Keith Laing and Anne Crawford didn’t start out with the idea of a cafe – Keith just wanted a walled garden and had done since working in a garden nursery years ago. Living in a mobile home during building work five years ago, Keith fulfilled his ambition by shipping in 1,200 square metres of yellow sandstone, 680 square metres of block and 60 tonnes of builders sand to build the wall. There’s still no country house to go with the garden – just a huge metal farm shed – but this unusual place has been put together with passion.
Now there is a large, welcoming and cheery cafe with red and white checked table cloths and log burning stoves. Virtually all the food, including soup, scones and mince pies, is home made, with the walled garden supplying many of the ingredients. A small shop next door sells fruit and vegetables supplemented by outside suppliers – the shortbread and oatcakes are both handmade in Fife.
‘Starting small and seeing how it goes’ is Keith’s philosophy although the walled garden project begs to differ. It’s true that there is no big marketing or branding plan, no trendy Petersham Nursery-style designer looks. Although Anne Crawford probably gives as much attention to the no-nonsense food and the attentive service as Skye Gyngall.
In December Keith and Anne held a couple of Christmas shopping events in the garden which was decorated with old-fashioned braziers, lanterns and there were chestnuts roasting. During they summer they hope to hold a fete complete with a band playing on the band stand.
Another life long ambition held by Keith is to grow peach trees. He is planning to build a glass house so that the peach trees can grow up the wall and the cafe will move into the glass house. He has fond memories from when he worked in a garden nursery of fitting protective paper masks below to catch the peaches so they wouldn’t hit the ground and bruise.
So check out The Walled Garden from the couple who have big ideas in a low key sort of way.
The Walled Garden is signposted off the A985 near Kincardine, Fife. The address is The Walled Garden, Righead Farm by Culross FK10 4AT and opening hours are 10am – 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Check their Facebook Page for opening hours or call on 07951 530571.
Always a warm friendly welcome at this very special place and wonderful food. Customer service….10 out of 10.
Thanks Yvonne – agree friendly welcome without being over the top – Michelle
Is your cafe dog friendly ? I ofter walk my dogs at Devilla and would love to pop in.
Hi Julie
have called The Walled Garden on your behalf and they confirmed that your dog is very welcome as long as it is on a lead. They have a Facebook page and the contact number is 07951 530571 if you need more information. Jane
Had great lunch recently . Great service and lovely surroundings. However need a phone number as I may have left something on my table. Cannot find a number. Can someone please get back to me on this? Thank you
Heard good things about this place but tried to find it using my sat nav and no joy after a couple of attempts :-(. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Elaine, will forward your message to the owners so that they can reply to you direct. Thanks for your message and sorry you’ve had problems finding the place.
visited walled garden fortunately my daughter took me look for the sawmill sign on left heading toward Rosyth, and turn in there. follow lane to top and you will see sign for farm beautiful new cafe food great sit outside with dog and have tea lovely thank you
Thanks, Margaret, that’s helpful.
Hi was in for coffee this morning and left my cap on back of chair. Do you have it pls.
Is the walled garden still closed on mondays?
I cannot find a phone no.to book a table.
Hi Catriona, you could try messaging them at their facebook page, here is the link
We are a magazine that featured them – I think they may be closed at the moment for re-furbishment. thanks