News from the field

Image courtesy of ORganic Rapeseed oil

Rural Britain is a wonderful assortment of farms, estates, hamlets, villages, forests and moors, lochs and valleys. Our stunning scenery, close communities and wonderful rural businesses provide an idyllic lifestyle for many, but rural life can also throw up some pretty unique challenges.

The Rural Scene (the Scene & Herd rural blog and news updates) looks at what’s new, what’s relevant, what’s tasty, what’s fun and what’s challenging about life in the Great British Countryside. We offer an insider insight into rural Britain, highlighting some of the exceptional people, businesses and innovations we believe that everybody should know about.

5 things you might not know…

Strawberries aren’t berries. Neither are raspberries and blackberries, according to botanists. True berries stem from one single-ovary flower and have two or more seeds. Strawberries don’t fit that bill, but bananas, kiwis, and watermelons do. Can any soft fruit producer confirm this? Or maybe tell me that I’m wrong?

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OnFARM Podcast: Ringside at Fife Show with the Gillespie Macandrew team

We are alongside the main arena at Fife Show, courtesy of OnFARM partners and sponsors Gillespie Macandrew. Guest co-presenters are Carol McQuillan and Sam Connington from GM's Land and Rural Business Team.

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OnFARM Podcast: Heather thatching at Braemar Castle - with Bell Ingram

A follow-up to our episode on the restoration of Braemar Castle in Royal Deeside. We are with Bell Ingram team volunteers, senior architect Iain Cram, and expert Scottish thatcher Brian Wilson, as they gather sheaves of heather to redo the roof of a folly - or 'fog house' - in the castle grounds.

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Eight small things that could make a BIG difference in your life…

A good friend of mine declared that a utensil was “literally going to change my life” which caused great hilarity. It got me thinking about the small things in life that can really deliver big results! So I made a list…

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May 2023

Despite the dreich weather, summer is most definitely on the way! The blossom that was so prevalent last month is being replaced by bluebells and the emergence of buff-tailed bumblebees. Are you taking part in No Mow May? Perhaps you've been enjoying some seasonal fare such as asparagus, purple sprouting broccoli or leeks?

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