FROM a photoshoot with a Line of Duty star to highlights with the 'Brad Pitt of Korea', a Canadian's creativity is now turning to ice cream in the heart of Dunfermline.

Heather Snowie's talents as a professional make-up artist are still in demand, she recently worked with Kelly McDonald ahead of her star turn on the hit BBC show, but now she's got a taste for something completely different.

With work opportunities drying up due to Covid, she started an artisan business – Fancy A Scoop? – making ice cream and started selling it in the town centre in late February.

Heather, originally from Toronto, but now stays in Central Fife, explained: "It was partly out of necessity, financially and for something to do through not being able to work.

"This last year has been really hard mentally and emotionally, as it has been for many people, and I wondered what I could do that would allow me to go back to make up when this is done.

"I love ice cream. My very first job, when I was 13, was working in a Baskin-Robbins and I loved it.

"They used to give us two free scoops every shift – probably to stop us stealing it! – as it was important for us to know what it tasted like.

"I never expected to be making it myself."

The ice cream is sold from within the premises of the Caledonian Craft Beer Merchant shop in Maygate, run by her husband Colin Gardner.

It's small batch, handmade and she indulges her creative side, and sweet tooth, by coming up with a variety of combinations.

Heather said: "I really enjoy making ice cream and coming up with different flavours, the possibilities are endless.

"Mint chocolate chip and honeycomb I've done a few times, and raspberry ripple has been very popular too, but I've been getting a good reaction to so many that it's a struggle to work out which ones to re-do.

"I don't eat a lot of it, less than I anticipated anyway, and with the business on a smaller scale I can do one batch of six tubs and see how it goes.

"We did try a beer one, it was quite boozy and very nice.

"I used Tempest Mexicake, which has quite a high ABV, from Colin's shop.

"Before we met he didn't have a sweet tooth but gradually I've brought him round to the dark (chocolate?) side!"

Heather uses as few ingredients as possible, no chemicals and local produce – such as tea from the Wee Tea Company in Dunfermline, raspberries from Blacketyside Farm near Leven and coffee from Unorthodox Roasters in Kinross – where she can.

Fillings, such as salted caramel and chocolate chip cookies, are also handmade while she's created a batch of vegan ice cream for their friends at Little Shop of Heroes, a few doors down, to sample.

She added: "Hope Hairdressing and Abbot House have been incredible too. I was giving them ice cream to try during the winter and Hope Hairdressing put a lovely story on their Instagram, I got 150 more followers overnight!"

Reputation has spread largely through word of mouth and social media, 90 tubs are produced every fortnight and typically sell out in days – once the secret is out!

"I did ask if people wanted to know but only one person said yes, everyone else likes the surprise, so I only reveal what the flavours are on Facebook at 7pm on the Thursday night."

She's enjoyed her ice cream story so much she's hoping to expand and open new premises, and combine it with her career.

As a professional make-up artist for 20 years, in Canada her work took her to TV stations, glitzy fashion shows, movie sets and the Toronto International Film Festival.

"The film festival was amazing, so stressful but exciting, dashing from venue to venue, hotel room to hotel room, wondering who the next person you're going to be working with, there was a lot of international talent, producers and directors too.

"One guy I worked with was a Korean actor, his publisher said he was the Brad Pitt of Korea!

"I didn't have a clue who he was but apparently the airport was completely swamped on his arrival.

"When I came here I focused on weddings to start with, that's been successful, but I also do editorial and commercial.

"I've been working hard to get my name out and love what I do.

"Earlier this year I did make up for Kelly McDonald for a shoot with the Guardian, while she was promoting Line of Duty.

"She was great, exactly as you would want her to be, a good laugh and very nice."

Find out more about Fancy a Scoop? on Facebook and Instagram.