0:00:03 > 0:00:06Across some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes
0:00:06 > 0:00:07of the British Isles...
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's not a bad office, is it? You know, look at it.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..Scotland's far carve a living...
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Everything has a time and a season.
0:00:17 > 0:00:18Nature doesn't stop.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20..breeding sheep and cattle...
0:00:20 > 0:00:21There's a lot of old friends here.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24They've come to the end of their working life. Quite a sad day.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27Wait a second!
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..bringing new life into the world...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..and battling with the elements.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35HE WHISTLES
0:00:35 > 0:00:37They're all cute in their own way
0:00:37 > 0:00:40and especially if they end up on your plate as a lamb chop. Yum.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Over a year, five very different families
0:00:44 > 0:00:47let cameras on to their farms...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Hell of a size of nuts on him.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53..and into their lives to share their struggles...
0:00:53 > 0:00:54I don't know why you won't go forward, missus.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Do you need to do this?!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..and their triumphs...
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Look at my baby! He's alive!
0:01:02 > 0:01:06..as they try and turn a profit in testing economic times.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08That's just depressing, that, really.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11There's cause for celebration...
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Gorgeous.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14..and a time to reflect.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17I feel sad that I haven't provided the next generation
0:01:17 > 0:01:19to carry on here.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20But it's never dull.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- Not letting go! - LAUGHTER
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's not a job, it's a way of life.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40It's September on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides...
0:01:44 > 0:01:49..a chain of islands 30 miles off the northwest coast of Scotland.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The seasons are changing and the autumn schedule of sheep work
0:01:58 > 0:02:02is about to begin for crofter Sandy Granville.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06No-one enjoys going from summer into autumn.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10In the summer, we have daylight at midnight,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13and it's just a joy to be...to be out and about,
0:02:13 > 0:02:18and then the year turns and the nights start drawing in very fast,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22and we know where we're going - we're going into the pit of winter.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Autumn is one of the busiest times of the year.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28There's plenty going on, there's plenty going on on the croft,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30gathering and sorting of animals.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32It's a time for plenty of death.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40We spend most of our life looking after animals
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and keeping them alive.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Er...
0:02:44 > 0:02:46And when one's successful at that,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48there's a great deal of pleasure in it.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51There's no pleasure in the killing.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55So there's a sadness to this time of the year.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02I do sometimes think about being a vegetarian, but not for very long.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Today, Sandy's travelling with seven other crofters to an
0:03:11 > 0:03:15uninhabited island less than half a mile off the coast,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17in search of his sheep.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19SHEEP BLEAT, MEN SHOUT
0:03:21 > 0:03:26As dictated by tradition, the flock are all owned by different crofters,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29but have been grazing together on common land.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- Come here!- That'll do, boy. Come here.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Crofting is a tradition that's unique
0:03:34 > 0:03:36to the Highlands and islands of Scotland.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38MAN WHISTLES AND CALLS
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Dating back to the late 19th century,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44crofts are small plots of poor-quality land
0:03:44 > 0:03:47with common grazing rights that are part of a community
0:03:47 > 0:03:49where much of the work is shared.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53I love this. I just, I can think of nothing better to be doing
0:03:53 > 0:03:55than being on the hills of the islands.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59It's one of the greatest ways to spend your life,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03being on a hill with a trained dog or two, working these wild sheep.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07But it's a tradition that's disappearing.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10These hills and islands used to be full of sheep
0:04:10 > 0:04:13and now there's very few, just people from a few villages
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and mostly we're pretty old. It's been said that
0:04:16 > 0:04:19if you come to one of our sheep gatherings, it's like a Saga outing.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24The group are trying to drive the flock of 60 sheep
0:04:24 > 0:04:27into the handling pens by the shore for sorting.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32But the sheep, who've been living wild here for the last year,
0:04:32 > 0:04:33have other ideas.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44At the pens, they need to weed out the male sheep
0:04:44 > 0:04:49destined for slaughter from the ewes that need to be sheared.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51They're bad buggers, aren't they? Come on.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55The ewes aren't Sandy's, but everyone chips in with
0:04:55 > 0:04:57the shearing, using traditional tools
0:04:57 > 0:05:00that have been around for centuries.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Most people here use the shears, or they call it the deamhas.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06It's not as fast as using mechanical shears, but you can shove them
0:05:06 > 0:05:09in your pocket and take them anywhere.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14With flocks scattered across different islands,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17shearing happens all year round whenever visits are made.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Be still there, my love.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Nearly there, and you'll be feeling much better when this is off you.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Blackface sheep are a hardy breed, so can happily withstand
0:05:31 > 0:05:35the harsh Hebridean winters with a shorter coat.
