Women In Wellies Podcast

Episode 65 : Rebecca MacTaggart - Calves to Confidence Rebecca McTaggart certainly has her hand in many pies. From farming and feed sales to ski seasons, holiday cottages and the Scottish Women in Dairy network this episode is packed with energy, humour and plenty of stories along the way. Growing up on a dairy farm in Dumfries and Galloway, Rebecca shares her passion for farming and the route tha...

Episode 64 : Debbie MacKay - Ireland to Influence Debbie Mackay brings warmth, humour and an incredible depth of experience to this conversation as she reflects on a life shaped by rural Ireland, planning and a passion for the countryside. Growing up in rural South Armagh during the Troubles, Debbie shares memories of a free range childhood lived between rivers, fields and the family farm just acr...

Episode 63 : Sue Emery - Marketing, Motherhood and Momentum Sue Emery brings honesty, energy and a deep understanding of rural life to this conversation, sharing a journey that spans equine therap,y business ownership and now supporting rural women through marketing and community. Growing up on the Isle of Skye before the bridge, Sue reflects on a childhood shaped by freedom, family businesse...

Nic MacLeod is building a life that blends farming, family and a fast paced career in policy and this conversation is an honest and energising look at what it means to take the long way round and make it your own. By no means a traditional career path but with a deep love for rural life, we follow Nic’s path from managing a veterinary practice in Vancouver to returning home during COVID and steppi...

Katrina Candy is a woman who wears many hats — children's book author, mother, wife, business owner, and director of the Heather Trust. In this episode, Katrina shares her journey from a career in PR and journalism to her current role at the helm of a charity that focuses on upland management and conservation. We dive into Katrina’s love for the rural landscape, which began in her childhood and ha...

Educational Episode 3 : Business Structures for Rural Businesses with Lorna Balfour and Laura Kirkman With so much change, legislative and otherwise, we’re continuing our series of educational episodes to bring insights, advice and awareness to support your families and businesses. In this series we’ve already looked at IHT and Succession Planning and this episode is about your business structure...

Joyce Campbell farms in one of the most remarkable landscapes in Scotland. From her hill farm in North Sutherland she stewards land that sits within the Flow Country, a vast peatland landscape recently recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this conversation Joyce shares what it really means to farm in a place of global environmental importance while continuing the traditions and realities...

In this episode of the Women and Wellies podcast Hannah is joined by Dr Anna Fleck, a remote and rural GP whose work is taking her to some of the most beautiful and hard to reach communities across Scotland. From growing up between Edinburgh, Sydney and Glasgow to carving out a portfolio GP career that fits around family life, Anna shares how she found a different way of practising medicine. One r...

Educational Episode 2 : IHT and Succession Planning with Eilidh Adams With so much change, legislative and otherwise, we’re continuing our series of educational episodes to bring insights, advice and awareness to support your families and businesses. In this series we’re looking at … Key Takeaways you can expect from tuning in: - It can feel daunting to tackle succession planning and face the some...

Carenza Pinn is forging her own path with confidence, creativity and quiet determination and this conversation captures exactly what it looks like to back yourself even when the way forward is not clear. From growing up in the Highlands and Kinross to navigating loss, education, work and big decisions at a young age this episode is an honest reflection on learning through doing. Carenza shares her...

Iona Smith is a woman who brings passion, purpose and people together and this conversation captures exactly why she has become such a respected voice within Scottish agriculture. From growing up on a pedigree beef and sheep farm on the west coast to carving out her own path within the industry this episode is full of honesty, drive and pride in where she comes from. We explore Iona’s journey thro...

From County Durham to the Isle of Skye, from property law to energy law, and from suburban life to a home with bees, vegetables and a leaky roof, this conversation with Tamzin Munro is a beautiful journey through change, courage and community. Tamzin joins us from Southern Skye where she balances life as a mum of three with her role as an energy solicitor for Gillespie MacAndrew. Her story begins...

Sarah-Jane Laing (SJ) is Chief Executive at Scottish Land & Estates and is a familiar face in rural Scotland. From her childhood in Kelso with early memories of life on a working farm to becoming the first woman to lead Scottish Land and Estates, SJ’s journey is one of commitment, courage and care for the rural places she loves. We explore her early career in housing and public policy, the une...

