In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Autumn & Winter last year, where Kieron Sim visited both the Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles, to speak with four local crofters about their enterprises, the challenges and benefits of Island Living, and how Seasonality uniquely impacts their businesses throughout Autumn and Winter.

On the Isle of Skye, Kieron visits Crofter Phil Knott to talk about his Orchards, and how agroforestry has brought not only biodiversity benefits but also economic benefits to his croft, Kieron also speaks to Aiofe Gould & Jake Sayles about their Croft in Skye, where they finish their own Pork, Hebridean Mutton, use their wool for felt accessories, and utilise seasonal fruit and berries.

Kieron then visits the Shetland Isles in Winter, first speaking with Brendon Smith a Crofter from the Southern part of Shetland who breeds, trains and sells sheepdogs, runs a system of Shetland Sheep, produces Mussels and also ensures every sheep that comes to Shetland is run through the community dip. Finally Kieron heads to the Northernmost Isle of Unst in Shetland, to speak with Richard Spence who has Crofted in Unst for his whole life and tells us how the new Saxavord Space Port has changed how he Crofts.

Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter. You can find part 1 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Spring & Summer right now. wherever you normally listen.

This episode was hosted by Kerry Hammond and was produced and edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government.

FAS Resources

Crofting Matters - Crofting Through the Seasons: Spring/Summer | FAS

https://www.fas.scot/podcast/crofting-matters-crofting-through-the-seasons-spring-summer/

Other Resources

SaxaVord - The Place for Space

https://saxavord.com/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials are a significant part of the identity of crofting over the last century. Also in this episode, Ross joins a group of 30 Crofters who travelled to Wicklow, (south of Dublin) in Ireland last Spring, on the second trip of a Scottish Farm Advisory Service Learning Journey, funded by the Scottish Government, which supported 55 Scottish Crofters (over two trips) to learn about Irish systems, and how Irish farmers make a living from small units.

Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting Through the Seasons, Spring & Summer. You can find part 2 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter right now. wherever you normally listen.

This episode was hosted and produced by Kerry Hammond and was edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government.

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss all things Farm Insurance with NFU Mutual’s Douglas Schreiber.

Time Stamps

03:56 Deadlines and Grant updates

07:35 Introduction to Douglas Schreiber

08:25 Starting point for insurance renewal discussions

09:51 Things farmers should think about ahead of renewal?

12:19 The impact of staff qualifications on premiums?

14:50 What are the factors which really impact the price of a policy?

18:23 Anything people can do to reasonably do to reduce premiums related to storm damage?

21:56 How important is it to get your farm valued?

24:14 Cyber Security on insurance policies

26:31 Trackers and dashcams

30:32 What to do in the event of an accident on the road?

31:37 Areas of policies which often get overlooked?

FAS Resources

FAS Events

https://www.fas.scot/events/

Agritourism Investment Scheme

https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agritourism-investment-scheme--ais-/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss the upcoming FAS Women in Agriculture Conference, which takes place on the 11th February. They are also joined by Siobhan Macdonald to discuss the agenda for the upcoming FAS Conference, which takes place on the 19th February.

Time Stamps:

05:45 NVZ reminder

12:54 PSF reminder

15:25 AECS reminder

16:03 Inheritance tax update

19:12 Women In Agriculture conference

24:52 FAS Conference

FAS Resources

FAS Events

https://www.fas.scot/events/

NVZ Rules Refresher

https://www.fas.scot/publication/nvz-rules-refresher/

NFUS: Summary of IHT changes (23rd Dec 2025) https://www.nfus.org.uk/policy/campaigns/inheritance-tax-iht.aspx#:~:text=After%2014%20months%20of%20relentless,and%20business%20property%20per%20individual.

