Women In Wellies

Episode 69 : Jenn Stewart - Numbers to NetworksJenn Stewart is a partner and Head of Rural at Johnston Carmichael, a farmer’s wife and mum of three, with a career shaped by her love of farming and rural Scotland.Growing up on a beef and sheep farm in the Scottish Borders, Jenn shares how her early experiences in farming led to a career that took her from studying business and working in Barcelona to insolvency and rural business advisory. It is a reminder that our careers do not always follow the path we first imagined and that unexpected opportunities can open new doors.We talk about the importance of understanding the numbers behind a farming business, planning for the future and having sometimes difficult conversations to help family businesses thrive. Jenn shares her experience of supporting rural businesses through challenges and explains why good advice, collaboration and asking the right questions can make all the difference.Alongside her professional career, Jenn remains closely involved in farming life near St Andrews. She reflects on balancing work and family, the importance of agricultural shows in bringing people together and the value of strong relationships across the rural community.Education, mentoring and giving back are also central to our conversation. Jenn talks about how Young Farmers helped build her confidence, the importance of mentors and role models, and her passion for helping the next generation discover the opportunities available across food, farming and the countryside.Jenn’s advice is to build your network, invest in relationships, ask for help and remember to control the controllables.This episode is full of practical insight, encouragement and a reminder of the importance of people in building strong rural businesses. We hope you enjoy listening in!The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Amelia on social media : Instagram - @johnston_carmichael / @jennifersstewart \\ LinkedIn - Jenn Stewart / Johnston CarmichaelEpisode Recorded on 2nd October 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Episode 68: Amelia Lawrence - Dreams to DairyAmelia Lawrence is a mum, a vet and a first generation dairy farmer, and this conversation gives us a fascinating insight into what it really takes to build a farming business from the ground up.Growing up in Ayr with no farming background, Amelia first found agriculture through gaining experience on a family farm while pursuing her ambition to become a vet. That experience sparked a love for farming which stayed with her throughout university and her veterinary career. Fast forward several years and a slightly flippant conversation with her husband Merlin about a farm coming up for rent turned into years of planning, saving, business plans and hard work to make their dream of becoming dairy farmers a reality.We hear about the support that helped Amelia and Merlin get started, from the Let's Farm Foundation and Oxbury Bank to their mentor Sophie Gregory and the wider network of people who have supported them along the way. Amelia shares honestly what those first 18 months have looked like, from taking on the tenancy and preparing for the arrival of their herd from Ireland to dealing with TB testing, cattle health challenges and a hugely difficult milk market. It is a story of resilience, learning as you go and trying to stay positive when the reality is tougher than you could have imagined.There is also plenty of insight into the practical side of building an efficient dairy business, including changes to the parlour which have saved around three hours a day. Amelia talks about the different perspectives she brings as both a vet and a farmer, the importance of soil health, breeding for strong and resilient cows and her hopes for the future of the herd.Alongside the farming story, we talk about motherhood, balancing life as a vet with running a young dairy business and the importance of having the right people around you. Amelia also shares her desire to open the farm up to more people, helping communities understand where their food comes from and creating opportunities for people who might never otherwise see a pathway into agriculture.For anyone considering becoming a new entrant, Amelia's advice is simple but powerful: get involved, know your figures, build relationships, ask questions and don't necessarily wait until you feel completely ready. Sometimes you just have to go for it, learn along the way and get yourself out there.This is a really honest conversation about ambition, opportunity, resilience and what it means to build something of your own. We are looking forward to following Amelia and Merlin's farming journey as their herd, family and business continue to grow.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Amelia on social media : Instagram - @makingamooofit \\ TikTok: @makingamooofitEpisode Recorded on 18th September 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Episode 67 : Jillian Kennedy - Farming, Forestry and SAYFCJillian Kennedy is a forest manager from a hill beef and sheep farm in Perthshire and, having recently stood down as National Chair of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, this conversation is full of forestry, farming, leadership and plenty of stories from an incredible year.Growing up on her family farm just outside Aberfeldy, Jillian shares how she initially headed off to university to study primary education before discovering environmental geography and, through a chance conversation with a friend, finding her way into forestry. Eight years on, she is now a forest manager working across Highland Perthshire, the Angus Glens and beyond.We dive into what forestry actually involves, from long term forest planning and woodland creation to harvesting, timber marketing and working alongside farmers, gamekeepers and landowners. Jillian talks about the responsibility that comes with making decisions that can shape a landscape for decades and the importance of considering the people and land uses around every forest.Young Farmers is a huge part of Jillian's story and we hear about her journey from growing up around the Aberfeldy and District Club to becoming East Regional Chair and ultimately National Chair. From stock judging and produce shows to speech making and international