Crofting in Orkney: Graham Scott’s crofting journey

_{Graham Scott's farmland in the parish of South Ronaldsay.}

Growing up surrounded by livestock (cattle, sheep, poultry and a goat) on my parents smallholding was always going to leave a deep impression on me. With all five of my mother's sisters and their husbands taking their living from farming and my uncle and granddad on my dad’s side being farmers too, I was totally immersed in the industry. I had a childhood full of fond and vivid farming memories - including hot summer days working in the hay with an MF35, handling what seemed like thousands of small square bales.   

I was fortunate enough to buy 30 acres of land in 2018 on my return to Orkney having worked ‘South’ with RPID for seven years. I had just started as a consultant with SAC Consulting in Kirkwall, and was keen to try and improve everything on my new property but didn’t appreciate how long it would take. For only a small area of land I’ve erected well over three miles of fencing, together with numerous concrete strainers and 19 steel gates. All the ditches have been cleaned and a substantial amount of new field drains installed. Everything has been reseeded, two fields twice. The knowledge I gained from colleagues within SAC Consulting has been a great help.

I developed an interest in soils and became keen to bring all the pH, phosphate and potash levels up to recommended targets. I was also grateful to receive funding through AECS to introduce my own breeding cattle onto the unit and to manage areas to benefit wildlife. I have an area of species' rich grassland, wild bird seed, and fields are grazed and cut to benefit waders. Additionally, I have a small GP shed, 5kW wind turbine and one acre of tree planting which I’ve also invested in.

There have been a few ups and downs along the way. Losing stock to bleeding calf syndrome was a particular low, but the feeling I get from walking through a well fenced field containing livestock happily grazing a sward of clover and ryegrass makes everything worthwhile.

Having my own smallholding certainly helps my role as a consultant. Quite often the letter from RPID on the weekend is the same letter that my clients will be phoning me up about on the Monday. It’s also good to experience first-hand the same practical challenges that face my clients, so I have a more rounded understanding rather than gleaning it from a technical note or textbook. My preferred method for the control of docks, or choice of fertilisers and winter feed rations for example have all been shaped by my experiences on the holding.

I believe there will always be a role for smallholders in Orkney. The county, with its mild maritime climate and long summer days grows grass like nowhere else. What better use for this plentiful bounty than to graze it off with ruminants and turn it into tasty beef and lamb? Losing livestock and smallholders from Orkney is akin to Wimbledon losing its association with tennis and Murrayfield its rugby. There will always be challenges, but these are needed to be able to appreciate the good days. I certainly see a bright future for this pursuit in my beautiful, tranquil home of Orkney.

Graham Scott

Agricultural Consultant

Orkney

Posted by SAC Consulting on 15/11/2024