Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Reducing carbon emissions is becoming an increasingly important consideration for upland and hill farmers across Scotland. As climate targets, evolving support schemes and market expectations continue to shape the future of agriculture, farmers are being asked not only to produce food from some of the country’s most challenging landscapes, but to do so in ways that recognise and enhance their role in climate mitigation. In these extensive systems, decisions around livestock management, soils, grassland and habitats all influence a farm’s overall carbon footprint and long-term resilience.

Upland and hill farms are often characterised by low inputs, permanent pasture and semi-natural habitats, meaning they already deliver significant environmental value. However, understanding where emissions arise — and where carbon can be stored — is key to making informed, practical changes. From improving animal efficiency and grazing management to protecting peatland and making targeted investments, there are opportunities for farmers to reduce emissions while strengthening business performance.

In this episode, we sit down with Senior Consultant and Lead on the Carbon Dynamics Knowledge Network, James Orr from SAC Consulting to explore what carbon reduction really looks like in upland and hill farming systems. James shares his perspective on the actions farmers can take now, the investments most likely to deliver benefits, and how measuring and understanding carbon footprints can support better decision-making. He also speaks passionately about the impacts of peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange and together, we discuss how hill farmers can work with their land, build resilience into their businesses, and ensure they are recognised as a vital part of Scotland’s climate solution.

Want to get in touch with James? You can get a hold of him via telephone on 01292 525010 or by email at james.orr@sac.co.uk.

Related FAS Resources

Rural Roundup - 1. Unsung Heroes – Littleton Farm - Biodiversity (Weeds) | FAS

Rural Roundup - 2. Unsung Heroes - Temples Farm – Data (Genomics) | FAS

Rural Roundup - 3. Unsung Heroes – Park Farm - Dairy Technology (Robots & Solar PV) | FAS

Rural Roundup - 4. Unsung Heroes – Birks Farm - Efficiency (Calving at Two) | FAS

Rural Roundup - 5. Unsung Heroes – Haggs Farm – Machinery (Slurry Separator) | FAS

Rural Roundup - 6. Unsung Heroes - Agriculture’s Position in the Climate Change Conversation | FAS

FAS Connect | Helping farmers in Scotland

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Cattle wintering is an unavoidable and hugely important aspect of livestock management in Scotland. Whether stock are housed in traditional courts or managed outdoors on forage crops, wintering systems sit at the heart of animal performance, farm workload and long-term land stewardship. These decisions are not only about keeping cattle fed and sheltered; they influence soil structure, nutrient use, biodiversity and business resilience in a climate where winters can be long, wet and increasingly unpredictable.

In-wintering cattle offers farmers greater control over nutrition, health management, and environmental conditions. Housing cattle can reduce exposure to harsh weather, support targeted feeding strategies, and make it easier to monitor body condition and wellbeing, particularly in youngstock or higher-value animals. For many farms, in-wintering also helps protect vulnerable soils, reducing poaching and allowing fields to rest during the wetter months.

Out-wintering, whether on deferred grass, forage crops, or purpose-designed out-wintering pads, comes with its own advantages. Lower housing and machinery costs, reduced slurry handling, and the potential for improved cow fitness are significant attractions. Many farmers also value the labour efficiencies of out-wintering systems. When well-managed and matched to land capability, out-wintering can help reduce input costs and support more nature-friendly grazing practices — though careful attention to ground conditions, shelter and welfare is essential.

In this episode, we sit down with Beef and Sheep Specialist, Lorna Shaw for a broad discussion on the options available to farmers and crofters while considering whether to in or out-winter cattle and how to balance key management considerations, like land capability, infrastructure and performance targets. At the same time we'll cover how best to work with the landscape, protect from environmental damage and blend practicality with innovation and sustainable land management.

Want to get in touch with Lorna? You can get a hold of her via telephone on 01738 505069 or by email at lorna.shaw@sac.co.uk.

Related Resources

Stock Talk - James Biggar & Lorna Galloway | FAS

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Organic farming is woven through Scotland’s landscapes, from the rolling fields of Aberdeenshire to the upland pastures of Argyll. Rooted in principles of soil health, biodiversity and local resilience, organic systems work with nature rather than against it—building fertility through crop rotations, clover leys and composts, and managing pests with balance instead of chemicals. The result is more than just food without synthetic inputs; it’s a way of farming that supports wildlife, protects water and strengthens rural communities. From certified producers under the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) to advisory work led by the Soil Association, organic farming in Scotland continues to evolve, combining tradition, innovation and environmental stewardship to meet the challenges of modern agriculture.

In this episode, we sit down with two special guest speakers, Debs Roberts joins us from SOPA and David MacKay joins us from the Soil Association to walk us through the benefits of going organic, the process and how the market is developing in Scotland and further afield - in a conversation that is more collaboration than clash of the titans. We also talk about the announced return of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and David reflects on his time at Scotland's first Nature Friendly Farming Summit.

