Thrill Of The Hill

Hosted by Farm Advisory Service

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Oct 2026

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This is a podcast about hill farming in Scotland, brought to you by the Scottish Farm Advisory Service. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.

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October 1, 202632 min

Policy Pathfinder: Farming for a Better Climate

Before FAS, Farming for a Better Climate helped put practical climate action firmly on the agenda for Scottish agriculture. At its heart was a focus on practical change. The programme encouraged farmers and crofters to look at areas including energy and fuel use, renewable energy, soil carbon, fertiliser and manure management and livestock efficiency. Rather than approaching climate change as an issue separate from everyday farm management, Farming for a Better Climate sought to demonstrate where better use of resources could reduce costs, strengthen the business and lower emissions at the same time. In this episode Rebecca Audsley joins Alex to look back over the life of Farming for a Better Climate and consider its impacts. More than fifteen years on from the programme's beginnings, they also consider what comes next. This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond. Timestamps 01.35 Introducing Rebecca Audsley 02.37 Where are we in terms of climate change, landscape management and lower carbon farming 05.42 Farming For a Better Climate (FFBC) initiative 08.37 Where did FFBC operate across the country & 5 key action areas 12.53 FFBC outputs and learning from others 14.48 A Policy Pathfinder 17.10 Emission reductions and associated financial benefits 19.17 What problem did FFBC identify that is less of an issue now 22.22 A good healthy soil – PLANT YOUR PANTS! Climate change: are we moving in the right direction? Farming & Water Scotland 30.14 Getting in touch & what's next for Rebecca Resources Farming For a Better Climate Scottish Forestry Integrating Trees Network Farming & Water Scotland Climate Smart Advisors Climate Week | Net Zero Nation Previous episode of interest: Thrill Of The Hill - Climate Change Catch up with Seamus Murphy Previous episode of interest: Thrill Of The Hill - COP26 One Year On Get in touch with Rebecca Rebecca.Audsley@sac.co.uk Get in touch with the show advice@fas.scot For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

September 17, 202635 min

Organic Outlook: Planning for Conversion

Organic farming in Scotland is entering a period of renewed growth. The latest Scottish Government statistics show that, in 2025, 168,200 hectares of Scottish agricultural land were either fully organic or undergoing conversion — an increase of 28% on 2024 and 62% since 2021. Of this, 115,800 hectares were fully organic, while 52,400 hectares were in conversion, around double the area recorded the previous year. Organic and in-conversion land now accounts for 3.3% of Scotland’s agricultural area. For businesses considering making the change, organic conversion is about considerably more than simply replacing conventional inputs. The conversion period provides an opportunity to examine the whole farming system — including rotations, soil fertility, nutrient management, grass and clover production, livestock management, markets and the financial implications of operating within organic standards. A well-developed conversion plan is central to understanding whether organic farming is both practically achievable and financially sustainable for an individual business. In this episode of Thrill of the Hill, we are joined by Ewan Johnston, Principal Consultant with SAC Consulting and the Farm Advisory Service Topic Lead for Organics. Based at Thainstone in Aberdeenshire, Ewan has more than 25 years of agricultural consultancy experience, having worked in Shetland and Moray before moving to the North East. His career has given him experience across a broad range of Scottish farming systems, from crofting, hill and upland livestock enterprises through to intensive lowland arable businesses. Growing demand for organic advice led Ewan to complete an MSc in Organic Farming, and he has since developed particular expertise in organic production, soil and nutrient management, grassland and clover-based systems, alongside wider crop, livestock and farm business management. He is BASIS, FACTS and FBAASS accredited, sits on the Scottish Organic Producers Association technical advisory committee and teaches organic farming to students at SRUC. As FAS Topic Lead for Organics, Ewan is also working to broaden the conversation beyond farms already committed to certification, looking at how principles and practices associated with organic farming can be integrated into conventional and regenerative systems. In this episode, we discuss what farmers and crofters need to consider before beginning an organic conversion, what goes into preparing an organic conversion plan, where the potential opportunities and challenges lie, and why planning the farming system as a whole is so important before taking the first step towards certification. This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond. Timestamps 00.57 Introducing Ewan Johnston 03.26 Where are we at now in Scotland with organic conversions 04.19 What goes into the organic conversion plan 08.14 The conversion plan is a live document 09.50 Timeline for the conversion process 11.18 Standard conversion and simultaneous conversion 12.58 Be clear in your own mind why you want to go organic 14.35 Information to include in a conversion plan 18.00 How should seasonal grazing be viewed 18.50 Partial conversion & parallel production 20.55 Nutrient management 24.06 Stocking rates and forage demand 25.40 Dispelling the myth – animal health in organic systems 28.10 Record keeping 31.06 Common mistakes in conversion plans 33.45 Ewan's take home message Resources Access a range of FAS Organic information and guides here Organic Information | Helping farmers in Scotland Rural Payments and Services: Organic Farming: Conversion Soil Association Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) Get in touch with Ewan Ewan.Johnston@sac.co.uk Get in touch with the show advice@fas.scot For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

