Women In Wellies Podcast

We are joined by Lucy Graham as the second guest as part of our ‘Next Generation’ series. Lucy is currently studying at the SRUC Campus in Edinburgh for her HNC in Agriculture and working part time on a local goat and sheep farm.Join us as Lucy shares her journey from growing up on her own family farm to realising her passion for genetics and building her confidence through Young Farmers. Lucy shares her work ethic, organisation and commitment to going after what she wants, including heading straight to the milking parlour from her college nights out. We discuss the variety of work that Lucy gets involved with and how no two days on a farm are the same as well as the opportunities she has made the most of through Young Farmers taking on roles such as tea convenor and her aspirations for the future. Lucy shares with us wisdom she has gained from family members. advice she lives by and her goals for where she’d like to be in five years time in a fabulous and inspiring conversation with us. We can’t wait to see all Lucy goes on to achieve!This episode is sponsored by the Rural Scotland team at Savills.Connect with Lucy on social media - Facebook : Lucy Graham \\ Instagram : @lu_24_cygrxhamEpisode Recorded on 14th May 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Millar is Chief Executive of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), the Public Body for the red meat sector in Scotland. Join us as Sarah shares her journey from growing up on a farm in Lanarkshire and working in her family's butchery business, to exploring different avenues in the food and farming sector including agronomy and organics recycling, before realising her passion and finding her niche at QMS. Sarah talks about the role the Scottish Young Farmers Association has played in her life, her involvement with the National Council of Rural Advisors, and having the opportunity to be heard and valued as a young person. We talk about the responsibility that comes with helping shape the future of not just the red meat sector in Scotland, but of her family and friends lives and businesses, and how she balances that with having a life outside work. Sarah gives us an insight into what it was like to go off on maternity leave at the height of her career, how she navigated being diagnosed with MS at the age of 24, and how she now makes a conscious effort to seize the day. This episode is sponsored by the Landed Estates and Rural Business Team at Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants.Connect with Sarah on social media - LinkedIn : Sarah Millar / Quality Meat Scotland \\ Instagram : @qmscotland Episode Recorded on 7th March 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having started her career working as a freelance stage manager in theatre and opera, Ros Wardman is now Forest Industries Advisor with Scottish Forestry, alongside being a Mum and passionate advocate for forestry and the wider sector. Join us as Ros shares her story of swapping the wooden boards of the stage for the real thing as she studied forestry at Newton Rigg. Since then Ros has been working across south and central Scotland in a variety of roles with Forestry and Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry. Her love of forestry began on family holidays and days out so, despite growing up in urban Liverpool, Ros has a deep rooted love for forestry and woodlands. We discuss the challenges Ros has overcome - progressing on return from maternity leave, a male dominated sector and so much more besides. Ros demonstrates her passion and advocacy for forestry and the development of small businesses that are connected to the sector through the stories she tells us and experiences shared. If you’ve been inspired by this conversation and want to know more about a career in forestry then do reach out to Ros Wardman - she’d be delighted to speak to you.This episode is sponsored by the Rural Scotland team at Savills.Connect with Ros on social media - LinkedIn : Ros Wardman MICFor / Scottish Forestry \\ Instagram : @scottishforestry \\ X : @scotforestryEpisode Recorded on 27th February 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anja Baak owns and runs the award-winning Great Glen Charcuterie in Spean Bridge, alongside her husband, Jan Jacob. Join us as Anja takes us on their journey from moving to Scotland from the Netherlands, and how they built a sustainable and ethical business, with a connection to the local landscape at its heart.  Anja gives us an insight into how the business and products have evolved, and why authenticity and storytelling is such an important part of what they do. Anja talks about balancing family life raising six children, with the needs of the business, their family love of food, and what it is really like working with her husband, alongside the impact Jan Jacob’s health challenges have had, and how wild swimming and finding her tribe have helped her navigate that. Anja shares some of her experiences of being involved with Women’s Enterprise Scotland and how being raised in an entrepreneurial family helped encourage her to pursue her own path. Anja is passionate about sharing experiences to encourage other women and girls to start businesses, to learn from each other and create a sense of community. Find