OnFARM Scottish farming podcast
Episodes
In memoriam: Andrew Arbuckle - much missed author, farmer, journalist and MSP
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The late great Andrew Arbuckle was a well kent name in Scottish farming.The former Scotsman and Dundee Courier farming editor, ex MSP, author and farm...
Anna and Willie chat with Farmstrong's Sarah Stephen
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Farmstrong Scotland is a brilliant wellbeing programme for farmers and crofters, sharing peer-to-peer tips and advice.Their excellent podcast is calle...
In memoriam: Christopher Trotter - much-loved Fife food ambassador and chef
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Towards the end of 2025, we sadly lost Christopher Trotter, a well-known Fife chef, food writer, and ambassador for local and seasonal produce. He di...
Raven Botanicals' co-founder Arabella Harvey
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're looking for Christmas present inspiration, look no further!This week's guest is Arabella Harvey from Raven Botanicals, the Scottish skincare...
Soil forensics and the World's End murders: Prof Lorna Dawson of the James Hutton Institute
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lorna Dawson was a student in Edinburgh in 1977, when 17-year-olds Helen Scott and Christine Eadie were murdered after a night out at the World's End ...
Feuds, disputes, and arguments: how mediation can help (repeat)
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us in farming - unfortunately - know someone who’s been in an argument or a dispute. It could be between relatives over an inheritance, over...
Louping-ill in sheep and grouse: crowdfunding a vaccine
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tick-borne virus Louping-ill has been spreading across Scotland since a vaccine was withdrawn. The disease is fatal to sheep and red grouse, though it...
Celebrating RHET - bringing the countryside into the classroom
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well over 70,000 children in Scotland benefit each year from the work of RHET - the Royal Highland Education Trust. RHET take children onto farms, and...
RSABI's Great Scone Palace Challenge - with Gillespie Macandrew
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The inaugural RSABI Great Scone Palace Challenge was a joyous 'It's a Knockout' event, raising over £80,000 to support people in Scottish agriculture...
Eat Sleep Ride founder Danielle McKinnon
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Care leaver Danielle McKinnon runs Eat Sleep Ride, a social enterprise in Lamberton, East Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders. Her work, with horses...
Fashionable Forres: Christine Ann De Agostini
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A less typical episode of OnFARM this week, as we chat with fashion designer and keeper of two clothing stores - one for gents and one for ladies - Ch...
After berries, where next? Dreaming a new future for a Blairgowrie fruit farm
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maddie Thomson learned her skills in digital communications in London - but has returned to Scotland, to create a new future for her family's Perthshi...
240 Years of RHASS: how the charity supports rural Scotland (2 of 2)
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The second half of our kitchen table chat about RHASS and how the charity strives for new ways to preserve, educate and support Scottish agriculture.A...
240 Years of RHASS: how the charity supports rural Scotland (1 of 2)
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A kitchen table chat about RHASS and how the charity strives for new ways to preserve, educate and support Scottish agriculture.Anna speaks with RHASS...
Introducing the Lantern Scottish Poetry podcast
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Something a bit different this week... We're pleased to share a recent episode of the Lantern Scottish Poetry podcast, presented by Scotland's Makar (...
Balgone Estate: sunflowers, pumpkins and more
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At East Lothian's picturesque Balgone Estate, Anna meets David Grant-Suttie and Alex Humphreys, young entrepreneurs driving Balgone's diversifica...
ICYMI: Live from the Royal Highland Show, connecting producers with consumers
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The last of three episodes from the Royal Highland Show that we are resharing as they were published over the summer holidays. This time, three storie...
ICYMI: 50 voices from the Highland Show (2 of 2)
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're republishing this episode for folk that might have missed it over the summer. It's part 2 of Anna and producer Dave's challenge to record 50 sto...
ICYMI: 50 voices from the Highland Show (1 of 2)
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the kids back at school, we (and you?) are back into a podcast listening routine. So we thought we'd re-share these packed and fun-filled episode...