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston sits down one on one with James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems. In the previous five episodes we heard from Farmers from five different beef and dairy farms in South West Scotland about their “Unsung Heroes”. Technology, Data, Biodiversity, Machinery and Efficiency. These Farmers and their Farms evidence that livestock farming in Scotland, has been constantly evolving, improving their practices not only for better profitability, better resilience, better output and better lives, but by doing these things, and making changes big or small, they are reducing their impact on the planet day, by day.  

James is going to tell us more about some of his other “Unsung Heroes” not just for Beef & Dairy Farms, but applicable to any agricultural system, and also give us his view on Agriculture’s current position in the climate change conversation.  

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!   

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.  

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

Farming for a Better Climate | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  In this episode Calum Johnston visits Alex Marshall and Heather Dyet at Haggs Farm where 3 generations of the family are currently farming, including Heather’s grandmother, Mother Janice, brother Alex, and her father Alex, who also joins us on this episode. They tell us about their recent upgrade to a slurry separator. Through speaking to both Heather and dad Alex it was clear that on their family dairy farm, their unsung hero is machinery.  Their slurry separator has improved farm efficiencies, grass and soil health, so much so they call it “liquid gold”. One of the efficiencies is applying two thirds less fertiliser which has a massive carbon footprint reduction.    

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems, will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!  

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!   

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.  

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. 

Related FAS Resources

Applicability of Slurry Separation and Acidification | Farm Scotland

Milk Manager News July 2022 – Why Invest in a Slurry Separator? | Helping farmers in Scotland

Slurry Lagoon Storage and Construction | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  In this episode Calum Johnston visits Douglas Frame at Birks Farm where they discussed Calving at two. Through speaking to Douglas it was clear that on his family beef farm, their unsung hero is efficiency and despite climate change not being his primary driver, Douglas talks about the reduction he’s seen in his carbon audits.  

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!  

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!   

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.  

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.  

Related FAS Resources

Calving Heifers Vlog Series | Helping farmers in Scotland

Calving Heifers at 2 Case Study | Helping farmers in Scotland

Optimising Livestock Productivity | Helping farmers in Scotland

A Guide to Calving Heifers | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

For more information, visit   

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  On this episode Calum Johnston visits Glen Neilson at Park Farm Dairy where they discussed introduction of Solar PV. Through speaking to Glen it was clear to me that on his family’s dairy farm, their unsung hero is technology – whilst introducing solar PV was a substantial upfront investment, the ability to run the dairy, the bottling plant, and in future make a good financial return by selling into the grid- from a shed roof that otherwise wasn’t doing anything, is a benefit to the farm, the business, and the environment.  

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems tells us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!  

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!   

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.  

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. 

Related FAS Resources

Technical Note (TN682): Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Renewables FAQ's | Helping farmers in Scotland

Farm Scale Renewables Energy Guide

Improving Energy Efficiency on the Dairy Farm | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Robotics: An Insiders Guide to Starting out with AMS Webinar

For more information, visit   

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  In this episode Calum Johnston visits James Strang at Temples Farm where they discussed Genomics. Through speaking to James Strang, it was clear that on his dairy farm, their unsung hero is data. Data is allowing them to input into their mating programme – selecting best performing cattle for the job from the best part of the herd.  

Later in the episode, James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems, will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!  

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!   

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.  

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. 

Related FAS Resources  

Stock Talk: Dairy Genomics | FAS

Dairy Herd Management | Helping farmers in Scotland

MMN January 2025 - Should You be Using Genomic Testing? | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit   

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  In this episode Calum Johnston visits Heather Close at Littleton farm where they discussed outwintering and rotational grazing. Through speaking to Heather, it was clear that on her beef farm, their unsung hero is biodiversity – many farmers would be aghast at the thought of weeds on their farm, but thistles and nettles are the unsung heroes for Littleton Farm.  

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems will tell us more about this Unsung Hero of biodiversity, the benefits, things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm, croft, and on the planet!  

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!   

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.  

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.  

Related FAS Resources  

Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland

Biodiversity On Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland

Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

For more information, visit  www.fas.scot

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]