We Are Mara

A meeting of minds

Fiona Houston and Xa Milne had a meeting of minds in their children's school playground. They got chatting about foraging and Scotland's forgotten foods.

Wild food experts

Fiona and Xa went out discovering Scotland's natural larder, identifying, tasting and cooking from the wild. They shared their finds in a column and a book, Seaweed and Eat It.

“Why don’t you eat all that seaweed?”

Then a friend asked an interesting question. Fiona and Xa set out to answer it, becoming experts in Scotland's native seaweeds, their flavours and how to cook with them.

Mara means 'The Sea' in Gaelic

By 2011 it was time to share Fiona and Xa's passion for all things seaweed with a wider audience. They began building a brand of seaweed seasonings. Mara was born.

'Mara Man' joins as seaweed manager

Ensuring the premium quality of our seaweeds is a key part of Mara's brand. In 2013, Rory MacPhee, a.k.a. 'Mara Man', joined us from Cornwall to lead our seaweed sourcing.

The story conitnues

From Harrods to Marks & Spencer, home chefs to Michelin-starred kitchens, Mara keeps gaining popularity. In 2016, we were thrilled to launch in America.

We Are Mara

When Mara started, there were two… Now the wave has picked up momentum and an array of characters with varied talent have been sucked into the seaweed vortex! We plan to keep on growing as the wave gets bigger. Interested? Get In Touch.

Fiona Houston

Co-Founder & SeaEO. Passionate seaweed expert, she still loves to get her feet wet harvesting - when not running the business, of course.

Xa Milne

Co-Founder, Brand Director, taste "czar." Xa's favourite line is “it’s not a matter of if but when you start eating it!” Look out for her new book of seaweed recipes.

Rory MacPhee

Ah, Mara Man. Seaweed Harvest Manager, former-marine lawyer, boat builder and self described "seaweed–nut."

Niall Wright

Production Manager, former engineer, professional grouch & winner of Bob Dylan lookalike contest 1977. (Pictures available upon request.)

Roddy Wilde

Commercial Director by day and rocker by night! In charge of sales both near and afar, Mr Wilde lives up to his surname.

Jack Cywinski

Despatch manager and organiser extraordinare. There's more to this foxy DJ than meets the eye.

Inga Mikneviciute

Technical and production supervisor. Nothing gets past this little Lithuanian lady! One looks is all it takes.

Val Stones

Don't mess with Val. She pays the bills.

Amy Brewer

Social media and marketing manager Amy has a way with words. But by night she wields her drumsticks with The Alibis.

Robin Worsnop

Our Chairman is also the Founder and Chief Exec of Rabbies Tours. His eco-vision meshes with ours. Married to Martha, they disappear frequently to their Spanish finca.

Hoolie

Mara Mascot. She's had more photos taken of her than Kate Moss. Even Paul Hollywood posted her picture on Instagram!

Jim Fallon

Non-Executive Director. Jim brings hefty financial acumen to the Mara board. Jim started his career as an electrical engineer with ICI, before moving into banking and corporate finance with HSBC before setting up his own corporate finance business in 2002. Since 1994 Jim has worked almost exclusively within the consumer sector as a lender, adviser, owner, investor, director, operator and business consultant.

Pawel Orzechowski

Computer wiz, web master and "employee zero" - Pawel was one of the first people on board the Mara ship!

Kirsty Craig

Want it done? Kirsty is on it. She can get through admin at lightning speed! (Also has a penchant for late morning cereal.)