TOWER OF SALT

Using a historical technique involving a structure called a graduation tower, Gregorie Marshall has brought salt production back to Ayrshire

- Gregorie Marshall

The striking structure standing on the Ayrshire waterfront looks like a giant art installation. But the timber A-frame, slotted with spiky bundles of blackthorn branches, has a practical purpose: to produce sea salt.

It’s the work of master salter Gregorie Marshall, founder of Blackthorn Salt, who was inspired by a visit to Germany and Poland to view ancient graduation towers once used to produce rock salt. Having previously trained as an architect, Gregorie drew up plans for a similar structure, but for sea salt instead.