0:05:35 > 0:05:36Well, you're an old woolly.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Sandy hasn't been wrangling sheep all his life.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46He was once a criminal barrister in London,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49but gave it up for a more traditional life
0:05:49 > 0:05:52when he moved to Lewis with his wife 12 years ago.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57I've known this island all my life because my mother came from here
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and the croft we now have is next door
0:05:59 > 0:06:02to one that was my grandfather's.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07He...he died about 1938
0:06:07 > 0:06:09so it was a long time ago that it was his.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11Cup of tea, chaps.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Sandy's now on a mission to try
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and preserve this traditional way of life.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Who's not got a cup of tea?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22The one with the midge, which one's that?
0:06:22 > 0:06:25He's set up a cooperative, selling wedder mutton -
0:06:25 > 0:06:28the meat of two-year-old, castrated male sheep -
0:06:28 > 0:06:29to customers across the UK.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35If we can sell enough mutton to the English,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37we'll keep it going for another generation.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43It's strange that I, who have come here fairly lately from London,
0:06:43 > 0:06:49should be such a traditionalist, but there's no doubt that I am.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52To get his precious mutton to his customers,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Sandy first has to get the wedders off this island and over to Lewis.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04MEN CHATTER
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- Do you want me to come back or stay over?- No, no, stay over...
0:07:09 > 0:07:11The only way is by boat...
0:07:14 > 0:07:15..six at a time...
0:07:17 > 0:07:20..so they must ferry them across in shifts.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29All aboard, they set off for Lewis, a ten-minute boat ride away.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Sea shepherding, moving livestock between islands,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45has been a common practice in the Scottish Isles for centuries
0:07:45 > 0:07:49and if crofting were to die out, so would this unique tradition.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55'I have a role in what is a dying way of life.'
0:07:58 > 0:08:02And I would love to think that we could get another generation
0:08:02 > 0:08:04doing this, producing this great meat.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09If we are the last, we're having a great time doing it.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26On the mainland, north of Aberdeen, in the North East
0:08:26 > 0:08:32of Scotland, Martin Irvine and his family rent a 240-acre farm
0:08:32 > 0:08:34where they rear pedigree Limousin bulls.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41His family have been tenant far for five generations.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45His father started breeding bulls 30 years ago
0:08:45 > 0:08:48and it's now their biggest source of income.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Our business is the bull job and it all starts with
0:08:54 > 0:08:57a bull and a cow. What we're trying to produce
0:08:57 > 0:09:01is bulls other far buy from us to use on their cows to
0:09:01 > 0:09:05breed calves to sell for burgers, steaks, all that kind of things.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Limousins were imported from France in the 1970s.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Renowned for the quality of their meat,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16they're the most popular breed of beef cattle in the UK.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Martin has one breeding bull in his herd.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24When we bought Irish, we were looking for muscle,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26we were looking for the Arnold Schwarzenegger of bulls,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28and he is the Arnold Schwarzenegger of bulls.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33He's full of muscle, meat in all the right places,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36rippling, looks the part.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38He's a good worker and we give him a bit of his breakfast
0:09:38 > 0:09:41every morning, that just keeps him in good condition.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Irish needs all the sustenance he can get...
0:09:48 > 0:09:54..because his job is to service Martin's entire herd of 70 cows.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Come on, girls.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Our cows, most of our cows are big, framey cows, big pens,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02big fleshy girls. That's how we like them.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08The females are going to, hopefully, throw in the genetics for the size
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and power, and Irish, with all his extreme muscle and ripness to him,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14he's going to mix it and hopefully the calves off of this
0:10:14 > 0:10:15will be a bit of both.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Martin aims to produce a new batch of around 35 male calves
0:10:19 > 0:10:22every year from which he cherry-picks the best
0:10:22 > 0:10:24to nurture for sale.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28So we've got the bull pens here.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30This is the cream of the crop.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33What you look for in a bull, a nice big dock.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38Nice and wide across here and nice down here.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42All the expensive cuts come in there
0:10:42 > 0:10:44and all your steak is in here.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50This bits here is his balls. This is the most important bit of the bull
0:10:50 > 0:10:52and that's where all the genetics come from
0:10:52 > 0:10:54and breed you all this muscle.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Martin knows the exact measurements of the perfect pair.
