ABOUT
“Founded in 2016 at the foot of the Pentland Hills, The Free Company is a regenerative farm, restaurant, and community hub just outside Edinburgh. What began as a group of friends reviving forgotten rural skills has grown into a working model of how food, farming, and hospitality can thrive together — building resilience for land, people, and community.”
Farming with nature
Everything starts on the farm. We raise native breeds of cattle, sheep, and pigs, and grow fruit and vegetables in our no-dig market garden. As a Soil Association certified organic farm, guided by regenerative methods, our focus is on building soil health, boosting biodiversity, and giving back more than we take. From composting spent coffee to using our livestock to cycle nutrients through the land, every choice is about closing loops and working with nature.
From field to table
Our restaurant is shaped by the seasons and sustained by the farm. The menu changes daily, depending on what’s thriving in the fields and ready in the kitchen — from simple bar snacks to a long feasting table. We champion low-intervention wines, craft beers, and house-made ferments that share the same ethos as our food. Whether joining us for a laid-back meal, a special celebration, or one of our Feasting Sessions, guests are part of the farm’s story.
Beyond the TABLE
We run an online farm shop supplying meat, vegetables, and larder goods direct from the farm. The butchery on site lets us process everything ourselves, ensuring nothing goes to waste and full traceability from field to fork. Alongside the shop and restaurant, we host events, run workshops, and collaborate with makers and growers who share our belief in regenerative living.
Rooted in history, looking forward
Farming here stretches back over 600 years. Once home to a pedigree Ayrshire dairy herd, the land faced uncertainty until The Free Company took on the lease in 2016, with the aim of building a more resilient future. Today, brothers Angus and Charlie, supported by a brilliant young team, continue to experiment, learn, and grow — proving that hospitality and farming can work hand in hand.
In 2025, The Free Company was proud to receive the Sustainability Award at the National Restaurant Awards and to be named among the Good Food Guide’s Top 100 Restaurants — recognising both our commitment to genuine regenerative hospitality and the dining experience it makes possible.