out more and order your own Great Glen Charcuterie here : https://www.greatglencharcuterie.com/Find out more about Women’s Enterprise Scotland here : https://www.wescotland.co.uk/This episode is sponsored by the Landed Estates and Rural Business Team at Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants.Connect with Anja on social media - LinkedIn : Anja Baak \\ Instagram : @greatglencharcuterieEpisode Recorded on 16 March 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Jenner is an environmental scientist, PhD Student, long distance runner, secret entrepreneur, and Head of Natural Capital Scotland at Savills. Join us as Lucy shares her journey from growing up in the Lake District getting her hands dirty, to studying in Scotland, working with academics at the University of Edinburgh to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, and joining Savills last year to head up the Natural Capital Scotland Team. Lucy shares her passion for the natural environment and being part of a solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis, which has become a human rights issue, equality issue, wellbeing issue and security issue. Through her PhD, Lucy is researching how to improve decision making on the benefits and trade-offs of land use change in Scotland, with some interesting results to date. We discuss the concept of ecological grief and solastalgia, including Lucy’s experiences working with young people through the 2050 Climate Group, her brief foray into the start-up world selling energy bars in reusable wrapping, the importance of empathy in conversations around land use, and how you need to be your own example when it comes to role models. This episode is sponsored by the Rural Scotland team at Savills.Connect with Lucy Jenner on social media - LinkedIn : Lucy Jenner \\ Instagram : @savillsrural Episode Recorded on 6th February 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polly Pullar is a writer, a photographer, a naturalist, a conservationist, a wildlife rehabilitator, and so much more besides, which she shares in this podcast episode. Join us as Polly takes us from her childhood in Ardnamurchan with wellies filled with frogspawn to rural Perthshire which is now home. Polly shares how her parents, teachers and those around her inspired her with nature from childhood, encouraging her to be inquisitive, to get stuck in and to explore. Polly’s love affair with nature has endured ever since and shaped her life and career. She shares the challenges she has faced with depression and anxiety including how nature has provided her with the emotional ballast to overcome these times. Polly shares some of her favourite wildlife rehabilitation stories including her travels with squirrel kits and tawny owlets, and returning red squirrels to the wild. Polly is passionate about inspiring the next generation of children to get stuck into nature, but this episode will inspire young and old to get outdoors and embrace the natural environment.  Order Polly’s Books - A Scurry of Squirrels,  The Horizontal Oak and plenty more besides here : https://www.pollypullar.com/books/This episode is sponsored by the Landed Estates and Rural Business Team at Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants.Connect with Polly on social media - LinkedIn : Polly Pullar \\ Instagram : @pollypullar \\ Website : https://www.pollypullar.com/Episode Recorded on Monday 26th February 2024All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us on International Women's Day 2024 is Kim Cameron, entrepreneur and award winning owner of The Gin Bothy in Angus. In this episode, Kim shares her journey from growing up in rural Glenisla with a childhood steeped in the traditional songs and stories of rural Scotland, to developing a successful international business with local people and produce at its heart.  We discuss the crucial role Kim's team of 19 women has played in the success of Bothy Trading, and the importance of  involving her daughter Cara in decision making. Kim’s passion for tradition, culture and preserving rural skills and jobs shines throughout the episode, as does her passion for brand Scotland, commitment to balancing growth with authenticity, and continuing the legacy of other local rural producers.  Kim shares an insight behind her business model which follows a circular economy principle, and how the award winning product line has continued to evolve. We discuss The Gin Bothy being selected to be part of the Oscar Nominees gift bags this year and the importance of shouting about your successes, as well as some of the personal sacrifices Kim has had to make to achieve that professional success. We end with a fantastic piece of advice to the next generation - be brave! This episode is sponsored by the Rural Scotland team at Savills.Connect with Kim on social media - LinkedIn : Kim Cameron \\ Instagram : @theginbothy \\ Website : https://www.ginbothy.co.uk/Episode Recorded on Sunday 25th February 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally Crowe is a crofter in Caithness, who brings a can-do attitude and a hearty dose of humour to her work, and this podcast episode. Join us as Sally shares her journey from growing up on the family croft, travelling to New Zealand and Australia with the Scottish team