RHASS 240 years of stories: 50 voices from the Highland Show (2 of 2)
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of Anna and producer Dave's challenge to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show. This is part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories ini...
RHASS 240 years of stories: 50 voices from the Highland Show (1 of 2)
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anna and producer Dave have set themselves a challenge: to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show, as part of RHASS's 240 Years of Storie...
RHASS 240 years of stories: Catriona and Russell Brown
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Russell and Catriona Brown, a brother and sister from Bonnington Farm near Peebles, in our latest OnRECORD partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of ...
RHASS 240 years of stories: Connecting producers and consumers live at the Highland Show
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Three stories of food and farm businesses about how they connect with consumers - our latest partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of Stories. Recorded l...
Scottish Eatwell Guide, and eating well for menopause
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet the nutritionist team behind the first ever Scottish Eatwell Guide. The guide is designed to reflect how foods grown and produced in Scotland fit...
Crafty Maltsters and the need for "Scottish Farming PLC"
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is needed to keep Scottish farming competitive, and who should lead on that work? Alison Milne co-owns Crafty Maltsters, a barley malting plant o...
Rebecca Smith, author of Rural: the lives of the working class countryside
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Falkirk-based Rebecca Smith's first book is called Rural: The Lives of the Working-Class Countryside. As a forester's daughter, Rebecca grew up in tie...
Barley: Scotland's most valuable crop - with SEFARI's Rowett and James Hutton Institutes
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Barley is by far Scotland's most important crop, and the world's fourth most important cereal crop. Anna hears about Dundee's new International Barley...
Farming and AMR (anti-microbial resistance) - with SEFARI's Moredun and Rowett Institutes
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
AMR - anti-microbial resistance - is the name for the growing number of infections that are becoming difficult or impossible to treat with antibiotics...
Scottish soft fruit health benefits - with SEFARI and the James Hutton and Rowett Institutes
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all know Scottish soft fruits are good for us - but in this OnFARM, experts explain exactly how and why Scottish berries have such brilliant health...
Should you be farming hemp? - with SEFARI and the Rowett Institute
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Barley, wheat, oilseed rape... Should hemp be considered alongside these as viable crops for Scottish growers? Researchers at the University of Aberde...
Willie Logan: OnRECORD and RHASS 240 years of stories
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since we first aired this wonderful interview with Willie Logan from East Lothian, the 91-year old East Lothian farmer has been adopted as a 'poster b...
Monty's brain tumour: a health update
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Seven months after suffering a seizure, and being diagnosed with brain cancer, Monty and his wife Moira chat with Anna and producer Dave about how thi...
'The Black Farmer' Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE (thanks to FAS Agri Culture)
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, aka The Black Farmer, describes his difficult start to life in the UK, before starting work for the BBC and discovering a ...
Jim Smith farm tour (2 of 2, repeat)
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Farmer Jim, AKA Jim Smith the Stand-up Farmer, welcomes Anna back to his home in the Perthshire hills. In this second part of their chat, recorded bac...
Jim Smith farm tour (1 of 2, repeat)
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Smith's comedy career has come on in leaps and bounds since Anna first spoke to him in the springtime of 2020. He is also a staunch supporter of S...
"Extreme" fly-tipping: legal advice from Gillespie Macandrew
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fly-tipping is something all too many farmers and landowners will be aware of. If "extreme" fly-tipping is new to you, we're talking about bigger thin...
A view from Argentina (thanks to FAS Stock Talk)
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks to the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) for sharing this Stock Talk episode on farming in Argentina. Argentinian farmer Allan Cameron talks with pre...
Andrew Arbuckle: champion pole vaulter (repeat)
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After lots of lovely feedback on last week's episode with 91-year-old East Lothian farmer Willie Logan, and the launch of OnRECORD to capture memories...
