Blether Together with Farmstrong Scotland

Have you ever met a gin farmer? That's how Jenny McKerr of the Wee Farm Distillery introduces herself.

This episode is Jenny's story of how she and her husband Stephen have spent the last 10 years building up their business - a farm, a farm shop, and a distillery - as first-generation farmers on 45 acres in South Lanarkshire.

It's been a lot of work - but Jenny is also careful to prioritise family time, and says she always gets off farm when she needs to.

In 2026, she is a proud recipient of the very...

This episode is packed with info about Farmstrong Scotland's 'Foundations of Mental Health' programme - a direct response to findings from our recent surveys.

More than one in three respondents reported low levels of wellbeing - with scores falling below the national average across all age groups.

'Foundations of Mental Strength' - or FoMS - is a series of workshops designed to combat low wellbeing - and can be run by groups and organisations as a special day, or included in a package of other ongoing activities.

Huge thanks to both The Scottish...

Bobby Stevenson took the difficult decision to sell his family dairy farm after facing a mental health crisis.

Bobby, from Lendalfoot in South Ayrshire, tells Sarah Stephen about his journey back from both a stroke and mental ill health - and how talking and sharing openly about his issues has helped his recovery.

How’s It Going?

Take a moment for yourself: try Farmstrong Scotland’s How’s It Going? tool. Answer eight simple questions and get access to resources tailored to support you.

Farmstrong Scotland helps farmers, crofters and their famili...

Sarah finds warmth on ice - and plenty of competition! - at the annual farmer's curling competition at Perth's Dewar Centre.

160 people from all over Scotland take part in the Chuck Hay Memorial Bonspiel, in teams of 4, over three days in January.

There is camaraderie and connection - which is especially important in the bleak dark month of January, when isolation can feel particularly pronounced.

In this episode:

Tommy Dale must have more hours in each day than the rest of us.

He's run Forth Resource Management and Caledonian Horticulture since 2002, when he started both as an SRUC student project to recycle, compost and re-use garden and landscaping waste.

He heads up Brose oat milk, works with Heriot-Watt University and others to run a lobster hatchery, and has a mission to clear plastic from Scotland's beaches, Scottish Coastal Clean Up.

And there's plenty more charity and social enterprise work beside all that!

He’s also been very generous in th...

This is a groundbreaking episode of Blether Together - as Sarah Stephen meets our first ever husband and wife duo – Willie Thomson and Anna Davies.

Anna and Willie are tenants on a 250-acre arable farm near Haddington.

They recently converted a steading into co-working spaces. Anna also runs rural PR and marketing firm Scene and Herd, and hosts Scottish farming podcast OnFARM.

It’s a busy life – but recent health challenges for Willie have prompted a change in pace and approach.

How’s It Going?

Take a moment for yourself...

Being involved in Young Farmers - SAYFC - is fun, empowering, and a vital social connection for younger people across rural Scotland.

In this special Blether Together, recorded with a live audience at AgriScot, Sarah Stephen speaks with Jack Young, a current young farmer, and Catriona Gemmell, who recently aged out of being part of SAYFC.

Together, they consider the part SAYFC plays in wellbeing in rural Scotland - and how to keep social connections going when the dreaded day comes that you are too old to be part of Young Farmers!

Also...

Firm friends Robert Neill and John MacInnes join Sarah Stephen to Blether Together about the joys and pressures of their working lives, whether running AgriScot, Robert’s newer role as NFUS Vice President, or on their family farms in Kelso and Iona.

Both men share how they’re helping smooth the path into farming for the next generation -recognising when to step back, give younger voices room to grow, and trust them to make their own mark on the business.

There’s also chat about how island life isn’t necessarily isolated. On Iona, John has a cl...

Marking World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2025

A true Scottish agriculture powerhouse, Caroline Millar joins Sarah Stephen for a special bonus episode of Blether Together, to mark World Mental Health Day.

Caroline opens up about the warning signs that made her realise it was time to prioritise her wellbeing, and how inspiration from New Zealand's approach to farming life led her to make lasting changes.

In this candid chat, Caroline also shares the practical steps she's taken to build a healthier, more balanced life - for herself, her family, and the people...

Thankfully, menopause is far less 'taboo' as a topic than it used to be.

But there is still so much to do, to make sure that women experiencing menopause, and those around them, understand what is happening and what it means for health, wellbeing,and relationships.

Dr Heather Currie MBE is a specialist gynaecologist and renowned menopause expert (and breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle!) from Dumfries and Galloway. She joins Sarah for this month's Blether Together.

Thanks also to crofter Sally Crowe and Caithness, and Lesley Mitchell who farms near Hawick, for sharing...