August 20, 202648 min

Beyond the Hedgerow: Biodiversity Auditing in Scotland

Biodiversity auditing has become part of the Scottish Governments Whole Farm Plan and discussions around nature conservation are becoming commonplace around the farm table. In today’s episode Alex is joined by senior ecologist Dr Lorna Cole for a broad discussion on the state of Scotlands Nature and where biodiversity auditing fits into the bigger ambitions for nature restoration. Lorna also puts Alex in the hot seat to talk about levels of farmer agreement with habitat classifications. This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond. Timestamps 01.48 Introducing Dr Lorna Cole 02.36 Current state of nature in Scotland 07.19 How significant is agricultural land in combating biodiversity decline 13.24 Biodiversity auditing 19.40 Completing your habitat map 23.54 Alex – level of agreement between farmers and consultants in regard to habitat identification for the Whole Farm Plan 29.37 NatureScot Farm Biodiversity Scotland App 34.30 Submitting your biodiversity audit 36.28 Biodiversity audit – where to start 40.22 The value in Biodiversity Auditing 43.05 An opportunity to demonstrate the contribution agriculture is already making to nature 44.15 Lorna’s take home message Resources State of Nature Scotland - 2023 report NatureScot - biodiversity app Whole Farm Plan full guidance Events | Farm Advisory Service Improving Biodiversity on Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland Increasing Biodiversity to Build Resilient Farms | Helping farmers in Scotland Using technology to record biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland Lorna.Cole@sac.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

July 16, 202644 min

Beef, Business and Beyond

The beef industry in Scotland is resilient and adaptable, whether it’s changing markets and cost of production pressures, policy developments or the new entrant bottleneck. To help us navigate these topics and many more, today we are joined by Senior Beef Specialist Gavin Hill to discuss the outlook for the beef sector. This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond. Timestamps 01.48 Introducing Gavin Hill 02.58 What’s topical in the beef sector at the moment 10.57 Factors impacting price movements 15.32 Impact of international conflicts on the industry 16.36 Policy and regulatory changes 19.11 Outlook for cattle numbers 25.00 Labour 27.55 The world situation can change all the time 29.50 Scotch Beef is a unique product 31.40 Farmers responding to environmental policy 34.18 Outlook for the industry, short and longer term 36.47 Risks that we should be prepared for 39.38 Opportunities for the sector 41.20 Gavins take home message Resources Livestock resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service Thrill Of The Hill RSS Feed (Virtually Stock Proof 21.10.22, Virtual fencing 24.09.20) Gavin.Hill@sac.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

