Blether Together with Farmstrong Scotland

It's a crowded one this time, as Sarah chats with all four 'Bute Shepherdesses'; namely Emma Gray, Cathinka Paterson, Lisa Gast and Sarah Farrell.
These amazing women have come together to run an annual four-day island sheepdog event, the Trials of Bute.
They talk us through what it's like living and working on Bute, their wellbeing tips and insights, and the challenges faced by people seeking opportunity on the island.
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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 families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.
Follow Us
Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.
Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.
You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scotland.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore Foundations of Mental Strength
Read more about Farmstrong's Foundations of Mental Health programme: https://www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk/news-events/farmstrong-scotland-launches-new-mental-strength-programme-in-response-to-survey-findings

Contact us to find out more or book a session: hello@farmstrongscotland.org.uk

We were delighted to hear last month that Blether Together had won the 'Best Interviewer' category at the first ever Scottish Podcast Awards.
In this bonus episode, we're sharing the three clips that made up our entry to the award:
Clip 1: From our Menopause Special episode, crofter Sally Crowe from This Farming Life, and expert gynaecologist Dr Heather Currie
Clip 2: Tommy Dale from Forth Resource Management and Caledonian Horticulture, talking about his recovery from a severe bout of mental ill health in 2013.
Clip 3: East Lothian farming couple Willie Thompson and Anna Davies – on how Willie’s rheumatoid arthritis has changed their family's outlook on life.
Find each of these episodes in the Blether Together podcast feed -- and now that we are an award-winning podcast, there is all the more reason to tell your friends about us, and share links with those who'd be interested.
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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 families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.
Follow Us
Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.
Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.
You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scotland.

Gareth Gault, CEO of global agri brand Grassmen, is better known to friends, fans and followers as 'Donkey'.
But he's lost over 10 stone in weight over the last year or so, and is a shadow of his former self!
In this episode - recorded at the 2026 Royal Highland Show - Gareth talks with Blether Together producer Dave Howard about his weight loss, wellbeing, and setting himself a big challenge for September; Donkey is taking on the Belfast half marathon!
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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 families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.
Follow Us
Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.
Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.
You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scotland.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore Foundations of Mental Strength
Read more about Farmstrong's Foundations of Mental Health programme: https://www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk/news-events/farmstrong-scotland-launches-new-mental-strength-programme-in-response-to-survey-findings

Contact us to find out more or book a session: hello@farmstrongscotland.org.uk

Joe Barker published a video on TikTok in the aftermath of his 21st birthday, talking about wellbeing, and how he has struggled in recent years with his mental health and the pressures of family illness and managing the farm.
The online response was huge - and he's become a champion for wellbeing, regularly posting videos with tips, advice and honest chat.
He's @JoeBarkerfromYorkshire on social channels (even though he now farms in Lanarkshire), and posts on YouTube as Real Talk Rural.
In this episode, recorded at the Farmstrong Scotland stand at the Royal Highland Show, Joe's chatting with producer Dave Howard.
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Important note: there is brief discussion of suicide in this episode.
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, it's important that you talk to someone.
Contact your doctor, RSABI’s 24-hour helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587, or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123.
---
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 families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.
Follow Us
Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.
Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.
You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scotland.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore Foundations of Mental Strength
Read more about Farmstrong's Foundations of Mental Health programme: https://www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk/news-events/farmstrong-scotland-launches-new-mental-strength-programme-in-response-to-survey-findings

Contact us to find out more or book a session: hello@farmstrongscotland.org.uk

A true Scottish agriculture powerhouse, Caroline Millar 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, first recorded for World Mental Health Day 2025, Caroline also shares the practical steps she's taken to build a healthier, more balanced life - for herself, her family, and the people she works with.
Listen now - and share with someone who needs a boost.
Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.
You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scotland.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore Foundations of Mental Strength
Read more about Farmstrong's Foundations of Mental Health programme: https://www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk/news-events/farmstrong-scotland-launches-new-mental-strength-programme-in-response-to-survey-findings

Contact us to find out more or book a session: hello@farmstrongscotland.org.uk