travel, Jillian shares how the organisation has helped build her confidence, resilience and leadership skills.We also hear about the incredible year she has had as National Chair, including travelling across Scotland to meet members, representing SAYFC internationally and helping to drive forward the Big Build. With the old Young Farmers Centre at Ingliston demolished and more than £1 million raised towards a new building, there is plenty to celebrate, although Jillian admits there is still plenty more to do.As she reflects on a whirlwind year, Jillian talks openly about confidence, saying yes to opportunities, the support of the people around her and learning to recognise what she has achieved. With plans to explore agritourism at home on the family farm, there is already plenty to look forward to in what comes next.This is a conversation about finding your path, taking opportunities when they appear and the power of rural communities. Jillian's advice to the next generation of women in rural Scotland is simple: do not be afraid to say yes, pick up the phone and ask for help, because there is a huge support network behind you.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Jillian on social media : LinkedIn - Jillian Kennedy \\ Instagram - @jilliankennedy95 Episode Recorded on 17th August 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Episode 66 : Linzi Seivwright - Stalking to ScienceLinzi Seivwright is a familiar face to many in the world of deer in Scotland and this conversation gives us the opportunity to hear the stories, experiences and people that have shaped her fascinating career.Growing up in the Angus Glens with a stalker for a dad and surrounded by deer, wildlife and a close rural community, Linzi shares how those early experiences sparked her curiosity about the natural world and ultimately led her into a career in ecology and deer management.From initially studying economics at St Andrews to discovering a prospectus for an MSc in Ecology almost by chance, Linzi reflects on the twists and turns that have shaped her career. We hear about her time working with the Deer Commission, developing the Wild Deer Best Practice guidance and the challenge of building bridges with a sector that was initially deeply sceptical of government intervention. We also hear about the opportunities that took Linzi further afield, including a Churchill Fellowship that broadened her horizons and introduced her to people who continue to inspire her today.Linzi shares her passion for venison and the work she is doing to make it more accessible and familiar to communities, including through education and the Hill to Grill project. We talk about reconnecting people with where their food comes from, the importance of demonstrating the versatility of venison and the opportunities that exist to bring rural businesses, communities and young people together.This episode is full of passion, perspective and inspiration, with a reminder that sometimes the opportunities that change our lives come from the most unexpected conversations. As Linzi says, follow what puts fire in your belly and be willing to take the opportunities that come your way.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Linzi and Findhorn Venison on social media : Instagram - @linziseivwright / @findhornvenisonEpisode Recorded on 14th August 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Educational Episode 4 : Business Continuity - Preparing for Life’s Unexpected EventsNo business is immune to life's unexpected events. Marriage, illness, divorce and death can all have significant implications for rural businesses which makes  preparation just as important as planning for the future and any unexpected challenges. In this educational episode, Hannah is joined by Sharon Murray and Agnes Mallon from Gillespie Macandrew to explore how rural business owners can protect both their families and their businesses when sometimes faced with unexpected events. Building on our previous episodes covering succession planning, inheritance tax and business structures, this conversation focuses on practical steps every farming and rural business should consider to improve resilience and ensure business continuity.Key takeaways you can expect from tuning in:Why business continuity planning is just as important as succession planning.How marriage, civil partnerships and divorce can affect family businesses.Why partnership agreements, wills and Powers of Attorney are essential documents not just paperwork.The practical implications of illness or incapacity for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.Common risks rural businesses overlook and the simple steps that can help avoid costly disputes.Why having difficult conversations before a crisis arises can protect both relationships and the future of your business.Whether you're farming as a family, running a diversified rural business or simply want to be better prepared for the unexpected, this episode offers practical advice and expert insights to help safeguard your business for the future.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Agnes, Sharon and Gillespie Macandrew on social media : LinkedIn - Agnes Mallon / Sharon Murray / Gillespie Macandrew LLP \\ Instagram - @Gillespiemacandrewllp Episode Recorded on Friday 26th June 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Episode 65 : Rebecca MacTaggart - Calves to ConfidenceRebecca McTaggart certainly has her hand in many pies. From farming and feed sales to ski seasons, holiday cottages and the Scottish Women in Dairy network this episode is packed with energy, humour and plenty of stories along the way.Growing up on a dairy farm in Dumfries and Galloway, Rebecca shares her passion for farming and the route that led her into the agricultural industry. Alongside her day job working with farmers she also juggles holiday accommodation changeovers, busy calving seasons and a love of adventure that has taken her everywhere from ski resorts to bungee jumps.Rebecca speaks openly about saying yes to opportunities, building confidence and the value of stepping outside your comfort zone. We also dive into the creation of the Scottish Women in Dairy network alongside Tracey Roan - the very first Women in Wellies Podcast guest! -  and the importance of creating spaces where women in agriculture can connect, support each other and build confidence within the industry.With laughter, honesty and ambition balanced with reflections on rural life, friendship, hard work and making the most of every opportunity that comes your way this episode is sure to inspire and uplift.