If life is like a box of chocolates, then July has been a packet of liquorice allsorts! This month's weather has certainly kept us on our toes, from heatwaves to refreshing downpours! We hope you're staying resilient and thriving.
This month, we're celebrating Independent Retailers Month, a fantastic opportunity to supercharge your business. And if you're looking for a key ingredient to growth, look no further than online reviews. We can't stress enough their importance – they are often the first impression a potential customer has! (Remember the old Scottish proverb: 'Shy bairns dinnae get sweeties.' Don't be afraid to ask!)
You are the expert on your business. What if you had the strategic guidance and confidence to leverage that expertise online? At Scene & Herd, we empower you. Instead of traditional PR, we focus on mentoring and coaching, equipping you with the skills and strategies to manage your own marketing effectively. Think of us as your expert co-pilot, helping you navigate the digital landscape, ensuring you're doing things your way, but never feeling alone.
Let us help you nurture your online reputation, differentiate your brand, and give you a significant competitive advantage. Get in touch for an informal chat or book your dedicated Growth Hour slot today to start building that powerful online presence.
Rural Scotland Unpacked: Your Latest News & Opportunities
Welcome to our latest round-up, bringing you the essential news, events, and opportunities impacting rural Scotland. From environmental concerns to agricultural innovations and exciting new services, there's plenty to dive into!
Urgent Insights: Wildfires and Our Changing Climate
Expert Reaction to Scottish Wildfires: As Scotland faces an increasing number of wildfires, Professor Rory Hadden, Chair of Fire Science at the University of Edinburgh, warns that "It is widely expected that the number of wildfires will increase in Scotland (and the UK) as we see more periods of extreme weather driven by climate change." This stark reminder underscores the critical need for climate action and preparedness in our rural communities.
Potatoes in Practice 2025: Don't miss Scotland's largest field-based potato event! Join us on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at The James Hutton Institute, Balruddery Farm in Invergowrie (DD2 5LJ). The event will feature variety demonstrations, cutting-edge research, and a wide array of trade exhibits.
Festival of Politics: Croft Creation: Could crofting offer solutions to some of Scotland's most pressing challenges? Explore how creating new crofts might unlock vast potential for nature, climate resilience, food system stability, and population retention.
When & Where:Wednesday, August 20, at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh.
Crown Estate Scotland Seeks New Board Members: Here's a fantastic chance to shape Scotland's future! Five new individuals are being sought to join the Board of Crown Estate Scotland over the next year.
Chart the Future of Seafood: Join the Fish+ Panel! Fish, seafood, and seaweed are vital to our diet, yet often overlooked in broader food system discussions. Nourish Scotland and Seafood Scotland are seeking 15 diverse panellists – including producers, processors, health experts, social justice advocates, and interested public members – to help chart a sustainable path forward for Fish+ in Scotland.
Fungi for Cleaner Water: A New Initiative: Exciting research is underway to harness the power of fungi for advanced water filtration. The "Farming Futures - fungi for nutrient recovery" initiative aims to develop mycoremediation filters to combat diffuse agricultural pollution, which often contaminates water with fertilisers, pesticides, and animal waste.
New Service From Scene & Herd: Rural Mediation: When conversations hit a roadblock in rural businesses or families, mediation can help you find solutions. Scene & Herd now offers confidential mediation services, led by Gordon Davies, covering everything from partnership disagreements and succession planning to landlord/tenant issues and employment challenges.
Why Mediation? It provides a calm, respectful space to talk things through, focusing on practical, mutual solutions without blame or courtroom stress.
Get in Touch: Rebuild clear communication in your rural business. Contact anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk to learn more.
Recognise Excellence: Awards Season is Here!
Nominations and entries are now open for several prestigious awards. Don't miss your chance to celebrate outstanding achievements!
Boutique Hotelier Awards 2025: Nominations are open now for the awards which take place on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the five-star Royal Lancaster London hotel.
Marine Stewardship Council Awards: Celebrate outstanding achievements in sustainable fishing and responsible aquaculture across the UK seafood sector. Entries are open now!
Summer is in full swing, and your social media strategy should be too! August offers a vibrant mix of seasonal celebrations, important awareness days, and unique opportunities to connect with your audience. From agricultural highlights to nostalgic throwbacks, let's dive into how you can make your social channels sizzle next month.
All Month Long: Celebrate the Harvest
#YourHarvest: Embrace the spirit of the season by showcasing the incredible work of farmers during harvest. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses, celebrate local produce, or highlight the journey from farm to fork. Use the hashtag #YourHarvest to join the wider conversation and connect with a community passionate about agriculture.
Specific Dates to Mark in Your Calendar:
August 5th: Scottish Qualifications Results Day
This can be a pivotal day for many young people. Use your platform to offer encouragement and demonstrate that success comes in many forms. Share stories of individuals who've achieved great things via non-traditional paths. Highlight the diverse career journeys within Scotland and reinforce the positive message of #NoWrongPath.
August 7th - 8th (5 AM - 5 AM): 24 Hours in Farming (#Farm24)
Join the agricultural industry's biggest online event! This is a fantastic opportunity to give your audience a real-time look into your day, your team, or your involvement in the farming community. Share updates, photos, and videos throughout the 24-hour period using #Farm24.
August 8th: Scottish Wildcat Day
Shine a light on Scotland's "Highland Tiger." This day is perfect for raising awareness about conservation efforts, sharing fascinating facts about these elusive creatures, or promoting local wildlife initiatives if relevant to your brand.
August 9th: Oasis Play Murrayfield – A Blast from the Past!
Nostalgia Marketing Gold: If your brand has a history, this is your moment! Tap into the power of nostalgia by sharing throwbacks related to the iconic Oasis concert at Murrayfield. Think old packaging, retro point-of-sale materials, vintage staff photos (yes, even the haircuts!), or stories from that era. Instagram and TikTok are perfect for this visual storytelling.
August 19th: World Orangutan Day
This is a crucial day to highlight environmental responsibility. Educate your audience about the impact of palm oil and soy production on rainforests and orangutan habitats. More importantly, offer solutions! Promote local, sustainable, and ethically sourced alternatives that align with your brand's values, empowering your audience to make conscious choices.
Need a Hand with Your Strategy?
Feeling overwhelmed with content creation or need a fresh perspective on your social media strategy? Our Growth Hour slots offer tailored advice and practical tips for social media management.
Book your Growth Hour today – slots fill up quickly!
