Agriculture

Landward episode 7 2022: In this episode, Dougie visits the Abernethy National Nature Reserve to view a sea eagle nest. For the very first time, a hidden camera has captured a pair of sea eagles looking after their newly hatched chicks and is beaming it live to the RSPB’s Loch Garten Nature Centre.       Elsewhere, Arlene is in Perthshire to learn about the latest weapon in the battle to save Scotland’s native red squirrel population from invasive greys, while over on the isle of Lewis, Anne meets the woman who relocated to pursue her love of tweed. And […]

Landward episode 6 2022: In this episode, Dougie is on the Isle of Skye visiting the spectacular Fairy Pools, one of Scotland’s top tourist spots. He finds out how visitor numbers to locations such as this have risen dramatically over the last decade as a result of becoming social media ‘bucket list’ destinations. He also finds out what is being done to develop and protect the site, with new paths, bridges and a car park being built.       Meanwhile, Arlene catches up with Clydesdale foal Kahlua as training gets under way for the World Clydesdale Show, taking place

Landward episode 5 2022: This week, Dougie is at the beautiful Loch Dochart Estate in Highland Perthshire finding out how Blue Grey cattle are bred and why they are a popular choice for Scottish upland beef farmers.       As the cost of living continues to rise, Anne is at home on Lewis, hearing how islanders are finding it increasingly difficult to live in a remote rural community. JJ is in Glengarry looking at some of the damage caused by a growing escaped wild boar population, while Rosie Morton meets the man who has carved himself a career as

Landward episode 4 2022: In this episode, Dougie visits Culbin Forest in Moray for a special programme all about trees. He discovers why the pine forest was planted there a century ago on what was the biggest sand dune in the UK.     Anne is in Perthshire to meet the woman keeping an eye on the Fortingall Yew, perhaps Europe’s oldest tree, and discovers the story behind this piece of living history. Following this winter’s storms, Dougie assesses the damage to the forests in the worst-hit areas of north east Scotland. Meanwhile, JJ is in Ayrshire finding out how

Landward episode 3 2022: In this episode, Arlene visits Threave Estate, near Dumfries, to find out how hi-tech cattle are being used to restore a lost landscape. As the price of fertiliser skyrockets, Dougie finds out how it’s affecting Scottish farmers and what alternatives there are available.       Meanwhile, Cammy is letting his puppies loose for the first time to see if there is a top sheepdog amongst them. And Dougie is taking a walk around the heritage trail at the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, where he learns how the improvements to visitor facilities will allow greater

Landward episode 2 2022: Dougie is at Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, for a special episode all about Galloway. He finds out about a bid to make the area Scotland’s next national park and hears from those both for and against it.        Meanwhile, Arlene heads to the hills with the local mountain rescue team and discovers that they are not to be underestimated. Anne investigates the rising value of upland farm land and the impact it’s having on local people, and Cammy meets the mobile cattle hoof trimmer who has become a

This Farming Life episode 12: In Loch Ness, the countdown to Christmas begins. Donald and Joanna hit a few teething problems as they open their new farm shop in the middle of a winter storm. Later, with their reindeer event in full swing, they reflect on their year of change.       In Fife, brothers Mike and Pete work in stormy weather to bring the cows in for their first pregnancy scanning, which will reveal how successful their new joint venture has been. The whole family gets involved with a local Clydesdale horse show, in which young colt foal

This Farming Life episode 11: The first snowfall of winter arrives. In Orkney, Sean works with his dad Michael and uncle Martin in stormy weather to bring their cows in for shelter. Later, Sean reveals he’s one step closer to the dream of owning his own farm. In Stranraer, it’s launch day for the Love family’s new dairy business, but first Kayleigh has to get up to speed on the new vending machine. Afterwards, the whole family come together to celebrate dad Andy’s birthday and reflect on the year gone by.       In Loch Ness, it’s down to

This Farming Life episode 10: At Corrimony Farm in Loch Ness, pumpkin season finally arrives. The Girvan family put on the largest pick-a-pumpkin event the glen has ever seen, just in time for Halloween. Further down the glen, Donald and Joanna play catch-up after losing two weeks to Covid.       Meanwhile, at Bridge of Aird Dairy in Stranraer, calving season is in full flow. Kayleigh works alongside dad Andy to save a cow that has come down with milk fever, before completing her last shift in the milking parlour. And in Bute, Emma and Ewan put their new

This Farming Life episode 9: Summer turns to autumn in Bute, Emma and Ewan are in the market for new tups or rams to produce good prime lambs the following spring. When they arrive at Kelso, the biggest sheep market in Europe, one pen in particular catches that their eye belongs to none other than Mike from Collessie Farm in Fife. Prices are high, but they can’t afford to come away empty-handed. Later in Fife, Mike puts in a shift at the family’s feed business, delivering animal feed to customers all over Fife.       Meanwhile, in Orkney, Sean’s

This Farming Life episode 8: Autumn is on the way in Loch Ness, and at Corrimony Farm, David and Barbara are embracing a new piece of tech that involves fitting GPS collars to their herd of stabiliser cows so that they can roam the rough upland grazing high in the hills above their farm. Late summer is a busy time for Barbara and her sustainable cut flower business, and she hosts the first of many sunflower tea events in the barn.       Further down the glen, it’s all quiet on the Frasers’ farm. The whole family have come