitors each year.

Since graduating from SRUC, John’s son, George has brought fresh energy to the business by developing hands-on farm experiences. His activities give visitors the chance to interact with animals, explore machinery, and learn about life on a modern working farm.

Over three decades, Craigies has shifted from traditional livestock production to producing strawberries, raspberries, cherries, currants, gooseberries, and apples. Many are offered as Pick Your Own (PYO), while others are turned into the farm’s homemade jams, chutneys, and apple juices. Seasonal highlights like the PYO apple orchard and pumpkin patch have become annual favourites for local families.

The farm shop showcases Craigies' homegrown fruits, vegetables, and eggs, along with baked goods and preserves made onsite. An artisan butcher’s counter offers Craigies' own pork and lamb, plus grass-fed beef from nearby Dalmeny Estate. The café complements the shop with a menu that celebrates fresh farm produce.

In 2021, the farm introduced 'Little Farmers' - an adventure park designed to help children learn through play - further cementing Craigie's as a family-friendly destination.

Through innovation, community focus, and a dedication to quality, Craigie's Farm continues to grow, offering enriching experiences for visitors while staying true to its agricultural roots.

What the judges said:

“Craigies Farm's ongoing success allows it to expand and offer even more enriching experiences for its visitors. From the pick-your-own (PYO) produce to seasonal events, the farm provides fantastic opportunities for the public to engage more closely with their food and the countryside.”

What John said:

"Winning the Diversification Award is a real boost for our team and our community. Everything we do at Craigies is about keeping farming relevant — connecting people with food, the land, and the story behind it. Diversifying has allowed us to grow while staying true to our roots.”

See John's full story here

See George's full story here