countrylife

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

This Farming Life episode 7: It’s late summer in Bute, and Emma and Ewan preparing for the Bute Agricultural Show, the highlight of the island’s agricultural calendar. Later, after a health scare with top sheepdog Joffe, Emma and Ewan compete at the Scottish National Sheepdog Trials in Thurso. Meanwhile, in Stranraer, Kayleigh pushes ahead with plans for the new dairy business. After weeks without rain, the grazing fields are stripped dry, and the family are forced to dip into their winter silage to feed the herd.       In Fife, Mike makes a snap decision to travel to Northern

This Farming Life episode 6: Emma and Ewan earn their first pay cheque for the new farm, while Joanna and Donald press ahead with plans for their farm shop and Sean returns home to the family farm.       Documentary series following the struggles and triumphs of very different farming families in beautiful and remote landscapes. Filmed across a year, this series follows six families in remote and stunning Scotland. It’s early spring as the farmers gear up for lambing, their busiest weeks of the year. In Northumberland, Emma and Ewan are rounding up their cattle and sheep as