Brand East Fortune
Jane Brand - Brand East Fortune
Jane BRAND

Brand East Fortune
GRAN & GRANDPA BRand

Jamie Brand - Brand East Fortune
jamie BRAND

Brand East Fortune
grandpa donaldson

Ritchie Brand - Brand East Fortune
ritchie & robert brand

Jane Brand - Brand East Fortune
Jane BRAND

GRANT Brand

Brand East Fortune
GRANNY & GRANDPA BRand

Jamie Brand - Brand East Fortune
jamie BRAND

Brand East Fortune
grandpa donaldson

Ritchie Brand - Brand East Fortune
ritchie & robert brand

ABOUT US

THE BRAND FAMILY HISTORY


Family is at the very heart of our business and we are fortunate to have 3 generations still living on the farm today, ensuring that vital knowledge and valued assistance continues down the generations to support our thriving business. The Brands have been at East Fortune Farm since 1931.

1931

The Brand Family relocate from Perthshire, firstly to Dunbar then to Beanston, Duddingston and latterly Beanston Mains before taking on East Fortune Farm in 1931. James Brand who’s son Richard (Ritchie) and daughter Margaret took on the tenancy from the Seven County Sanatorium Board, just as the depression hit.  Ritchie had given up working for building contractor Richard Bailey and Sons (his last project being Tyninghame Road Bridge) to join his father in tenanting East Fortune. At this time farm business centred around breeding cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry for sale at local markets in East Linton, Haddington and Dalkeith.  Arable work was all done by horses and was primarily to provide fodder for the animals.

1939

Just before the outbreak of World War II in 1939, James Brand died leaving Ritchie along with his brother Alexander (Eck) and casual labourers including ladies for field work from Prestonpans arranged by Mrs Cowan the ‘gang master’ working the farm.  It also saw the first tractor a Standard Fordson with iron wheels arrive at the farm.  East Fortune was a busy place during the war being an Operational Training unit for the RAF.

1962

Ritchie’s son Richard (Dick) was now working on the farm.  He was allowed to pursue his interest in developing a flock of sheep (much to his father’s distaste!) as well as assisting with all general farm duties.  Dick recalls working with the last 2 Clydesdales, Billy and Tony before mechanisation took over completely.

1969

Ritchie Brand’s sudden death, meant that young Dick was left to carry on the family business aged only 21. Much was to change over the next 20 years, with agricultural contracting, market gardening and stock rearing and wintering along with the growing of wheat and barley being at the core of the business. 

1994

Grant left school and began to pursue a career in agriculture gaining experience in the running of a large outdoor pig unit at Stonelaws. Little did he know this experience would prove valuable in the years to come!

2000

Grant formally joined the family business and also married Jane (nee Donaldson) later that year.  And so the team was formed!

2002

Grant and Jane successfully diversified the family business into the caravan tourism market by opening up East Fortune CL caravan park which then went onto win 3rd place in the UK CL of Year Awards in 2013 with a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in London.  The CL site has won subsequent years with Regional Commendation for Scotland for  2004, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2017.  Due to business growth our second park Station Park opened in 2010 a year after their first son Ritchie was born followed quickly by brother Robert in 2011.  

2010

Livestock back at East Fortune Farm

2016

Royal Highland Show Interbreed Champions

2018

Brand's Family Larder Opens

2021

The sudden, tragic loss of Grant in February was a catalyst for change at East Fortune Farm. Jane bravely decided to continue the farming calendar and to develop the business that she and Grant had worked on together for over 20 years. The business continues to be a huge part of the community and Jane's growing team all work hard to ensure the success of this dynamic family business.

What People Are Saying

" Absolutely brilliant work at the Highland Show team Brand. Congratulations to you all - your success is well deserved after all your hard work. Time to celebrate! "

Caroline