Changing state of rural Scotland put in sharp focus

After 20 years as a soldier, author Jamie Blackett arrives home in Dumfries and Galloway ready to settle into rural life with his young family. However, he finds the countryside he grew up in is very much changed and must now learn to adapt to the new order. Blackett reflects back to his childhood, offering…

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Keep your dog under control in lambing season

Dog walkers are being urged to keep their pets on a lead if they are near sheep in the coming weeks. Having respect for farming and crofting enterprises by acting responsibly with dogs this spring is a must. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is very clear when it comes to the responsibilities that dog owners…

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Scotland Tractor World Show makes a return

Banish the winter blues by ploughing a furrow to a fantastic family weekend later this month. Back by popular demand, the Scotland Tractor and Classic Commercial Show is returning over the weekend of 23 and 24 March, at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, and will be even bigger and better. Show organisers are building on…

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Two move on up to senior posts with Savills

Real estate company Savills has made two new senior appointments at the top of its Scottish business. Cameron Ewer has been promoted from head of Glasgow residential to lead the Scottish residential division and Hugo Struthers has moved up from head of rural professional services to lead Savills’ Scottish Rural, Energy and Projects (REP). Nick…

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New baked Scottish snack is hitting shop shelves

A new range of air-popped whole vegetable chips is hitting our shops, after being created by a family of Perthshire farmers. The new Wholesums range, launched this month, has been developed by the Taylor family who are behind Mackie’s at Taypack in Perthshire, Scotland. Wholesums’ point of difference from other popped snacks is that they…

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The search is on in the Scottish ‘tree oscars’

Two prizes of £1000 are on offer for the finest farm woodlands in Scotland in the country’s annual ‘Tree Oscars’. The growing interest in farm woodland has been reflected in Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards (SFWA) 2019, with an additional prize on offer to younger farmers (or crofters) who have incorporated tree planting into their business.…

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Scottish Game Fair will return in July with new sponsor

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair has started the new year in style by announcing an exciting new partnership with NFU Mutual. The leading rural insurer has signed a three-year deal to become headline sponsor of Scotland’s largest Game Fair, which is held in the stunning Scone Palace Parklands in Perthshire and will take place this…

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Farmland may keep its value despite Brexit fears

Farmland prices may well continue to hold firm this year, despite predictions of a sudden drop in prices due to Brexit uncertainty. That’s the view of leading Scottish rural land agency Galbraith. Ian Hope, a partner with Galbraith, believes that the price of good quality farmland will be maintained, certainly throughout 2019 and that any…

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First Scottish rye whisky in a century is launched

Arbikie Highland Estate launched its ‘Highland Rye’ single grain Scotch whisky, the first rye whisky distilled in Scotland for over 100 years. It was laid down in 2015 and uses a combination of Arantes Rye, Odyssey Malted Barley and Viscount Wheat. The whisky, which is owned and distilled by the Stirling brothers in Lunan Bay…

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Celebrating the wonderful woods of Scotland

The search is on to find Scotland’s best and most inspiring woods. A prize to celebrate 100 years since the 1919 Forestry Act is the highlight of the annual competition is being offered. Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2019 will present the one-off 1919 Forestry Act Centenary Award in a year offering more prizes than ever…

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