Cider making at Glendoick

Oct 7 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ONE of the UK’s leading cider-making experts will produce a sample of his know-how in Perthshire this month.

Michael Pooley of the Shropshire Apple Trust is due to give his first talk in Scotland at Glendoick Garden Centre on October 18 and 19.

The visit will give budding home brewers some valuable advice.

Mr Pooley, who wrote the book “Real Cider Making on a Small Scale,” has been persuaded to bring his expertise to the Carse of Gowrie by Tayside Biodiversity Partnership.

The organisation’s co-ordinator Catherine Lloyd described the visit as “a coup.”

“Unusually for a training course all those taking part will take away with them a gallon of cider in the making,” she said yesterday.

“The one-day course will explore the traditional and modern approaches to cider-making, and Mr Pooley will give advice on the best apple varieties to use, as well as guidance on how to process apples for fermentation.

“Instructions will also be given on how to construct a wooden cider press with scale plans provided.”

The Glendoick event is part of the Carse of Gowrie Orchard Festival, which runs until October 26.

Places on the courses are limited. Anyone interested in taking part is asked to book by contacting Ms Lloyd on 01382 433042 or by going to www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk