And it all happened by pure chance. Artist turned crofter Christine Ralph discovered on the Internet that two of her hobbies could be combined – soap-making and keeping goats – and so a new farm diversification business was born, the 'Gamrie Goat'.

Her home-made soaps are conventional, except that where normal soap recipes use water, she substitutes goat's milk.

Christine explained: "At the croft in Gamrie, amongst other animals, I keep a small herd of goats.

"After experimenting with home-made soaps for quite a while, I decided to try making a mild, unscented soap using milk from my own goats as a base.

"I, like many others, find commercial soaps too harsh and drying for my own skin, and set about making one I could use every day. I designed it for myself.

"I came up with what I consider to be an excellent soap. There was such a good response from everyone who tried it that I decided to try it as a diversification project.

"It is unscented, uncoloured (being naturally white from the milk) and has no added chemicals. Among the ingredients are olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter.

"I now use this soap every day, even on my face, and have found it to be a lovely, non-irritating soap.

"I make each bar myself, moulding it into an attractive goat and kid shape.

"I'm hoping that it will prove attractive to tourists as an unusual and good quality souvenir of the area.

Christine Ralph with her invention: goat's milk soap.

"I designed my own packaging – having a degree in Fine Art I had no excuse not to! – and every box has a photo and profile of one of my goats."

We learn, for example, that Goldie the goat is interested in food and politics!; Myrrh is a domestic goddess with two kids; and Snowy is a trainee nanny. Sunny, a male, is a trainee billy, and, you will be relieved to hear, has not contributed to the soap in any way.

It has taken two years to perfect the recipe, and have the soap laboratory tested to modern cosmetic regulations.

"It passed with flying colours", said Christine.

"It was bound to; there are no dodgy chemicals in it. It is made with good oils and butters; this soap is definitely made to be used."

Christine came north to Christmas Croft three years ago with her two children and husband Paul, who teaches art at Banff Academy.

Christine is also a former art teacher at a London college, and still teaches art to adults at Banff Castle.

'The Gamrie Goat' soap is currently available at the Duff House shop, Meadowlands in Banff, and the White Lodge Garden Centre, and it will be on sale for the first time at this month's Banff and Macduff Farmers' Market.

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