At Bonobono, we are delighted to share the inspiring story of the Mackenzie family, who have been dedicated to farming the lush, fertile soils of Easter Ross for over 150 years.
Nestled between the stunning coastlines of the Moray, Cromarty, and Dornoch firths, and the rugged mountains of the northwest Highland range, their commitment to the land and its bounty is as enduring as the landscape itself.
In 1921, Charles and Gilbert Mackenzie—affectionately known as Uncle Bert—purchased Cullisse Farm at Nigg, continuing a family legacy that began with their father, Alexander. Together, they cultivated oats, barley, potatoes, and turnips while building a prize-winning herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, renowned for names like Blackbird, Betty Black, and Gypsy Fairy.
Today, Kenneth and Gregor, sons of Charles and Isobel, continue the family tradition, farming Cullisse, Cadboll, and Old Shandwick. Kenneth (Snr) and his son Peter manage the day-to-day operations, focusing on the cultivation of winter and spring barley, wheat, oilseed rape, and potatoes, along with rearing a herd of Limousin/Angus cross suckler cows.
A pivotal moment came for Robert, Kenneth's son, during a visit to a Farm Africa charity project in Kitui, Kenya. Inspired by the simplicity of cold pressing sunflower seeds, Robert envisioned a similar process for the rapeseed grown on their family farm. Despite initial hesitations, the banking crisis presented an opportunity for Robert to follow his passion for farming and food, leading him to establish Cullisse as a recognised name in cold-pressed rapeseed oil.
For the Mackenzie family, farming is a labour of love, intertwined with the rhythms of nature and the unpredictability of the seasons. It demands skill, patience, and a deep-rooted passion for nurturing both plants and animals. Kenneth and Peter embrace this lifestyle, monitoring crops and caring for livestock daily, ensuring every step from planting to harvest is executed with dedication and care.
Robert’s passion for food, fostered by his mother Elizabeth's incredible cooking and baking, further enhances the family legacy. The farmhouse kitchen is often filled with the comforting aromas of home-cooked meals, showcasing locally sourced produce and cherished family recipes. From childhood memories of picking brambles with his mother to creating gourmet dishes using ingredients from their land, Robert’s culinary journey is deeply connected to his upbringing.
Driven by his passions for farming, food, and Africa, Robert returned to the family farm to add value to their produce through his cold-pressed oil business. This blend of commitment to the land and innovative thinking embodies the Mackenzie family's ethos and continues to inspire their work today.
At Bonobono, we celebrate the dedication and craftsmanship of the Mackenzie family, whose rich history and commitment to quality resonate deeply with our own values. Join us in savouring the fruits of their labour—delicious, sustainably produced cold-pressed rapeseed oil that elevates every meal.