Our History

Alexander Benzie originally came from a farm called Kirkton of Fraserburgh.

In 1950 they moved from Fraserburgh to farm at Gairnieston, which he purchased for £17000. This was a lot of money at the time and a farm workers wage was around £2 a week.

The firm of Alexander Benzie and Sons of Gairnieston was set up and this was then taken over by his son Sandy Benzie. The farm at that time was a mixed arable and stock farm growing cereals, potatoes and housing pigs. Sandy Benzie had two sons in the business, Ewan and Zander. When the business split up Ewan and his son Philip took over the running of Gairnieston and formed the firm of “Ewan Benzie and Son”. The firm started off with shares in farming co-operatives growing vegetables, but now the firm grows its own produce for its own markets

There has now been four generations of Benzies at Gairnieston. Philip Benzie left school in 1985 to come home and work on the farm. He is now the current owner and managing director, and focuses entirely on the extensive arable operation.

Philip always remembers his granny telling him how at Fraserburgh they grew carrots and potatoes so they have also been grown through the four generations of Benzies.