A West Highland woman uses seaweed every day – and it is thoroughly enjoyed by her cows too.
Eva Tombs who lives on the island of Lismore swears by the marine algae not only for its health benefits but because it is tasty as well.
The 65 year-old puts it in soup, bread, salads and uses it as a snack.
“If you bake it, it’s much better for you than crisps.”
Her cattle like to munch on it too, but it has to be the right variety.
Mrs Tombs said: “There are lots of different varieties of seaweed – some are not very nice, but most are delicious.
“I am a homeopath and herbalist and have always been very interested in how nature provides.
“When I take some to my cows, they come running when they see the bag.”
Mrs Tombs, who was born in Holland has lived in Scotland for 45 years, and runs courses to show people how to forage for seaweed on the seashore.
“It has to be picked sustainably. Seaweed has different stages of growth and in the summertime it is not as prolific. Late winter is the best time to collect it. There are many different varieties and the type you can get depends on where you are. It also depends on the slope of the beach too.
“Lismore is relatively sheltered but I’d love to go up to the Outer Hebrides to see what’s there.”