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Rebecca, Rascarrel Bay Lodges and the Scottish Women in Dairy Network on social media : Instagram - @Becca_Tag / @Rascarel_Bay_Lodges / @scottishwomenindairy \\ Facebook - Rascarrel Bay Lodges / Becca Tags Travel Bookings - all your ski holiday bookingsFind out more about the Scottish Women in Dairy Network here : https://scottishwomenindairy.co.uk/Episode Recorded on 28th April 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Episode 64 : Debbie MacKay - Ireland to InfluenceDebbie Mackay brings warmth, humour and an incredible depth of experience to this conversation as she reflects on a life shaped by rural Ireland, planning and a passion for the countryside.Growing up in rural South Armagh during the Troubles, Debbie shares memories of a free range childhood lived between rivers, fields and the family farm just across the border from her home. From potato picking on Irish hillsides to witnessing the realities of conflict as a child, her stories are both moving and filled with resilience, humour and perspective.After moving to Scotland for university more than 35 years ago, Debbie built a career in rural planning and now leads the Savills planning team in Perth, working across Scotland on a wide range of rural projects. She shares her passion for rural housing, communities and the importance of creating places where people can continue to live and thrive.Throughout the episode we explore confidence, career progression and the changing role of women within rural industries. Debbie reflects on some of the challenges she has faced along the way alongside the people and experiences that shaped her outlook and leadership style.This conversation balances honesty and humour with thoughtful reflections on rural life, community and opportunity. Debbie brings authenticity, warmth and her whole self to this conversation that you don’t want to miss. The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Debbie and Savills on social media : Instagram - @savills  \\ LinkedIn - Debbie Mackay / SavillsEpisode Recorded on 14th April 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Episode 63 : Sue Emery - Marketing, Motherhood and MomentumSue Emery brings honesty, energy and a deep understanding of rural life to this conversation, sharing a journey that spans equine therap,y business ownership and now supporting rural women through marketing and community.Growing up on the Isle of Skye before the bridge, Sue reflects on a childhood shaped by freedom, family businesses and a strong connection to rural life. From an early love of horses to building a successful equine therapy business, her career has evolved through curiosity and a willingness to try new opportunities even when the path was not always clear.Now based in the Cairngorms, Sue shares how becoming a mum became a turning point in her business, leading her to pivot Rural Business Matters into an online space that works around family life. Through her membership, The Marketing Larder, she has created a supportive community for rural women navigating business alongside the juggle of everyday life.We explore the realities of rural isolation and the power of connection, from co-working calls to wider community networks and the role they play both personally and professionally. Sue also shares her involvement with the Country Food Trust and the importance of supporting rural communities through meaningful initiatives.This episode is filled with honesty around confidence, grief and growth. Sue speaks openly about loss, learning to back herself and the impact of saying yes to opportunities even when they feel uncomfortable.A thoughtful and uplifting conversation about building a business that fits your life, the importance of community and the power of taking action before you feel ready.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Sue and find out more about Rural Business Matters on social media : Instagram - @rural_business_matters \\ LinkedIn - Sue Emery / Rural Business MattersFind out more about the Country Food Trust here: https://www.thecountryfoodtrust.org/Episode Recorded on 1st April 2026.All views expressed are our own.

Nic MacLeod is building a life that blends farming, family and a fast paced career in policy and this conversation is an honest and energising look at what it means to take the long way round and make it your own.By no means a traditional career path but with a deep love for rural life, we follow Nic’s path from managing a veterinary practice in Vancouver to returning home during COVID and stepping into a role with Scottish Land and Estates where she has grown into a policy and public affairs position. She shares how she found her niche in a space she never expected and why shaping the future of rural Scotland through policy now feels like exactly where she is meant to be.Alongside her career Nic has taken the leap into farming as she builds her own fold of Highland cattle from scratch. She speaks openly about the steep learning curve from breeding decisions to animal handling and the reality of learning on the job while juggling work and family life.Community runs at the heart of this episode. From family support and friendships to networks like the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, Nic reflects on the people who make it all possible and the importance of not doing it alone. She also shares the honest truth that there is rarely a perfect time to start something new and sometimes you simply have to take the leap and figure it out as you go.This is a conversation about backing yourself, embracing the unexpected and creating a life that does not follow a straight line but feels right all the same.The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.Connect with Nic and follow the journey of Mac Farms on social media : Instagram - @nicmacleodsle / @mac_farms  \\ LinkedIn - Nic MacLeod / Scottish Land & EstatesEpisode Recorded on 31st March 2026.All views expressed are our own.