David Finlay
Farmer
Farms Rainton Farm and led the move to cow with calf dairying; the original cheddar carries the Finlay name.
The Ethical Dairy
4.7from 26 Google reviewsOrganic cow with calf dairy and cheesemakerCastle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway
The Ethical Dairy at Rainton Farm, Gatehouse of Fleet is the UK's first commercial cow with calf dairy, making organic raw milk farmhouse cheeses sold online and at the farm.
The Ethical Dairy is Rainton Farm at Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, the first commercial dairy in the UK to follow the cow with calf method.
Since 2016 the calves, including the males, have stayed with their mothers to suckle for five to six months, with the cows milked just once a day in that time. The farm has been organic for more than twenty years, and the change has cut antibiotic use by 90 percent, halved greenhouse gas emissions and increased farm biodiversity five fold, with cows living twice as long.
The milk becomes traditional farmhouse cheeses made on site, brought warm from the parlour to the cheese room. The range includes Carrick, a traditional cheddar, Rainton Tomme, Fleet Valley Blue and Barlocco Blue, made with raw milk and vegetarian rennet, sold online with subscriptions and delivery. Farmer led tours run most Tuesdays, with visits by prior arrangement, and the farm's story is told in the book A Dairy Story.
What they sell
- Raw milk cheese
- Organic farmhouse cheddar
- Blue cheese
- Alpine style tomme
- Cheese subscriptions
Plan your visit
- You can visit in person
- Delivers locally
Meet the farm team
From the community
4.7
From 26 Google reviews
28 December 2025
Just learned about your mission to keep mamas and babies together for longer. I wish that everything positive comes your way 🍀
9 October 2025
I have only "visited" this dairy farm virtually, because I live in California and the dairy is in Scotland. I hope to visit this beautiful farm one day when i have funds. I think food tastes much more delicious when animals and farmers are able to create a product that respects the farmer, the animals, and the planet. The Ethical Dairy is the future. 🩷🐄💜
31 October 2023
Love what you are doing to create happier cows and babies, and even better quality products. The dairy industry is generally not interested in the animals welfare, so it is lovely that people like you are here to show a better way. I hope you get the support of the community that you truly deserve. Thank you!