June 18, 202648 min

Where Waders Wander

Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. Today we're talking about one of Scotland's most iconic groups of farmland birds – our waders. Species such as lapwing, curlew, redshank and snipe have long been part of the Scottish farming landscape. Their calls and displays are synonymous with springtime on farms and crofts across the country, yet many of these species have experienced significant declines over recent decades. Toby Wilson from RSPB Scotland joins us to discuss what is driving these changes, what practical management can help reverse them, and how current funding schemes can support farmers and crofters who want to make space for nature alongside productive agriculture. Timestamps 01.17 Introducing Toby Wilson (RSPB Senior Conservation Officer) 02.43 How agricultural landscapes fit into wider wildlife conservation 04.23 The importance of farmers and crofters for delivering nature conservation outcomes 06.44 Farm Wildlife Walks 10.02 The Forth Estuary 15.18 Habitat value of coastal marshland for waders 16.55 The importance of a supporting mosaic of habitats 19.24 Wader numbers in Scotland and some of the main pressures affecting waders 25.55 Habitat connectivity specifically for waders 29.22 What gives Toby hope 33.51 Nature Scot – Nature Restoration Fund 41.50 The future for waders in Scotland 44.34 Toby’s take home messages Resources RSPB Scotland Working for Waders Making a difference for waders in the Cairngorms Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot New strongholds for wader recovery proposed | NatureScot Agri-Environment Climate Scheme Farm Wildlife Walks 2026 | Helping farmers in Scotland toby.wilson@rspb.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

May 21, 202646 min

A Damming Conclusion? Part III

Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. This is the third and final episode in our series exploring beaver reintroduction in Scotland. Across the last two episodes, we’ve looked at the challenges, concerns, and practical realities beavers bring to land management. Today, we’re joined by farmer and rewilding advocate Tom Bowser from Lerrocks farm and we’ll be focusing on the other side of the story — the ecological case for beavers, the benefits they can bring, and what a future with more beavers in Scotland might look like. Timestamps 02.28 Introducing Tom Bowser 07.28 Why are beavers worth having back in Scotland? 08.36 Beavers: ecosystem engineers and keystone species 12.40 Beavers, the most controversial animal that we have at the moment? 14.10 Practical benefits of beavers 22.03 Biodiversity and hairy bottomed handstands! 27.23 Balancing the benefits with the challenges 32.49 NatureScot beaver team and available assistance 37.04 Where are we likely to see beavers in the future? 43.08 Food production and nature restoration, not always opposing forces FAS Resources Thrill of the Hill Episode 12: A Damming Conclusion? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a1a41750-26db-4341-8783-2aa9443a34c3 Thrill of the Hill Episode 2: A Damming Conclusion? Part II https://player.captivate.fm/episode/34096505-af92-46c9-8a66-6ee445383126 FAS - Rewilding Beavers FAS Farm Wildlife Walk Other Related Resources Argaty Red Kites – Rewilding Experiences in the Heart of Scotland Tom Bowser – Nature Writer, Journalist, Public Speaker Beavers in Scotland | NatureScot For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

February 19, 202635 min

Where Policy Meets Pasture - The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme with David Brown

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. At Scotland's First Nature Friendly Farming Summit, Minister Jim Fairlie announced the return of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme for a 2026 funding round and a commitment to continue the scheme through to 2030. This announcement brought a degree of certainty to the policy landscape and has allowed farmers and crofters to plan for the future and how the industry continues to embed and build nature into their businesses. Fresh off the release of the approval lists for the 2025 funding round, in this episode we sit down with Environmental Consultant and Lead on the Ecology Knowledge Network, David Brown from SAC Consulting to discuss the successes of the scheme historically and look forward to what this new round will bring. We cover changes to eligibility criteria, spatial targeting, scoring and more – stressing the importance of getting the right advice and getting it early. David also speaks passionately about his involvement with the Farm Wildlife Walks initiative and the willingness of farmers and crofters to meet the challenge of nature decline head on. Want to get in touch with David? You can get a hold of him via telephone on 01835 342919 or by email at david.brown@sac.co.uk . FAS Resources Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) - FAS https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/agri-environmental-climate-scheme-aecs/ Other Related Resources Agri-Environment Climate Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/

January 15, 202650 min

Counting Carbon - Auditing the Uplands with James Orr

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

December 18, 202556 min

Are You In or Out? Cattle Wintering Strategies with Lorna Shaw

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

November 20, 202554 min

Happening Organically - Supporting Organic Farming 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. 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

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