Kat Gilmour, Bowhouse Co-ordinator

There is always lots to organise and plan for at Bowhouse; I’m looking forward to a busy year ahead (including getting married!) My main job role is working with the Bowhouse team to co-ordinate events including the market weekends at our food and drink hub.

Alongside our bustling market weekends, we have also introduced a variety of workshops and classes that utilise our fantastic new classroom space in the courtyard. For example, this weekend there is an Easter-themed chocolatier class with Chocolatia, Willow Weaving and a Calligraphy Workshop.
I love the variety and challenge that different events bring to my work life. It’s also wonderful to see people enjoying Bowhouse to relax, learn a new craft and get creative. I also arrange hire of the classroom to local people looking for a space to meet, work and learn.

Another event I have been leading on are the estate Grass to Grill tours that will be taking place on various dates throughout this summer. This experience showcases our organic farm processes and produce in an interactive way. Guests take a tour of the farms by tractor-trailer ride to meet the livestock, learn about our regenerative farming practices and how our work aligns with nature. They are then returned to Bowhouse for a delicious, seasonal BBQ dinner with produce from the estate and businesses based on site, including the Butchery, East Neuk Market Garden and Baern Bakery.
These evening events have been a great addition to our 2024 line up and are the perfect opportunity to link the work of Balcaskie Estate together with Bowhouse and share this information with our customers.

Bowhouse’s social media is all run in house and I’m currently looking after our Facebook and Instagram. We have seen a steady increase in followers and interaction over the last few years. We use these platforms to advertise our markets and other events, share food and drink producer’s stories and connect with our local communities.

I am always looking at ways to learn and increase my knowledge to grow our social media potential. This week I am taking part in a marketing and photography workshop, which was funded by LANTRA through Women in Agriculture. A two-day course which covers in-depth phone photography skills and branding from rural marketing experts.

A voluntary position I hold is with Scottish Agritourism as the Destination Leader for the region of Fife. SA is a membership-based organisation that support and connect tourism businesses based on working farms, crofts and estates. We have a fantastic variety of agritourism businesses across the Kingdom, and I try to visit as many as possible. The role of a DL is to be a voice for your area, be on hand to discuss relevant issues and look at ways to assist each other and work collaboratively. I really enjoy being involved with SA alongside my Bowhouse Co-ordinator role, it’s an amazing network to be a part of with many inspiring stories and people.