The Homestead Café & Farm Shop

16/06/2026

Today's lesson from The Hirsel:

You can be a world-famous, award-winning actor recognised by millions...
..but to our resident robin, you're still just another person sitting too close to his territory.

The cheeky, territorial menace demonstrated this beautifully today by depositing a small but memorable gift into a VIP lunch guest's water glass.

We're keeping the guest's identity private, but suffice to say he's won many more awards than the robin.

The robin remains unimpressed. Nature doesn't care. We, on the other hand, are mortified!

We only borrow this space from nature. Sorry Mr Robin.

16/06/2026

How are we supposed to be cross with this?

Last night's garden patrol revealed a very serious problem... 🐰

A ridiculously cute baby rabbit has taken up residence amongst the peas, chard, onions and radishes.

As gardeners, we're horrified. As humans, we're completely smitten.

While we're busy sowing, weeding and watering, it appears our newest visitor has been conducting taste tests on the vegetable patch and inspecting our work. Quality control, apparently.

The peas are concerned. The chard is nervous. The onions are keeping a brave face.

We'll be keeping a close eye on our tiny guest and hoping it decides there are tastier snacks elsewhere on the estate!

Has anyone else ever had a garden pest that was far too cute to be annoyed with? 🥕🐰🌱

30/05/2026

We love the collaboration between so many organisations that makes it possible for these high school pupils to visit The Hirsel in May and October every year. Cracking weather for it too!

19/05/2026

THINGS WE DON’T CARE ABOUT AT THE HOMESTEAD ☕️

We don’t care if:
• you’re wearing muddy boots, gym gear or yesterday’s hoodie
• you’ve just done a 10k run… or just driven here for cake
• your dog has covered your trousers in hair
• you need to offload about your partner for 15 minutes
• your toddler is having “one of those days”
• you’re celebrating buying a house
• you’re stressed about selling a house
• you’ve come for lunch but accidentally also need a scone, traybake AND an extra rocky road
• you sit quietly on your own
• you stay for hours chatting with friends
• you arrive flustered, tired, overwhelmed or needing fed

What we DO care about is that you feel welcome when you walk through the door.

Life is busy, messy, exciting, exhausting and sometimes a bit chaotic — and honestly, we think cafés should be places where people can just be human.

Photo of our flustered situation mid function on Sunday for context 🤣

So come as you are.
The coffee machine is on 10-4 in the cafe, 10-5 in the shop. Every day. 🤎

Post inspired by Thirty-five Jedburgh Thirty Five

15/05/2026

Have you been for a wander in Dundock yet?

15/05/2026

Running a busy café and farm shop takes a huge amount of hard work, kindness and teamwork every single day, and I just wanted to take a moment to say how incredibly grateful I am for the team here at The Homestead Café and Farm Shop.

Hospitality can be fast-paced, demanding and emotionally draining at times, but our team continue to show warmth, professionalism and care to our customers day in, day out. I see the effort they put in behind the scenes, often under pressure, and I could not be prouder of them.

As an employer, the welfare and wellbeing of my team will always be a priority. Creating a supportive, respectful and safe working environment matters enormously to me, and I will always stand behind the people who help make The Homestead what it is.

To my wonderful team — thank you for everything you do. It never goes unnoticed 🤍

10/05/2026

08/05/2026

🚨 New arrivals at The Hirsel! 🐣🖤🤍

After weeks of careful guarding, our Fireburnmill resident oystercatchers now have three beautiful new chicks safely hatched and exploring the yard.

Sandy, Graham and John have become fiercely protective honorary grandparents over the last few weeks, personally warning every grain lorry driver to keep well away from the "nest" while grain was being collected. Between the three of them, the chicks have had a full-time security team on duty! 😄

We’re delighted to see all three chicks doing well, with two very proud and very noisy parents keeping watch nearby.

Keep an eye out for little families of oystercatchers at this time of year — but please give them plenty of space while they settle in. They mate for life, are possibly the worst nest builders of all birds and they are great to watch! 🖤🤍❤️