for the World Sheep Shearing Championships, and having her world turned upside down when she contracted Q-Fever. Sally talks about the mental, physical and financial battles she faced in dealing with her illness and the impact it had on her approach to life. From moving to regenerative farming and selling direct to the consumer through her successful lamb and Irish Moiled beef box business, to embracing mindfulness, rest and holidays, Sally lives by the motto ‘work smarter, not harder’. We also discuss the importance of family, including Sally’s IVF journey to have her son William and why she developed the Farm Emergency Planner - a one stop tool for everything someone would need to know about your farm in the event of an emergency. You can find out more here : https://myweecroftie.comSally rounds out this episode with fantastic advice and a great reminder - it doesn’t cost anything to be nice or helpful!This episode is sponsored by the Landed Estates and Rural Business Team at Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants. Connect with Sally on social media - Facebook - My Wee Croftie \\ TikTok - @myweecroftie \\ Website : https://myweecroftie.comEpisode Recorded on Saturday 3rd February 2024.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first guest as part of our ‘Next Generation’ series is Hannah Munro, a 20 year old Rural Estate Student and Forester on Balcaskie Estate in Fife.Join us as Hannah shares her journey from growing up on a farm in the Highlands, to realising a passion for forestry and studying for an HNC in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry at The Scottish School of Forestry, before moving to Fife to join a newly formed forestry team. Hannah talks about being the only girls in her class and her determination to succeed, her experience of winning the LANTRA ALBA Timber and Trees Learner of the Year Award in 2023, how she got her first job, and being interviewed for the Forestry Journal as part of their ‘Women in Forestry’ feature. We also discuss the challenge of trying to find the right career guidance and support for those who don't want to pursue the university route, leaving a legacy as a forester, and getting gear that fits. Having achieved so much already in such a short space of time, we can’t wait to see what comes next for Hannah! Connect with Hannah on social media - Instagram - @hannahmunro_30Episode Recorded on Saturday 28th January 2024. All views expressed are our own.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode of 2024, we celebrate the first anniversary of the Women in Wellies Podcast! Join us as we reflect back on the last year, including the highlights and experience of creating 23 episodes of amazing stories and inspirational listening, and all the tears and cackles along the way. We talk about growing confidence, Hannah’s favourite phrase, Charlotte’s view on selfies, being a pantomime horse, and the exciting plans for what we have coming next! With lots of laughter and a real insight behind the scenes of how we make the podcast, why we do it, and the incredible support we have received, this is a must listen episode.This episode is sponsored by the Landed Estates and Rural Business Team at Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants. Connect with Charlotte on social media : Instagram - @landagentlife // LinkedIn - Charlotte Gilfillan Connect with Hannah on social media : Instagram - @hannahlloydsle // LinkedIn - Hannah Lloyd Episode Recorded on Sunday 14th January 2024. All views expressed are our own.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirstene Hair is a former Member of Parliament and political advisor, who now owns and runs Empower, a leadership coaching business for women. Join us as Kirstene shares her journey from growing up on her family farm in Angus, to time in London working in events, before returning to Scotland and ultimately running as the political candidate for Angus. Kirstene talks about how her farming background instilled in her a strong work ethic, and how her love for rural Scotland inspired her political campaigns. Kirstene gives an insight into the many challenges she has faced, from the abuse she received while serving as an MP and overcoming her own lack of self confidence, and how this led her to empower other women, both as business leaders and in politics. We discuss leading by example and how pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is a very effective form of personal and professional growth. With a plethora of fantastic advice and gems of wisdom, this episode is definitely not one to miss!Connect with Kirstene on social media - Instagram - @kirstenehair // LinkedIn - Kirstene Hair // Website - empowercoach.ukEpisode Recorded on Saturday 2nd December 2023All views expressed are our own Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Clark owns and runs Glenegedale House on the Isle of Islay, an award winning, five star guest house described as ‘a true gem’, alongside her husband Graeme. Join us as Emma shares her journey from growing up on Islay, to three university degrees, meeting Graeme and building a life on the mainland, before their return to run Glenegedale House. For the first time, Emma also shares her story of the difficult and emotional journey of family