Want to get in touch with Debs or David? Contact SOPA via telephone at 0300 7729795 or email at info@sopa.org.uk. Contact Soil Association via telephone at 0131 3708150 or email at contact@soilassociation.org.

Related FAS Resources

Organics Discussion Group from the Farm Advisory Service

Related Other Resources

Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA)

Soil Association

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Bats are a defining—if often unseen—part of Scotland’s working landscapes. From the edges of upland pasture to lowland hedgerows, shelterbelts and farm ponds, these nocturnal insect-eaters weave through dusk and darkness, helping to regulate moths, midges and beetles while signalling the health of our wider environment. Species like the common and soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat and Daubenton’s bat use farms for roosting, commuting and feeding, linking woodlands, water and field margins into living networks. Yet changes in building use, loss of hedgerows, brighter yard lighting and reduced insect abundance can make life harder for these protected mammals and the benefits they bring.

In this episode, ecologist and environmental consultant Harry Fisher from SAC Consulting Ltd walks us through practical, farm-ready actions: keeping and restoring hedgerows as flight corridors; creating or managing ponds and wetlands; planning yard lighting to reduce glare and skyglow; timing roofing and renovation work to protect roosts; and planning activities through the calendar year. We’ll also look at simple additions like bat boxes, how to spot signs of bat activity, where to find advice, and how agri-environment options and local projects can help with costs and guidance.

Want to get in touch with Harry? Contact him via telephone at 01292 525090 for advice on surveys, roost considerations during building works, and habitat improvements suited to your farm.

Related FAS Resources

Bats and Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland

Other Related Resources

Home - Bat Conservation Trust

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

The water environment is one of the defining features of the Scottish landscape, shaping both its character and its ecological richness. Rivers, lochs, wetlands and coastal waters weave through glens and straths, carving valleys, feeding fertile soils and sustaining a remarkable variety of wildlife. They provide vital habitats for species such as salmon, trout and eels, which have long been part of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage, while also supporting birds, mammals and plants that thrive in and around freshwater. But historic practices meant to improve productive activity and improve our management of water has proven detrimental some species, obstructive them from travel up and downstream, meaning that overtime, our rivers have become less dynamic and alive. In this episode Struan Candlish from the Ayrshire Rivers Trust talks us through the actions needed to restore our rivers and the benefits and incentives for farmers, crofters and land managers.

Want to get in touch with Struan? He can be contacted at Ayrshire Rivers Trust via email enquiries at struan@ayrshireriverstrust.org.

Related FAS Resources

Scotland's Priority Catchments | Helping farmers in Scotland

Alternative watering for field grazed livestock | Helping farmers in Scotland

Water Margins | Helping farmers in Scotland

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Scotland’s upland farms and crofts are home to hardy cattle and sheep breeds, producing high-quality meat and supporting rural communities in some of our most challenging environments. Yet, feeding and nutrition in these landscapes can be complex, with variable forage quality, harsh weather and limited grazing options influencing livestock health, fertility and productivity. Getting nutrition right is key to maintaining body condition, improving breeding success and ensuring the long-term sustainability of hill farming systems. In this episode Dr Cara Campbell from SAC Consulting Ltd discusses the fundamentals of upland nutrition for cattle and sheep, and offers practical advice on feeding strategies around bulling and tupping to help farmers achieve the best results for their herds and flocks.

Want to get in touch with Cara? She can be contacted at SAC Consulting Ltd via email enquiries at cara.campbell@sac.co.uk.

Related FAS Resources

Beef Nutrition:

https://www.fas.scot/livestock/beef-cattle/beef-nutrition/

Sheep Nutrition:

https://www.fas.scot/livestock/sheep/nutrition/

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Often overlooked and easily mistaken for its more common relatives, the Northern Brown Argus butterfly is a small but significant species found in parts of Scotland. Closely tied to very specific habitats and entirely dependent on the rock rose plant for survival, its presence is a clear indicator of healthy, species-rich grassland. In this episode Harry Fisher, host of the Natural Capital Podcast sheds light on the efforts to protect this elusive butterfly, we explore the unique ecology of the Northern Brown Argus, why it matters, and what its story tells us about biodiversity, land use, and conservation challenges in Scotland — and why saving a single species can sometimes mean saving a landscape.

Want to get in touch with Harry? He can be contacted at SAC Consulting Ltd via email enquiries at harry.fisher@sac.co.uk.

Related FAS Resources

Technical Note (TN712): Land Management for Butterflies

Monitoring Pollinators On Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

In this episode outreach adviser Charlie Owen from the Woodland Trust discusses the MOREwoods scheme set up by the Woodland Trust. The scheme is there to allow land owners to access partial funding and advice which may will lead to planting trees on their land. Set up in 2010 the MOREwoods Scheme has supported 3000 landowners achieve their goal of planting more trees.

Feeling inspired and want more info please visit the Woodland trust website and head to the Plant trees section to find out more. Plant Trees on Your Land with MOREwoods - Woodland Trust

Related FAS Resources

Farm Woodland resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

Other Related Resources

Plant Trees on Your Land with MOREwoods - Woodland Trust