We are Steve and Sarah Burchell, first generation farmers who decided to become sheep farmers because of our love of the wild open landscapes of northern Britain and our desire to work with the livestock that helped create these landscapes.

We have been farming near Moffat in the Southern Uplands, South West Scotland for over 30 years. Before that we farmed in Northumberland by the Roman Wall

Meikleholmside Farm lies on the slopes of the Annan Water valley near Moffat.

The farm looks onto Hartfell - the highest hill in Dumfriesshire where Merlin was said to have spent 10 years in hiding. Below Merlin's cave the Hartfell Spa was discovered in 1748, attracting visitors in search of health giving waters which was believed to have curative properties for “debility and anaemia”. The water was bottled and sent as far abroad as the West Indies.

The famous Devil’s Beef Tub, one of the most iconic landmarks in southern Scotland lies at the end of the valley. It is a magnificent cavernous hollow where the notorious Border Reivers once hid stolen cattle and has many connections with William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and other famous historical figures.

All our sheep graze on permanent pastures on open hill land and upland meadows. Our emphasis throughout is on allowing the sheep to mature at their own pace and ensuring that the sheep live as stress-free life as possible. Feeding on a variety of grasses and herbage, clover meadows and herb-rich uplands allows them time to mature at a gentle pace.

We use a small local abattoir which is minimising stress, again ensuring that nothing compromises the quality of the meat.

The result is a sweet and flavoursome meat-always tender. Our customers often comment that they can taste the herbs and hill grasses in it!

We are proud to be producing the most deliciously succulent hogget and mutton from our home-bred grass-fed sheep. Lamb becomes hogget once it is a year old and mutton after it is two years old.

Everything we produce is sold directly to the public and local chefs , either through Farmers' Markets or by mail order.

We sell a wide range of carefully butchered cuts, suitable for all recipes and occasions, including mince, diced, chops French trimmed racks, cannons and roasting joints.

Our incredibly popular traditional mutton pies are made using our own meat. We sell them hot or cold at Farmers Markets, or by mail order, see price list.