succession and buying Glenegedale, to building the successful business they have today in spite of the many challenges they have faced. Emma’s story is one of strength and resilience, driven by a determination to create the best life for her family and a shared passion to deliver the best experience for her guests. We talk about island communities - the opportunity to utilise a local supply chain, to demonstrate the value of local to guests and share stories. Emma shares lessons from standing up for yourself, working out what your dream is and encouraging her kids to reach for the moon! With plans for an exciting expansion, we are looking forward to following the next chapter of Emma’s story and Glenegedale House!Connect with Emma on social media - Instagram - @GlenegedaleHouse // LinkedIn - Emma Clark // Website - https://glenegedalehouse.co.uk/Episode Recorded on Saturday 25th November 2023.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eilidh Ross is a specialist consultant in crofting law from Beauly in Inverness-shire, and owns and runs Camus Consulting. Join us as Eilidh shares her journey from Inverness to America and back again, her indecision on a career route and how she found law, along with her desire to help people both in her work and other roles. Eilidh shares some of the individuals who have inspired, guided and mentored her over the years and we discuss the influence these mentors can play in our lives. A key influence for Eilidh has been her role as Mum, which has shaped many of the decisions she has made, and we discuss the juggle and challenges of being a parent, along with the opportunity that Eilidh seized to set up her own business and the impact of that on her work/life balance.  Connect with Eilidh on social media - LinkedIn - Eilidh Ross / Camus Consulting // Website - www.camus.scotGender Pay Gap on Twitter : https://twitter.com/PayGapAppEpisode Recorded on Saturday 11th November 2023.All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Macalister Hall runs the family estate at Torrisdale on the Kintyre Peninsula alongside her husband Niall, and is a director of Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, where they make the award winning Kintyre Gin and other spirits. Join us as Emma shares her journey from Edinburgh to embracing the family legacy at Kintyre, including the challenges of living and working in a remote area, the opportunities they have capitalised on, and the pressures of being the current custodians of Torrisdale Castle. From buckets catching the drips in the roof space, to TV appearances with the likes of Nish Kumar and Josh Widdicombe, and even a police manhunt, life for Emma is never boring! Emma shares the importance of being involved with the local community, and the role they play in putting Kintyre on the map as a destination for slow tourism.  We also talk about the power of partnerships and people, and Emma’s daughters being the next generation of rural women in Scotland. Connect with Emma on social media - Instagram - @torrisdalecastle / @kintyregin // LinkedIn - Emma Macalister Hall // Website - https://www.kintyregin.com/Episode Recorded on Tuesday 31st October 2023. All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gael Wilkinson is the beekeeper behind Kin Bees with apiaries in Fife, Stirlingshire and West Lothian producing award winning raw honey. Gael spends most of her time in a bee suit and wellies in a field tending to her 50 hives, but this isn’t how it has always been.Join us as Gael shares her eclectic career from working in the world of live music with bands like U2 and Oasis, a stint in television before landing in the world of IT in the 90s. From here Gael shares her time running an import / export furniture business in the middle east and running a marketing and pr agency before stumbling upon the mesmerising world of bees and beekeeping where she has found a true passion. Through out the episode Gael’s formidable determination to succeed at what she puts her mind to shines through. Gael shares the joys of beekeeping alongside the challenges of it as a commercial operation. She shares the lows of being allergic to stings and the highs of catching swarms from castle rooftops and collaborating with fantastic businesses. We have a few more technical beekeeping moments and discuss the true taste of that fresh raw honey. Gael ‘s passion and enthusiasm is infectious with some brilliant advice for us all, especially the next generation.Connect with Gael and Kin Bees on social media - Instagram - @kinbees // LinkedIn - Gael Wilkinson // Facebook - Kin Bees // Website - https://kinbees.com/Chocolatia - Website - https://www.chocolatia.co.uk/ Episode Recorded on Saturday 14th October 2023All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Bowman is an Associate Director at Highland Rural – a small and relatively new firm of Rural Surveyors based in Dingwall Auction Mart. Originally from Edinburgh, Mary has lived in a variety of spectacular locations in the Highlands, working in different rural roles since she was 15, before settling on the Moray Coast. Join us Mary shares the journey from her rebellious decision to stay in Ardnamurchan to the sheer determination that has led her to where she is today, including working as a stalker and training