SRUC | SAC Consulting

Independent advice. Trusted expertise. Driving sustainable growth.

Over decades we have served farmers, crofters and rural estate owners, as well as we have SME's multinationals and governments. As demands, diversity and expectations around land management have evolved, so have we - advising as expertly on the carbon footprint of lamb production as on lambing itself; on energy storage as on the storage of potatoes; on natural capital assessments as on soil nutrient budgeting; on product development as on reducing carbon in your supply chain.

SAC Consulting is uniquely placed as part of SRUC to support the sustainable growth and prosperity of agriculture and land based businesses; working across food supply chains as they collectively rise to the challenge of climate change, biodiversity loss and food security. Our consultants offer technical advice which is grounded in the latest research, providing valued and trusted support to businesses and public sectors alike.

With roots that go back over 100 years, our trusted teams offer nationwide experience and local support through 24 offices across Scotland and Northern England, tailored to your business. Always working to build value through long-term customer relationships - we are ready to help you meet your next challenge and your next opportunity.

What can we do for you?

Working with you

Whether you are a crofter, a farmer, a rural estate or land manager or a business looking for consultancy support, we have trusted experts to help you move your business forward.

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Explore our work

From publications to projects or case studies, we've got decades of experience and a range of work to show you just how we are helping businesses like yours.

See some of our work

Our expert teams

Our diverse teams of advisors and specialists cover a lot of ground. Explore our teams to see what skills, support and specialist solutions we may be able to offer you.

More about our expertise

Understanding our work

Diversification Through a Succession Lens

Without a vision for your future, how do you know what you are working towards, or why you are doing what you do? For many farmers and crofters, their purpose comes from a drive to build a sustainable business, produce high-quality nutritious food, and protect and enhance our environment while creating a fulfilling lifestyle for their family.

Survey participation the key to the future of farming

Scotland’s farmers are being asked to participate in the vital round of annual data gathering that will help inform the direction of policy decision-making in the nation’s agricultural sector. Every year the Scottish Farm Business Survey (SFBS) gathers key economic and environmental data to provide in-depth focus and analysis. The information is used to help Scottish Government shape its future agricultural policy.

Safeguarding the future of Scotland’s potato industry at 26th SACAPP Conference

Successful potato production requires continual innovation and improvement – the market and threats to production are ever-changing. Meeting the challenges will be the focus of the 26th annual gathering in Dundee of the country’s leading potato producers and the companies that support them.

Succession and the Budget 2024: How do we talk about death and money?

The recent UK budget and its changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) has generated a significant reaction across industry. The long-held ability of family farming businesses to pass land and assets on to the next generation upon the death of the owner free of inheritance tax is gone. We now must pay much closer attention to how we do this as individual farming businesses.

Crofting in Stornoway: Iain Macmillan’s crofting journey

Ian Macmillan on the farm with his dog, Sam. I can honestly say that I have always been a crofter. My dad was a crofter and Harris Tweed weaver, his father was a crofter and my mother’s father was a

Crofting on the West Coast: Laura MacGregor’s crofting journey

I am a fifth-generation crofter from the village of Taynuilt on the West Coast of Scotland. My crofting journey started at a young age, with helping my grandfather and father doing jobs that involved being outside with the cattle.