Pickles, fire cooking and a whole lot of entrepreneurial chaos! This episode with Lucy Pattinson of Goat Rodeo Goods is an absolute ride from start to finish! Having first met Lucy while she was chefing an event in the Scottish Borders, its a delight to welcome her to the Women in Wellies podcast. From growing up in rural Derbyshire with a freezer full of pigeon, to a food-and-wine adventure in Fr...

Liz Barron-Majerik is Scotland Director for Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the land based and nature based sector, which works closely with Scottish Government. She has a background in plant science and agronomy, is also a Chartered Forester and STEM Ambassador, and received an MBE for her work in STEM Engagement. Liz shares her own career journey through working in higher education includi...

Woody Morris helps women find their happiness, health and energy from Happy Thistle Farm in the Scottish Borders and this conversation is filled with happiness and joy from start to finish (where even the dogs have their say!).  From a career in sports journalism that took Woody to Hong Kong, London and Southport to her rural idyl in the Scottish Borders this is a story that is woven with the...

Sylvia Ormiston and Highland Ponies are a well known pairing and what a treat it was to dive into her stories, experiences and lessons in this podcast episode.  Having met in the main ring at the Scottish Game Fair and sharing an insight into these wonderful ponies in the Highland Pony demonstrations it was only right to bring this to the podcast too! From keeping her first horse in the back...

Alice Wilson is a Senior Associate at Galbraith Ayr and joins me for this milestone episode  - number 50! Alice works throughout South West Scotland as a rural surveyor where no two days are ever the same.  Having been brought up on the family dairy farm Alice’s enthusiasm for all things rural runs deep and has shaped both the location she now works in and the variety of work she does. W...

Donna Smith is chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Federation with previous roles including deputy CEO at the Crofting Commission and senior business analyst in the Scottish Government rural payments and inspections division as well as running her own business consultancy for 4 years.  Join us as Donna takes us on her career journey particularly sharing the impact of breast cancer with a...

Lucy Laidlaw is a communications, marketing and community engagement consult based in East Lothian and working with a wide array of rural businesses supporting them to share their message, connect meaningfully and make an impact. From the juggle of raising boisterous boys to the joy of dopamine dressing we cover it all in this conversation.  Join us as Lucy takes us on her journey to today. A...

Lynsay Bell Manson is an architect, owner of Studio LBA and Orwell Farm’s rural business hub, a mum, a wife and plenty more besides. She runs two brilliant businesses, delivers beautiful projects, raises an awesome kid, has her own rural idyl and plenty more besides and I loved chatting to Lynsay for this episode of the Women in Wellies Podcast.  Well this conversation really takes us on a jo...

Kitty Grubb is Farmer Success Manager at Regenfied based in Edinburgh having grown up on a mixed farm in Sussex as one of five siblings. Defining herself as a “travelling saleswoman” Kitty takes us through her journey from studying French & Spanish at university to working in recruitment and head hunting before a transition to regenerative agriculture. Kitty’s determination and passion for the...

Jennifer is Head of Rural Agency and an Associate at DM Hall, mother of two, volunteer with cubs, RICS Scotland Board Member and studying (and making it look effortless)!  Join us as Jennifer takes us on her journey from business studies with textile chemistry to project management for interior design and even event management before finding her place in the rural sector and training to becom...

Alix is Program Director of Farmstrong Scotland, part time farmer, mother of two and at the time of recording in charge of 100 pet lambs!! Some juggle to kick us off!  Join us as Alix shares her story - from growing up rurally to university, working for and being part of Young Farmers and then her time with the Royal Highland Education Trust and Quality Meat Scotland. We delve into the power...

Rosie is a cut flower farmer and florist, and the owner of Scottish flower farm, Rosie Louise Cut Flowers. She grows on a 1/2 acre site near Edinburgh, using organic and no-dig practices.  Join us as Rosie shares the challenges she has overcome to uncover her love for horticulture, her passion for nature and more about her beautiful flower farm. The farm focuses on producing seasonal focal fl...