hill ponies, to deciding to change career paths and go to university as a mature student. Despite some challenges along the way, Mary’s story demonstrates a fierce tenacity and inspirational drive to succeed, fueled by her unwavering love for rural Scotland. Connect with Mary on social media - LinkedIn - Mary Bowman // Instagram - @marybowman3 or @highlandrural Episode Recorded on Tuesday 3rd October 2023All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lynn Cassells is the co-owner of Lynbreck Croft, a 150 acre regenerative agriculture unit in the Cairngorms National Park. Alongside her partner Sandra, they have turned Lynbreck from a derelict crofting unit to a vibrant and diverse farming landholding where they grow their own food, produce beef, pork, eggs and honey for sale and run a range of tours and courses. Join us as Lynn shares her journey from life as an apprentice ranger to the rollercoaster she has been on since buying Lynbreck, and how it all sort of happened by accident! Lynn talks about her passion for farming with nature and being able to share that experience and knowledge with others, her love of food and its intrinsic connection to our physical and mental wellbeing, and the importance of prioritising rest. Lynn gives a brutally honest personal insight into the highs and lows of the last seven years, from what it was really like to write their book ‘Our Wild Farming Life’, to the sometimes harsh realities of farming and the challenges they have faced and overcome, how this changed her, and how she always trusts her gut. Connect with Lynn on social media - Instagram - @lynbreck_croft // Facebook - @lynbreckcroft // Website  - www.lynbreckcroft.co.uk Episode Recorded on Sunday 10th September 2023All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Warrender is a mum, wife, board member of Scottish Land & Estates, trustee of Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and partner in Minuntion & Pinclanty Farms - a hill farm and sporting estate in South Ayrshire.Join us as Laura shares her journey from working in television as a producer of arts and history documentaries, meeting her husband Jack, becoming a mum, returning to college and immersing herself in rural Scotland. Laura shares how the ongoing conservation work across the estate has inspired her alongside her desire to support more young people to connect with nature, rural skills and opportunities. Laura shares the challenges of branching into a new sector - being sat in meetings and not speaking the language of the farm, the power of allies, collaboration and working at a landscape scale along with how much she has gained from seeking advice and asking for input from those around her operating rural businesses across Scotland. Connect with Laura on social media - Instagram - @minuntion Episode Recorded on Monday 4th September 2023Sponsored by the landed estates and rural business team at Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants.All views expressed are our own Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helen Smith is a mum, wife, entrepreneur and owner of Byres Farm Venue - an event space and tourist attraction on the family farm in Moray.Join us as Helen shares her journey from growing up on a farm, stubbornly deciding to never marry a farmer, to marrying a farmer, becoming a Chartered Surveyor and then choosing entrepreneurship and flexibility after having her children, with the creation of her own business. Helen shares her passion for educating the public about farming, getting people out onto farms and providing opportunities for others in the rural sector. From her desire to “be mum” and be there for her children, Helen has created a varied business ranging from fairy, dinosaur and Santa trails / visits, to whisky tours sharing the start of the whisky process, alongside farm tours and a versatile events space. Helen shares how she has benefitted from community, her involvement with Scottish Agritourism, Moray Business Women and others, and the power of starting small. Connect with Helen on social media : Linked In - Helen Smith \\ Instagram - @byresfarm \\ Facebook - @byresfarmEpisode Recorded on Thursday 17th August 2023All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caitlin Erskine is the Forest Manager for Seafield and Strathspey Estates, having started working in forestry as a horse logging contractor in 2012. Join us as Caitlin shares her journey from being asked to help move some logs with her horse, to running her own horse logging contracting business, before working for Forestry & Land Scotland, studying for her HND and ultimately joining Seafield and Strathspey Estates in 2021, where she now manages 10,000ha of productive and native woodland across Moray, Aberdeenshire and the Cairngorms. Caitlin shares her passion for the outdoors, for supporting others working in the sector, working across the diverse range of estate activities and plenty more besides. We round off the episode with some brilliant advice from Caitlin, advice that her story through the episode demonstrates how she has followed it herself!Connect with Caitlin on Social Media : LinkedIn - Caitlin ErksineEpisode Recorded on Sunday 9th July 2023All views expressed are our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.