farm care dig grow

We’ve all thought about it. Swapping the long commute and eight hours a day staring at a computer screen for fresh air and a life outdoors. On This Farming Life (BBC2, 7 March, 7pm) sea shepherd Sandy did just that, leaving life as a criminal barrister behind to instead herd sheep in the wild Outer Hebrides.

It clearly suits him. Short of a broken rib or two (from a wayward bull) the farmer spends his days drinking tea with fellow crofters in rural Scottish hills before teaming up to pile sheep into rickety boats and take them to the mainland for sale. Then it’s home to hand-rear baby bulls with wife Ali to avoid any more broken ribs once they reach full size.

He’s not the only one in love with Scottish farming. North of Aberdeen there’s nothing Martin doesn’t know about his prized Limousin bulls, with girlfriend Mel given the grand tour for their first date. And in Ross-shire sheep, cattle and potato farmer John Scott vows he’ll keep going until he “drops down dead” as he prepares to host the International Sheep Dog trials on his land.

But, tempting as all this sounds, even this passion can’t mask the struggles of a life living off the land. From slaughtering animals that don’t fit the bill to eking out profit from supermarkets and inspiring the reluctant next generation to pick up the mantle, there are no easy days in a farmer’s schedule.

How heartening then that not a single family captured in this 12-month snapshot is remotely interested in giving it all up. Food for thought as we all start another day in the office.

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