May 2022

Hello!  We hope this finds you well and enjoying some good weather.  Rain or shine, the Scene & Herd team are all outdoor enthusiasts and share their tips on making the most of your time out of doors:

Anna likes to pack a backpack with a picnic blanket (we love these recycled wool blankets), some local produce and a pair of binoculars.

‍Monty suggests combining a work phone call with a walk in the fresh air.  The Scene & Herd team are always happy to arrange walking meetings to discuss any aspect of marketing or PR for your rural business.

Sarah is a fan of Slow Ways, an initiative to create a national network of walking routes connecting all of Great Britain’s towns and cities as well as thousands of villages.

Kate recommends the Woodland Trust's website for some family nature activities.  She also suggests taking the opportunity to explain to youngsters why dogs need to be kept on a lead so they develop responsible access habits at an early age.

Anyone living in the countryside knows how unreliable postcodes are for giving directions! what3words has assigned each 3m square in the world a unique 3-word address that is recognised by the emergency services.  John recommends downloading the app before you need it!

Jan's top tip is to take some carrier bags and a pair of litter pickers with you to keep the countryside looking beautiful and safe for its inhabitants.  You can report any flytipping here.

Dave suggests listening to a podcast whilst out walking. We cover a diverse range of topics on our OnFARM (Food, Agriculture and Rural Matters) podcast.  The most recent episodes include:

• a chat with Gareth Baird, 2022 SAOS Ed Rainy Brown Memorial Award winner who was given the honour after a career of exceptional service to co-operation and collaboration in farming, food, and rural Scotland.
• our latest in a series of 'Days Out On Your Doorstep' episodes with Go Rural Scotland which encourages people in Scotland’s towns and cities to get out into the nearby countryside for farm experiences, short breaks, and food and drink days out.
• an episode produced in partnership with the Scottish Rural Hub which put together four members of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers and the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP for an interesting discussion about the issues concerning young farmers.

You can listen to all episodes, for free, at www.podfollow.com/OnFARM.

News

Rural people across Scotland and beyond are being urged to share stories of work done by local estates and land-based businesses to help their surrounding communities and landscapes flourish, as nominations for the Helping It Happen Awards 2022 get underway.  Nominations close on 5 July.  Read more ‍

‍Caledonian Marts charity auction, held simultaneously online and live at the Stirling mart last month, raised over £70k for Ukraine.

The team also said goodbye to Alastair “Ally” Logan who retired recently after 44 years having started with the livestock and specialist auction company as a 17-year-old trainee.  Read more here.

Connage Highland Dairy recently won several awards at the Melton Mowbray Cheese Awards: Goldfor their Connage Aged Gouda; Silver for their Connage Aged Gouda (Vegetarian), Silver for their Connage Gouda with Garlic and Nettle and Bronze for their Connage Crowdie.  If this has whetted your appetite for some award-winning Scottish organic cheese, then head over to their online shop.

The fully-funded Be Your Best Self course aims to support women living or working in the rural sector in Scotland to build their confidence, enhance their skills, and develop their leadership abilities as part of the Scottish Government’s vision to make Scottish agriculture a fairer, more inclusive industry. Apply at: www.beyourbestself.site

Love venison?  Joe and Josie Mallinson of The Venison Farm rear deer on their farm near Moffat to the very highest of standards and sell (extremely) delicious venison meat boxes online, delivered straight to your door.  www.thevenisonfarm.co.uk

Pub is the Hub funding alert!  Grants of up to £3,000 are available to enable rural pub owners, licensees, and local communities to work together to help support and sustain local services.  The funding can be used  https://www.pubisthehub.org.uk/community-services-fund/

For more than 25 years the Scottish Thistle Awards have been recognising and championing the very best of the Scottish tourism, hospitality, and events industry.  This year's entries close on 10th June so don't leave it too long to submit your application: https://visitscotland.eventsair.com/thistleawards2022

June dates for your diary:

1st
World Milk Day - visit the website for some resources and use #EnjoyDairy and #WorldMilkDay on social media.

ScotSheep* - https://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/nsa-scotland/scotsheep/

4th
Campsie Show* - https://www.facebook.com/CampsieAgriculturalShow/
West Fife Show* -  https://www.westfifeshow.com/
Newmilns Show* - https://www.newmilnsshow.co.uk/
Houston Show* -  https://www.facebook.com/houstonshow/

5th
World Environment Day - Sign up here to stay informed about the 50th #WorldEnvironmentDay celebrations and use #OnlyOneEarth on social media.

11th
Angus Show* -  https://www.facebook.com/Theangusshow/
Stirling Show* -  https://www.facebook.com/StirlingAgriculturalShow/

18th

Alyth Show* - https://www.facebook.com/AlythDistrictFarmersShow

21st
The Longest Day/Summer Solstice

23rd
Royal Highland Show* -  https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/

24th
Royal Highland Show* -  https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/

25th
Royal Highland Show* -  https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/

26th
Royal Highland Show* -  https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/

* Always check with organisers before travelling to an event.  

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