James Logan, Chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) and East Lothian farmer, joins host Sarah Stephen to talk about:

- navigating the challenges of farm succession

- managing the leadership and responsibility of the Royal Highland Show

- why agricultural shows are so important for bringing people and communities together.

It’s an honest and open blether about farming life, leadership, and the importance of finding time for connections... with some top wellbeing tips from 'Granny Warnock from Biggar' as well.

In our latest podcast, host Sarah Stephen met with Gerard Vaughan, Programme Director for Farmstrong in New Zealand, at opposite ends of the day as the sun was rising with Gerard and setting with Sarah. 

A warm and insightful chat on what inspired the start of the Farmstrong programme 10 years ago, what makes the Farmstrong principles different, and finishing off with some useful tips and ideas from Gerard on the small steps we can take to introduce good habits for our wellbeing, including 'catch it, check it, change it' - a technique used to challenge negative or u...

In a first for Blether Together, we are joined by not one but two guests for a lively, warm and open conversation.

Host Sarah Stephen met with Russ Mill and Glen McLellan to find out more about the annual Come Ashore Cup, taking place on Saturday 7th June at Orkney Rugby Club.

The event was set up in 2022 by Russ, in memory of his cousin and popular Caithness farmer Alexander Mill who sadly died by suicide in 2021. Tune in to hear Sarah, Russ and Glen discuss just how important social events like this one are...

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we're excited to share a brand new podcast episode featuring someone who embodies what Farmstrong's Five Ways to Wellbeing are all about.

In this powerful episode, host Sarah Stephen chats with Wallace Currie, a 28-year-old farmer’s son, who shares his journey of resilience, vulnerability, and growth. Wallace shares how creating his own podcast Rural2Kitchen, supporting the Young Farmers, taking notice of the world around him, and embracing continuous learning have become the cornerstones of his approach to wellbeing.

Fresh from completing a daring abseiling challenge to raise awareness and funds for Fa...

In this bonus episode of Blether Together, Rebecca Dawes talks to Kirsty Ritchie of Mind & Mission where she explains more on the twelve different ways of thinking, how our mindsets are influenced, and how we can change the way we think to give us a more positive outlook on life. 

How you think is how you feel! Listen in to find out what kind of thinker you are, and for tips on the ways you could improve your mindset by adapting your thinking.

Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families t...

In this bonus episode of Blether Together, to tie in with Stress Awareness Month, host Sarah Stephen met with Dr Heather Meikle, Senior Counselling Psychologist at First Psychology and Wellbeing Advisor at Farmstrong Scotland, to discuss tips on combatting stress - especially important at busy times of year such as lambing and calving.

From our research, farmers and crofters across Scotland have told us that stress is something they'd like to be able to handle better. In response to this, with the help of our psychology expert Heather we have created some detailed resources on how we...

When Callum and his wife Zara moved to the Isle of Arran to start farming in their own right back in 2023, they imagined the hardest bit would be adjusting to island life in a new community. Five months after they moved, Callum sustained life-changing injuries in an ATV accident.

In this podcast episode, Blether Together host Sarah Stephen caught up with Callum to find out how he and his family have worked through the upheaval of the accident, and the tools Callum has used to stay positive despite his challenging recovery…

Farmstrong Scotland is an in...

In this bonus episode of Blether Together, to tie in with World Sleep Day 2025 - 'Make Sleep Health a Priority' host Sarah Stephen met with Alyson O'Brien, Head of Sleep Action to discuss tips on getting a better nights sleep, especially important  at busy times of year such as lambing and calving.

From our research, farmers and crofters across Scotland have told us that getting the right amount of good quality sleep can be challenging. In response to this, with the help of our sleep expert Alyson we have created some detailed resources on how we can a...

Michael Goldie is a fifth generation farmer and breeds pedigree Suffolk sheep along with his mum Helen, who started breeding the flock 60 years ago. Michael also works as an agent for NFU Mutual and NFU Scotland, which is where he believes part of his resilience and recovery strategy came from when, earlier this year, his flock was unfortunately hit with the Schmallenberg Virus resulting in him losing around 70% of his lamb crop. 

Michael discusses with host Sarah Stephen, how he dealt with the situation physically and mentally, and how making a plan of recovery early on has h...

Listen to the recording of the last in our winter webinar series, Give Wellbeing a Sporting Chance, when we speak to Scottish rugby sensation, Stafford McDowall. 

Stafford had his name down to study agriculture at Newcastle University as an 18-year-old, but he deferred the place while he tried to break into the professional rugby ranks, juggling training sessions with farm jobs. 

The chance to make rugby his livelihood did come knocking during that gap year out and Stafford headed for the bright lights of Glasgow and a life away from the family farm which stands a...