0:10:59 > 0:11:0335 centimetres to 40 centimetres in diameter.
0:11:04 > 0:11:10Bulls were Martin's life and then farmer's daughter Mel came along.
0:11:10 > 0:11:16We met through Young Far. I always knew who he was.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It most definitely was not love at first sight
0:11:19 > 0:11:25because when I...heard of Martin Irvine, you know,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28he was very... I thought he was quite up himself!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Mel had come across. She was standing behind my pen of bulls
0:11:35 > 0:11:38and the first thing she says to me, she likes Aberdeen Angus.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42So right from the start I didn't like Mel, actually!
0:11:42 > 0:11:44It was one of our Young Far dances,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47barn dances, that we went to and then he asked me to dance,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51and we danced, and the rest of it is, basically, history.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54We never actually went for a meal or the cinema for about two months
0:11:54 > 0:11:57when we were going out, it was all kind of, just, er,
0:11:57 > 0:12:02up to the farm and showed her the bulls, like you do, and...
0:12:02 > 0:12:04run about the park on the quad bike
0:12:04 > 0:12:06and, er, just kind of worked our way from there.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09We've so much in common. When we first got together,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I remember we sat on the phone for about two hours
0:12:13 > 0:12:19and it was all about cows and farming and how his day had went,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23combining and things, so we just haven't looked back since.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28They're getting married in eight months
0:12:28 > 0:12:31and together they have big plans for the future.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33SHEEP BLEAT
0:12:33 > 0:12:39Mel's an enterprising shepherdess, and last year made over £2,000
0:12:39 > 0:12:41rearing her first flock of 34 sheep.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I doubled my money on them
0:12:43 > 0:12:46and that was then put into my wedding fund and Martin,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50being a sheep hater - and he hated sheep, totally, he just couldn't
0:12:50 > 0:12:52stand sheep - went on to thinking,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54"Oh, this is actually quite a good idea."
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Having opened up Martin's heart to sheep,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02she then persuaded him to take on a contract to manage
0:13:02 > 0:13:05a flock of 550 ewes for the local estate.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08Come on!
0:13:08 > 0:13:12To increase their profits, she wants to grow the flock even more.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17So tomorrow, they're going to the first ram or tup sale of the season
0:13:17 > 0:13:21in search of some virile males to service the estate's ewes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24The first sale's maybe the cheapest of the year,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26but we'll be there and we'll see what happens, like, so...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28But we're looking for Texels.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Well, we're open to negotiating which breeds.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Yeah, but we're looking for Texels, Texels would be the gold,
0:13:35 > 0:13:36but they'd be a bit more expensive.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I'm not needing superstars, but I'm just needing good tups
0:13:39 > 0:13:41to improve them so that's what we need.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- Good tups that are going to leave good lambs with plenty of meat. - Yeah.- That's what we're looking for.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Early the next morning,
0:13:49 > 0:13:54they head to the sale 30 miles away in Thainstone near Aberdeen.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58A farmer's day out is going to the mart and seeing everybody
0:13:58 > 0:14:01and looking at livestock, which may be sad to some, like,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04but it's a day out for us and we'll enjoy it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08This pedigree tup sale is held once a year
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and attracts buyers from across Scotland.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Today, six different breeds will be auctioned off for sale
0:14:15 > 0:14:18to the highest bidder.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Brilliant, thank you very much.- Nae bother.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23The most popular breeding tups in the UK are Texels,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25and Martin and Mel want to buy as many as they can
0:14:25 > 0:14:27within their budget.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29That's a pen that we need to go have a look at.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31These are all ram lambs, aren't they?
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Originally from the Netherlands, the breed are heavily muscled
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and known for their superior meat quality.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43We're looking for a big, strong manly tup with a nice, round bum,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47a long back and the head, hmm...
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- Yeah. Something that's pleasing to the eye.- Yeah.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Ken, something with plenty of meat on it,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56something to produce plenty of lamb, should I say?
