Thrill Of The Hill

Managing Scotland’s landscapes sustainably is what all farmers, crofters and landowners seek to achieve. For years now there has been a steady increase in the number of land managers turning to organics, and regenerative practices are gathering momentum; at the same time the idea of farming holistically is also on the rise. we talk to beef and business consultant, Robert Ramsay and head of the Far...

In this episode of the Thrill of The Hill podcast, host Alex Pirie chats to Patrick Laurie from  Working For Waders . They discuss the decline of waders in Scotland, the practical steps that farmers can take to counter the biodiversity crisis as well as reflect on good practice, the trees versus waders debate amongst other topics. Find out more about how to manage farmland for waders on...

In the shadow of COP26 Scotland prepares to host the world as we agree common targets and policies to combat climate change, equally important is the biodiversity crisis. Alex Pirie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to  Nature Friendly Farming Network  coordinator, Phil Knott about how Scotland is addressing biodiversity decline, the need for a conservation calculator and the ef...

Scotland is host to the largest concentration of heather moorland in the world with huge biodiversity interest and carbon holding potential. Alex Pirie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to British Moorlands advisor, Dick Bartlett about the state of Scotland’s moorlands, with conversation ranging from hot topics like burning, as well as swiping and grazing for heather management, the carbo...

Farming as with all other industries has been set the challenge of operating more efficiently and sustainably in the face of climate change. To achieve a roadmap for the future Scottish Government and other special interest groups have been investigating and evaluating options to improve the green credentials of farming generally. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory...

Beef finishing has long been seen as an inherently intensive activity, however finishing beef cattle at grass can be a productive use of time, while contributing to good habitat management and a lower input, more sustainable system. This episode we speak to beef specialist Lesley Wylie (SAC Consulting) about the challenges faced by the beef sector and some of the practical steps that can be overco...

Calving is one of the busiest times of the year for those in the beef sector and a crucial time for things to go right! A successful calving has huge business and climate impacts as well as of health, welfare and farmer mindset. The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to returning contributor and beef specialist Robert Ramsay (SAC Consulting) about the sector’s state of play post Brexit, top tips fo...

While a Brexit trade deal has taken some pressure off the sheep sector the changing political and agricultural landscape means that it must adapt to the new challenges of climate change and biodiversity decline. In episode twelve of the  Thrill of the Hill  series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to sheep specialist Kirsten Williams (SAC Consulting) about flock resilience and what t...

Research and development within Scottish agriculture will be key to a successful green recovery, building an efficient and sustainable rural economy and mitigating against the threats posed by climate change. In this special bonus episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is fortunate to talk to Prof Davy McCracken, Head of the Hill & Mountain Research Centre abo...

The ability to improve your land is crucial at a time when productivity and efficiency are informing future policy and business resilience. The hills and uplands have a reputation for being difficult to improve, and declining agricultural activity means that these areas are reverting back to a less productive natural state. Liming and control of soil pH offers the opportunity to improve the condit...

Scotland’s land and topography presents challenges for upland farmers across the country, but in many ways, it is also a blessing in disguise. Peatland, while not conventionally productive, provides important habitat and ecosystem services for farmers and the wider general public, retaining water, capturing carbon and providing important niche habitat for national priority species. Sustainable man...

Deer farming in Scotland and across Britain is a growing sector with huge potential, whether it is wild deer on the uplands or lowland domesticated units. In the face of threats like climate change and biodiversity decline deer offers a resilient alternative to beef and sheep. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Dick Fairplay, John Fletcher and...

Common Grazings – and crofting counties more broadly – have a crucial and unique role to play in tackling the decline of biodiversity in Scotland. Because of the mosaic of small distinct habitats in close proximity, coupled with expansive rough grazings and heath, many crofts are microcosms of the habitats across Scotland. This in tandem with the typically more extensive, low input management syst...

Listen to field manager, Keri Langridge about the new  Saving Wildcats  project when she chats with agricultural and conservation consultant, Alex Pirie in the sixth episode of our Thrill of The Hill series. Functionally extinct in Scotland, the Scottish wildcat is an important species on several fronts, ecological, historical, and cultural. However, the species has seen decades of perse...

Alex is joined by Iain Boyd to discuss the potential of renewables in farms across Scotland. The potential our landscape and geography have for different types of renewable energy, and what conditions are currently conducive to their addition to your business. Renewables have an important part to play in the fight against climate change, allowing Scotland to transition from fossil fuels to greener...

In the fourth Thrill of The Hill episode, Alex is joined by SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald to discuss virtual fencing technology and it's potential applications in Scotland and across the world. The uptake of new and innovative technologies is an important factor when considering how to drive productivity in the hill environment. Virtual fencing is an up and coming technology that is gaining pop...

Woodland creation and management is only one of the many avenues Scotland is taking to tackle the climate emergency and woodland has a proven link to increasing carbon capture on the farm. Agroforestry allows farmers, crofters and landowners the chance to maintain agricultural output, with options for woodland grazing and intercropping, meaning productive activity can be promoted at the same time...

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Consultant Robert Ramsay from SAC Consulting's livestock team about the current state of the Beef Sector in Scotland, and how to create synergy between your farmed upland and your improved grassland. 

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Daniel Stout about Sheep Upland Grazing strategies and the broader Sheep industry in Scotland.