In this episode of Blether Together, host Sarah Stephen caught up with Rob Wainwright OBE before he sets off on Doddie's Grand Tour 2025 - an 800-mile charity cycle from Dublin to Edinburgh to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

Rob relocated to the Isle of Coll in the 90's to farm with his family after his rugby career as a Scotland international came to an end. Listen in to the podcast to find out more about island farming, Rob's passion for looking after his wellbeing, and raising money for charities close to his heart.

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Host Sarah Stephen caught up with Iona Murray; one half of Fed by Farmers and no stranger to podcasting, she’s on the other side of the interview this time, answering the questions instead of asking them! 

Iona tells us about her career, which spans being a school teacher, going to work at Dumfries House, working with Cammy Wilson at The Sheep Game, and now adding starting her own business I'M Wellness to her list of achievements, where she is a holistic health and wellness practitioner. Iona also discusses going through a tough time during the...

Our special Christmas bonus recording is with the one and only Jim Smith! You don’t have to be a teuchter to enjoy this, it’s got something for everyone. 

Jim tells Sarah about his farming background, how going to Young Farmers helped on his journey to becoming a stand-up comedian and the reason he regularly takes time out to go to the cinema or out for dinner with friends. Listen to the end for Jim’s hilarious impressions of some very well-known voices! Jim also gives some great, simple wellbeing improvement tips, a listen that's...

Host Sarah Stephen talks with Cora Cooper on her journey from law graduate to partner in a farming business in Muirkirk, Ayr. Working as a team with her husband and three young children, Cora discusses their farming system of 3,500 hill ewes on over 5,000 acres of hill ground, and their passion for delivering for both nature and food production.

Cora and David have built their business around their family, and Cora talks about the priorities, the challenges to get where they are and the wellbeing routine that she has implemented to make her day a bit less hectic.<...

Listen in to the recording of our first webinar in the new series, Give Wellbeing a Sporting Chance, with Sam Whitelock.

Farmstrong Chairman John Scott welcomes Sam Whitelock, farmer and New Zealand rugby player.

As well as giving some insights to his impressive rugby career, Sam also gives an open and honest account of life on the farm and in particular the challenges the family faced when they suffered an outbreak of Salmonella. 

He speaks about how this affected both their business and wellbeing, and how it led to him getting involved in F...

Scottish rugby player Stafford McDowall has thrown his not insignificant 6ft 4 inches might behind Farmstrong Scotland, and talks with host, Sarah Stephen, on the succession planning that's underway for his farming future.

Stafford had his name down to study agriculture at Newcastle University as an 18-year-old, but he deferred the place while he tried to break into the professional rugby ranks, juggling training sessions with farm jobs. 

Of course, with luck on his side, that won’t be for a long while yet. After all, Stafford is still only 26 and is playing the best rugby of...

In this episode we talk to Isla Mackenzie – raised on a dairy farm on the Isle of Lewis and now working perfecting parts for the cars that Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton and George Russell drive at Grand Prix around the world for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS. 

Host Sarah Stephen finds out more about what farming and F1 have in common and Isla’s career in motorsport, including her own journey to get behind the wheel and race.

Isla tells us about the barriers she’s faced and how wellbeing plays a vital part in ensuring she is mental...

In the latest episode of Blether Together, kindly supported by The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, host Sarah Stephen talks with Michael Blanche on his journey to becoming a first-generation farmer, and how he stayed tenacious and resilient through the knock-backs and challenges. 

It all started in 2003 when Michael went to buy ten sheep but returned with 50, purchased on a credit card so in his own words he actually started with nothing. Over the years he rented 150 acres over seven holdings, all on short-term lets, whilst trying to secure his own tenancy. After seven attempts, this was finally p...

Rory Christie is a partner in the Dourie Farming Company Ltd., a dairy and piggery business that he runs with his brother Gregor in Wigtownshire, Southwest Scotland. Rory, founder of the co-operative The Milk Suppliers Association (MSA), oversees the dairy farm where 1100 dairy cows calve in February and March each year and spend the majority of the year outside. Gregor takes care of the pig side of the operation which is an indoor Danish-like system. 

A family business started by their grandfather and now stretching 70 years in operation, there have been many ups and downs over those y...

In the first episode, Sarah meets up with fourth-generation farmer John Scott, who farms at Fearn Farm, with his wife Fiona and their four children. The family’s mixed enterprise includes 3,500 breeding ewes, 250 beef cattle, renewables, malted barley, meat boxes and holiday cottages. 

Many will know John as the chairman of Farmstrong Scotland but what we delve into in the podcast is why he is personally so passionate to get the movement set up. During this first blether, you join a very honest discussion of the ups and downs of John's farming life. 

Farmstrong Scotland is a...