The Scottish Deer Centre has teamed up with one of Fife’s most successful food businesses to bring ‘Bob’ to the park.
Bob is the Buffalo Farm’s smoker train, a fully functional mobile cooking machine.
Its addition will allow deer centre owners David Hamilton and Gavin Findlay to finalise their new smokehouse menu.
And they hope Bob will become an attraction, offering a photo opportunity for families as well as great food.
The smoker train is the latest addition to the Scottish Deer Centre as David and Gavin work to return it to its former glory.
The pair bought the attraction, near Cupar, last May months after it plunged into administration.
Both have young children who had previously enjoyed visiting the centre and wanted to invest it its future.
Award-winning products
As well as introducing Bob, David and Gavin are now stocking the Buffalo Farm’s produce in their newly fitted farm shop.
Gavin said: “The Buffalo Farm is just along the road from us and their award-winning products have become legendary across Scotland.
“We have said from the start that we wanted to add new things to the park so we feel the addition of an American-style smoker offers something different.
“It’s also a great photo opportunity for the kids.”
To celebrate Bob’s arrival the Scottish Deer Centre opened its doors for free on weekdays to give visitors the chance to taste the new food offerings.
“We are really excited about the new dishes we can come up with in the future for Bob,” said Gavin.
“Whether it’s seasonal or a visitor’s suggestion, we’re open to anything.
“So if you’re visiting and have an idea for a tasty new menu item, please let the staff know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.”
Buffalo Farm founder Steve Mitchell is also happy.
“I couldn’t think of a better location for Bob the smoker train than the Scottish Deer Centre,” he said.
Christmas market at the Scottish Deer Centre
The Scottish Deer Centre was closed for more than a year before David and Gavin bought it.
They agreed a sale for an undisclosed sum and the smoker train is just one of a host of ideas they have for the 55-acre park.
New species, including Highland cows, have been added and they are bringing in more for children to play on.
They’ve had a successful Halloween season with their first pumpkin patch.
And they’re now planning a German-style Christmas market and Santa’s grotto over the festive season.
The Scottish Deer Centre was previously owned by The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which collapsed last November.