OnRECORD: Willie Logan on 91 years (and counting) of farming life
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Willie Logan from East Lothian shares memories of farming, horses and families, from his 91 years (so far!) living and working in Scottish agriculture...
Introducing OnRECORD: preserving precious memories
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing OnFARM's exciting new sister project - OnRECORD. Thanks to OnRECORD, you can book the OnFARM team to record and preserve precious voices a...
Farming Funny podcast: Nick and Jim swap notes with OnFARM
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Thomson and James Fairlie from the 'Farming Funny' podcast join Anna for a good blether about life, farming, and podcasting - and why James alway...
RSABI's Carol McLaren speaks to OnFARM
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Carol McLaren chats with Anna about her time so far as CEO of Scottish farming support charity RSABI. There is some discussion of mental ill health - ...
Farmstrong, a Nuffield Scholarship, and Moray farming: Jock Gibson
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jock Wilson is a busy guy! In this episode, producer Dave visits Jock to learn about the various projects and enterprises he's involved in - from beef...
OnFARM: Four more years...
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short episode reflects on 4 years (so far) of the OnFARM podcast - and looks at ways businesses and organisations can come on board to sponsor or...
Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace (updated episode)
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace collect farm trucks and 4x4 vehicles, pack them with aid, supplies, and equipment, and then drive them in convoy ...
"No fungi, no us": mycologist Neville Kilkenny
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A teaspoon of healthy soil can contain over 3 miles of fungus - if stretched out end-to-end. That's just one of the fascinating fungi facts shared in ...
Anna and Dave interviewed by the Radio Academy podcast
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Behind the scenes insight, as Anna and producer Dave chat with Hayley Hayes, host of the Radio Academy podcast, about the making on OnFARM. The Radio ...
Monty's health: an update from the team
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You may have noticed that Monty's voice has been absent from recent episodes of OnFARM. Unfortunately, this is because he has been receiving medical t...
The Great Glen Cattle Ranch at Spean Bridge
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Elspeth and Paolo Berardelli farm the Great Glen Cattle Ranch at Spean Bridge. They have a wide spread of enterprises on the farm, ranging from sheep ...
Cairngorm Alpacas at Lochbuie Croft
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being a fourth-generation crofter, Robert Mackenzie has been on a steep learning curve since he took over Lochbuie Croft in Newtonmore fi...
Eagle predation: are 'guardian dogs' an answer?
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As eagle numbers grow in parts of Scotland, so do farmers' concerns over livestock predation. At Rothiemurchus falconry outside Aviemore, Jonny Ames b...
Scottish Ploughing Championships 2023
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
All things ploughing – ahead of the 59th Scottish Ploughing Championships taking place in Ayrshire on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October. Produce...
Caithness YFC: celebrating 100 years of Young Farmers in Scotland
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrations have been taking place in Caithness to mark 100 years since the Young Farmer’s movement got underway in Scotland. The Scottish Associat...
Patrick Laurie: Galloway farmer, conservationist, and author
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick Laurie is an upland farmer and conservationist from Dalbeatie in Dumfries and Galloway. He talks to Monty of his pride in his herd of traditio...
Supporting bird life in upland East Lothian: Kelvin Pate
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
East Lothian upland farmer Kelvin Pate is a relatively recent convert to bird conservation; he first started paying closer attention to the birds on h...
Fife food ambassador Christopher Trotter
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fife food ambassador, writer and chef Christopher Trotter once ran a Michelin-starred kitchen. In this chat with OnFARM's Sarah Anderson, which we are...
ADHD in farming: Will Evans and Domhnall Macsween
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The number of adults receiving ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) prescriptions in Scotland has increased seven-fold in the last decade,...
RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2023
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The unique Great Glen Challenge sees teams compete in cycling, kayaking, walking, and running between Fort Augustus and Fort William, covering a 49 km...
Visiting Farm Ness (as seen on BBC This Farming Life)
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Joanna MacGregor is the driving force behind a farm shop and play area at Farm Ness, on the Dochfour Estate outside Inverness. Joanna and her husband ...
