Kim Watson is sitting astride a Highland pony on a hillside overlooking Balmoral estate, the castle at its heart. “In those moments, I think: ‘Pinch me,’” she says of the job she’s had since 2018, when she spotted an advert to look after the late Queen’s ponies. She first encountered the rare breed as a child, when her family moved to an estate on the west coast. Whenever the children were away, Kim and her twin sister learned to look after the pony. Today, Kim helps to look after Balmoral’s 18 Highland ponies, all of which are currently in training ...

NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund has been a cornerstone of support for local communities across Scotland since its launch in 2020. Aimed at empowering its network of agencies, the fund enables them to nominate local charities for financial assistance, helping to address the needs of communities hit hardest by challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant Impact on Scottish Communities In 2024 alone, the Agency Giving Fund allocated £1.92 million to over 300 charities across the UK, with Scottish organisations receiving a substantial share of the funds. A total of £188,500 was distributed to 34 local charities across Scotland, supporting ...

NFU Mutual is delighted to announce its continued sponsorship of the highly anticipated Scottish Game Fair, taking place from July 4-6, 2025, at the stunning Scone Palace in Perth. This prestigious event, known for its celebration of all things country life, wildlife, and outdoor pursuits, promises to be a highlight of the summer season, and we are proud to be a part of it once again. The Scottish Game Fair is one of the largest and most celebrated country events in the UK, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Scone Palace, it provides a ...

Crafting Exceptional Spaces for Countryside Living For those who embrace countryside living, Mozolowski & Murray is Scotland’s industry-leading name in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke glass and hardwood timber structures, doors and windows. Whether your vision leans towards timeless elegance or contemporary innovation, our designs perfectly complement any style of home, adding light, space, and enhancing countryside views. As proud sponsors of The Scottish Game Fair, we recognise the deep connection between quality and sustainability, while balancing heritage with modern rural living. Our designs seamlessly balance classic craftsmanship with modern innovation, creating spaces that enhance country homes, rural ...

Tom and Jim Gold train different dog breeds. Tom works with retrievers and Jim with spaniels. On the Friday of the Scottish Game Fair they will be judging in the All Age Competitions in their breed specialities. This is a first for The Scottish Game Fair and so we had a chat with Tom and Jim about their backgrounds, aims and hopes for the future. Q:  Can you tell us how you both got into gundogs? Tom: "We both got involved in the shooting world around the age of seven to eight-years-old. Jim is a year older but our dad took ...

This year’s cookery theatre is jointly sponsored by ESSE and Scottish Venison. ESSE’s stunning range cookers will take centre stage, as chefs presenting in the cookery theatre make use of two of the company’s energy-efficient electric models. One such presenter is Tim Maddams; chef, food writer, and cookery teacher, who works with ESSE to produce seasonal recipes at his home in Inverness using ingredients grown in his kitchen garden. ESSE first encountered Tim over ten years ago when he featured in the hit TV series River Cottage, regularly using ESSE’s iconic wood-burning Ironheart. During his time as River Cottage Head ...

This was the second British Fly Casting Club (BFCC) run fly casting competition at the Scottish Game Fair. However the Scottish GF Championship has been running since 1989 (according to the dates on the Trophy). Daily competitions were run with prizes on each of the three days. In addition, an overall Championship was held where entrants had to cast all three events (trout distance, trout accuracy and salmon distance) and were able to enter multiple times to improve their results over the three days. Many thanks to those who braved the weather and helped to run the competitions including the ...

Kevin Wilson with Dawnie from the Duke of Westminster’s Reay Forest Estate won and received an Isuzu DMax truck to use for six months. The area around the Main Arena at The Scottish Game Fair was packed with spectators as the winner of the Fred Taylor Hill Pony Memorial Awards was announced. Kevin Wilson with Dawnie from the Duke of Westminster’s Reay Forest Estate won and received an Isuzu DMax truck to use for six months. The Awards were judged by Sylvia Ormiston from the Gaick Highland Pony Stud   All photographs courtesy Sarah Farnsworth.    

Farm buildings aren’t what they used to be. Today they’re more likely to be housing holiday makers than horses, cows and pigs. You might have looked at a piece of your land or an outbuilding lying empty and wondered how you could turn it into money. How do you get started down the route of diversification, holiday cottages and lets? I talked to Katie Williams at Sykes Cottages who specialise in this area. What’s the situation now and how has it changed in the last few years? Changing times Katie said: “The way in which we take holidays is changing. Whereas ...

Gut health is a keen topic these days and according to ZOE research: "Fermented foods can benefit your health in a variety of ways, such as improving digestion and lowering your risk for certain diseases, like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Crucially, they promote a healthier and more diverse gut microbiome, the collection of microorganisms living in your gut." Join Amy Rankine, an expert forager and wild food specialist, for a hands-on fermentation workshop. In this session, you will learn the fundamentals of lacto-fermentation and create your own kraut-based ferment to take home. Book your place here.    View this post ...

2024 is a major milestone for Murray Beith Murray LLP, as we celebrate 175 years as ‘trusted advisors to generations’ of clients. Our leading boutique private client practice was established in 1849 by Andrew Murray and Donald Beith, later assuming George John Murray; and since then, the firm has specialised in meeting the legal, financial, and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies. Advising landowners and farmers has been at the core of the firm’s business since the start. Today, Murray Beith Murray has one of the most experienced specialist rural teams in Scotland, acting for ...

Mordor Gundogs, renowned for its expertise in training and showcasing exceptional gundogs, is set to make a triumphant return to the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Scottish Game Fair, which takes place from Friday 5 to Saturday 7 July at Scone Palace, Perthshire. Ahead of the show, we caught up with Charlie Thorburn, owner of Mordor Gundogs and Head Trainer, Ash Cunliffe for their top tips on training your dog to be as obedient as a gun dog. Led by an expert team, Mordor Gundogs offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in professional training for pet and working dogs ...

In a world where our homes have become more than just places to live, creating spaces that reflect our personal style, needs, and aspirations is more important than ever. Mozolowski & Murray, Scotland’s leading specialists in high-quality glass and hardwood structures, offers the perfect solution with their bespoke garden rooms. These aren’t just any additions to your home; they are tailor-made sanctuaries designed from concept to completion, with the option to integrate modern technologies like sound systems, lighting, and roof vents. Let’s explore the unique benefits of opting for a bespoke garden room or suite by Mozolowski & Murray. Tailored to ...

The Scottish Game Fair unveils expansive food and drink offering at summer event with celebrity studded chefs The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is set to heat up Perth’s food and drink scene this July (5-7) with an array of gourmet dishes and celebrity chef performances at Scone Palace, spotlighting a new buzzword – Weganism, veganism with a game twist. This renowned industry event will be shining a light on the benefits of wild-harvested meats, including the sustainability and conservation involved in the sourcing, the nutrition gained from lean game meat choices, and the incredible flavour ...

Do you know somebody who should be nominated? NFU Mutual and Scotland Food & Drink’s ‘Inspirational Young Person Award’ is now open The award shines a light on talented youngsters within the industry Nominations will close on July 12 Nature's larder Scotland is bursting with the best locally grown food and drink. NFU celebrate this bounty and encourage budding food and drink stars by holding the NFU Mutual’s ‘Inspirational Young Person Award’. Nominations are now. The award, launched by the commercial insurer in partnership with industry leadership body Scotland Food & Drink, is now entering its sixth year and aims to uncover ...