Village People: Sue Tait of Lothian Lavender

Introducing Sue Tait from Lothian Lavender, a lavender grower and essential oil distiller who crafts distinctive lavender gifts and skincare using her own homegrown lavender and essential oils.

What was the best holiday you've ever been on? 

Paris . The Eiffel Tower, the little cafes, the public gardens, the sunshine! It was a lovely break with my sister many years ago before we both got married.

 

Where’s your favourite coffee spot?

Any garden centre.... Smeaton Nurseries in East Linton have a lovely little greenhouse tea room that I adore as it is quiet, you can watch the birds at bird feeders on the windows and it has child friendly food. Afterwards we can browse the plants and let the kids have a walk around the walks on the estate.

 

How did you start doing what you now do? 

It all began 13 years ago making hand embroidered lavender bags from lavender grown in my back garden. They were so popular I planted a field of lavender to keep up with customer demand and it has literally grown from there.

 

What’s the best thing about your job?

Being outdoors. I love gardening and the outdoors. I love seeing the garden develop over time. Progress not perfection is the nature of gardening.

 

What’s your next project? 

We are adding a mixture of other plants to our garden to bring colour and nectar all year round to our valuable pollinators is our focus over the future.

 

What's your favourite way to spend a day off?

Family adventures with my husband and kids. A quiet beach walk is always a great way of relaxing in the fresh air followed by fish and chips or ice cream.

 

What are you most proud of in your business?

Our unique selling point is that we grow, harvest and distil the lavender essential oil here on our family farm in East Lothian. We use the oil we distil as one of the lovely ingredients in our unique skincare range of soaps, hand and foot creams and balms so it's a full circle - from plant to product!

Lothian Lavender Products