SAYFC on the pull: Tug of War championships 2023
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In amongst the action at the 2023 SAYFC Tug of War championships - this episode's got grit, glory, excitement, and controversy. We hear from competito...
Rider Pilates Club: help to stay in the saddle
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rider Pilates Club is a rider-specific exercise plan, to help people sit straighter, stronger and easier in their saddle. It was created by Bristol-ba...
Trucks and aid to Ukraine: farmer-led Pickups For Peace
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace collect farm jtrucks and 4x4 vehicles, pack them with aid, supplies, and equipment, and then drive them in convoy...
150th episode Highland Show 'Pitch a Pod' competition
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
OnFARM's 150th episode! To celebrate this milestone, we gave Highland Show go-ers the chance to pitch us their ideas for future podcast subjects. Hear...
Helping It Happen awards from SLE: what it means to win (3 of 3)
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Eagle populations have been boosted in the South of Scotland to their highest numbers for decades, thanks to The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Projec...
Royal Highland Show 2023: OnFARM round-up
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From the cattle ring to the Highland Hall, the machinery lines and everywhere inbetween, Monty and Dave cover as much of the action at Ingliston as ca...
Golden Shears world shearing championships at the Royal Highland Show
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Golden Shears world sheep shearing championships are hosted in 2023 by the Royal Highland Show. The competition's first return to Scotland in over...
RHET chairman's cycle challenge
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
RHET chairman and Dumfries and Galloway farmer Alistair Marshall is midway through a cross-Scotland cycling fundraiser. His e hopes to visit schools i...
Organic farming: 'The Road Ahead' SOPA conference
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Anna attended the recent national conference of SOPA – Scottish Organic – at the Royal Highland Showground. It was a brilliant forward-think...
Feuds, disputes, and arguments: how mediation can help
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us in farming - unfortunately - know someone who’s been in an argument or a dispute. It could be between relatives over an inheritance, or o...
Ringside at Fife Show with the Gillespie MacAndrew team
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are alongside the main arena at Fife Show, courtesy of OnFARM partners and sponsors Gillespie MacAndrew. Guest co-presenters are Carol McQuillan an...
Heather thatching at Braemar Castle - with Bell Ingram
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A follow-up to our episode on the restoration of Braemar Castle in Royal Deeside. We are with Bell Ingram team volunteers, senior architect Iain Cram,...
Braemar Castle community restoration project - with Bell Ingram
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Braemar Castle in Royal Deeside has been under scaffolding for many months - as it is being lovingly restored by a team led by the local community, wi...
Helping It Happen awards from SLE: what it means to win (2 of 3)
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The 2023 Helping It Happen awards from Scottish Land and Estates are open for nominations here. In this mini-series in partnership with SLE, Anna meet...
Helping It Happen awards from SLE: what it means to win (1 of 3)
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The 2023 Helping It Happen awards from Scottish Land and Estates are now open for nominations here. In this mini-series in partnership with SLE, Anna ...
SAOS: Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The first ever SAOS Growing Tomorrow's Leaders cohort have recently completed their training. Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders programme has been designed...
Sheep scab 'top of the agenda'
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There has never been more sheep scab in Scotland than there is at the moment, according to advisors at the Moredun animal health research institute. M...
ADHD in farming: Will Evans and Domhnall Macsween
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will Evans and Domhnall Macsween have both recently been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Will, who is chair of the Oxf...
75 years of Lauderdale point-to-point
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Horse racing will make a welcome return to the hills above Galashiels next month (Sunday 16th April) when the Lauderdale point-to-point takes place at...
Highland fresh flowers from Corrimony Farm: Mother's Day sorted!
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Girvan sells fresh seasonal flowers grown on her family's Highland farm in the heart of Glenurquhart, near Inverness. You can set up a su...
