Rural Britain is a wonderful assortment of farms, estates, hamlets, villages, forests and moors, lochs and valleys. Our stunning scenery, close communities and wonderful rural businesses provide an idyllic lifestyle for many, but rural life can also throw up some pretty unique challenges.
The Rural Scene (the Scene & Herd rural blog and news updates) looks at what’s new, what’s relevant, what’s tasty, what’s fun and what’s challenging about life in the Great British Countryside. We offer an insider insight into rural Britain, highlighting some of the exceptional people, businesses and innovations we believe that everybody should know about.
At this time of year, lower light levels, unpredictable weather and less colour in the landscape can leave many people feeling tired and downbeat. In this special wellbeing edition, we look at ways to keep your energy levels up and to take care of your mental health.Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight. From October to March when light levels are lower, we need to rely on dietary sources (such as oily fish, eggs & fortified breakfast cereals) to maintain good bone and muscle health.Many people find light therapy useful in the darker months. Consider sitting in front of a lightbox for an hour or using a dawn-simulating alarm clock which gradually gets brighter and can be helpful if you find it hard to wake up on winter mornings.As tempting as it is to go into 'hibernation mode', it is really important that you get some exercise as it is a real mood booster and any activity is better than none. See some tips here.
READ MOREA farmhouse kitchen blether between Anna and three brilliant women, each with perspectives as women in agriculture. Amy Geddes is a 4th-generation farmer at Wester Braikie Farm near Arbroath. Aylett Roan farms alongside her husband at Barnbarrock farm in Dumfries and Galloway, and also runs a doorstep milk-delivery business. Lois Newton is an associate in the land and rural department at Gillespie Macandrew. We are grateful to Gillespie Macandrew for supporting this episode.
READ MOREYou either love them or you don’t, but we LOVE them! Smartphone apps help make life easier, smoother, more organised and, let’s face it, sometimes just more fun! Here’s a rundown of our top 5
READ MORETebay services and farm shop in Westmorland is a staple of many people's north-south car journeys, with food and facilities several cuts above most motorway stop-offs. Monty meets farm manager Bob Day and Tebay head of butchery David Morland, and follows the Tebay journey from farm to fork - a distance of about 3 miles door-to-door. Luing cattle are among the breeds favoured at Tebay - and this is the second of two OnFARM episodes produced with the Luing Cattle Society.Listen here: https://www.podfollow.com/onfarm/episode/e256cae7fab2ca8491ce8454a6fa0798b9d35e0d/view
READ MOREIn the first of two episodes supported by the Luing Cattle Society, Monty finds out more about the breed, its history, and how it is being used in a variety of farming systems. Guests: Luing Cattle Society chairman Neil McGowan, and Ettrick valley beef farmer Giles Henry.
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Anna Davies: Email: anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
Ross (Monty) Montague: Email: monty@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
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