James Oswald, Fife farmer and best-selling crime writer (2 of 2)
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A second visit to the home of farmer and Sunday Times-bestselling author James Oswald. Monty's a big fan of James' supernatural crime books, especiall...
James Oswald, Fife farmer and best-selling crime writer (1 of 2)
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
James Oswald is the Sunday Times-bestselling author of dozens of books including the Edinburgh-based Inspector Tony McLean series of supernatural crim...
Showcase: Agri Culture podcast from FAS Sounds
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Something a bit different this week: Anna was recently interviewed by Mary Jane Lawrie for the FAS Sounds Agri Culture podcast, so we thought we'd bri...
Dynescan's innovative semen analyser: a livestock vet's view
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Following last week's episode when Monty got to try a Dynescan portable semen quality analyser, we're hearing from a livestock vet who offers Dynescan...
Dynescan penside livestock semen analysis
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Created in Scotland: a game-changing portable pen-side semen quality analyser for livestock industries. The Dynescan was developed at Edinburgh Univer...
Equine Grass Sickness: updating The Moredun's search for a cure
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In February 2021, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, was a guest on OnFARM, launching a fundraising drive to find a cure for Equine Grass Sickness. Th...
The Red Shepherdess and Danny the Farrier
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah and Danny Gallagher - better known to many on social media as The Red Shepherdess and Danny the Farrier - share their delight and excitement at...
Happy Christmas and New Year from all at OnFARM
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For our final episode of 2022, Monty, Anna and Dave look back on the year's highlights. Huge thanks to everyone who's been involved in helping make On...
"Full blown crisis" for Scottish fruit growers: James Porter
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rising costs, increasing uncertainty and a squeeze on prices are all contributing to a "full blown crisis" for Scottish fruit growers, according to An...
Scottish Agritourism's "opportunity to become world renowned" (first published 2021)
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Scottish agritourism faces “the opportunity to become world renowned”, according to Visit Scotland’s Vicki Millar. Monty also meets Cabinet Secr...
Doddie Weir: "we'll continue until we win the game" (first published Feb 2020)
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are all adjusting to life without Doddie Weir - Scotland and Lions rugby legend, Motor Neuron Disease campaigner, and Borders farmer. In this OnFAR...
What3Words: Free easy-to-use app that can save your life
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Midlothian mum Rachel Moyes broke her back in four places after being flung from a horse's back in a remote location. Ambulance workers used the What3...
Peelham Farm's Denise Walton: Nature-friendly farming
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Denise Walton trained as an ecologist, but has spent 30 years alongside family and business partners building up Peelham Farm, and expanding into butc...
Scottish farming, food prices, and climate change: a view from SAOS
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What needs to happen to prices and ways of working, to enable farming and food production to meet carbon reduction targets? A year on from world leade...
Natural farming: Savory-accredited William Houstoun
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A chat with Scotland's only Savory Institute-trained holistic management educator. Anna spends time with William Houstoun, who works with farms, estat...
The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda Owen, 'The Yorkshire Shepherdess', is one of the UK’s most famous famers. She chats with Anna about her hill farm, and her life as a shepherd...
SLE's Helping It Happen Awards
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anna speaks with some of the shortlisted teams and winners at the recent Scottish Land and Estates 'Helping It Happen' awards. The awards recognise th...
Funding rural Scotland's climate change solutions - with First Port
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Four rural communities from around Scotland have been shortlisted for up to £50,000 of Scottish Government funding to support climate change solution...
Tillage Live 2022
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A wander around the 2022 Tillage Live event held at Dunbar in East Lothian, and organised by the Agricultural Engineers Association. Monty and pr...
OnFARM Helps: Social media and your rural business
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Advice and support for anyone looking to maximise the impact of social media to support your rural business. Anna is joined by social media expert Pam...
Rural Scotland's two moving tributes to Her Majesty the Queen
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rodney Blackhall and Emma Cheape describe how they both - independently of each other - organised moving rural tributes to Her Majesty the Queen as sh...