0:14:58 > 0:15:00It's the first sale of the season
0:15:00 > 0:15:03so it's Mel's best chance of bagging a bargain.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05I'll let the professional at it now.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07We'll pretty much go through every pen,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10have a feel, have a look at everything, really.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15The tups' coats are dyed a darker colour to help show off their shape.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Just dressing, pretty much. Poofing them up.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20Yeah, Mel knows her Texels.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Mel used to have some Texels when she was younger.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27I'll let her go at it first and then I'll pass my view on it.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31Mel wants to buy eight,
0:15:31 > 0:15:36but she needs to size up over 200 before making her choice.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37Aye, he's got a good head on him.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- 241.- I've already marked him down.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43There's a big lad at the corner, there.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47He's smaller, but he's...got a nice bum.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50He's a bit open-coated. I don't know.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53We're looking for ones with nice, tight skins.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55This is a nice, tight skin here.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00The wool's all cut close, compacted together, it's not open,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02like that, naturally.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06You know, you're wanting, you want, like...you want neat.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10But it's their most important asset that she's focused on.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12They feel fine.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17So when we're looking at tups, the main part is their testicles
0:16:17 > 0:16:20because that is where all the semen's made.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32So, when we're looking at tups, we always have a feel...
0:16:32 > 0:16:36and see that they're not soft or spongy, they're quite firm,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40and feel the same sort of size.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42If we buy this tup, this tup could be serving
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- anything up to between 50 and 90. - You come in here and you see that.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Hell of a size of nuts on him.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51She should be used to big testicles, really.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55HE LAUGHS
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Having done the rounds, Mel wants to narrow down the field over lunch.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07This is the best bit of the day.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08I love a Mart lunch.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14This is the only time you take me out.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15True, it is, actually!
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- How many have you picked?- Erm...
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Seven, eight, nine...
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- 19.- 19.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31That's enough. That should be enough.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34One o'clock and the auction is under way.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- AUCTIONEER SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY - 200... 200 in the lead...
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Of her select 19, Mel wants to walk away with eight
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and is hoping at least half will be Texels.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48OK, good afternoon, ladies and gentleman.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51We'll now start the Texel section.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55She has £4,500 of the estate's money to spend.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58We've got a budget so we can't go past it.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02If I can average our tups about five, 550, be quite happy.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- Cos it's very easy to get carried away.- Yeah.- Very easy.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08You see something that you like, and you think,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11"Right, I want it," but it can go crazy money
0:18:11 > 0:18:14so you've just got to learn to sit on your hands.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18The Texel section lasts for about an hour
0:18:18 > 0:18:19and the first tup is in.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24At auctions, the bidding is in guineas -
0:18:24 > 0:18:27one guinea is the equivalent of £1.05.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29700 guineas, 700...
0:18:29 > 0:18:31That's way out of our price range.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38750, 750, 800, 800...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41800 away, then.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- This'll go crazy.- See what happens.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49250, 280, 300, 20...
0:18:49 > 0:18:5250, 420, 420...
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- 450...- Nuh.
0:18:56 > 0:18:5915 minutes in and they still haven't managed to buy one.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01480...
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Next one.- This one?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Then it's the turn of one of her favourites.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11380, 380 guin... 380...
0:19:11 > 0:19:14400, 420...
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Got a good skin.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19450, 480, 500...
0:19:20 > 0:19:23500, 500, 500...
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Drummuir Home Farm.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Mel's finally got herself a Texel.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And it's not long before she's in with a chance on another.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38580, 580 guineas, 580...
0:19:42 > 0:19:46She gets him, too, and goes on to close the deal on another four.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50To balance the books, she also buys two cross-bred bargains.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57She walks away on-target and within budget.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Really happy with them, seeing them all in the pen
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and comparing them to each other so, yeah, really happy
0:20:02 > 0:20:04and they're going to go home and make lots of babies.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Yep, that's the plan.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Come on, boys.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12THEY WHISTLE
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Further north, in the Highlands near Inverness,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28John Scott runs a large farming business rearing sheep,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31beef cattle and growing crops.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43He owns his farm, which stretches across 1,000 acres,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46and he rents another 3,000 nearby.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48We've got a fairly large sheep enterprise with
0:20:48 > 0:20:50just around about 4,000 ewes.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54We've got 180 beef cows, we've got 400 acres of cereals,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57and we've got land rented out for potatoes as well.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00The farm's been in the family for four generations.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04He started working on the farm aged 17 and has since
0:21:04 > 0:21:07expanded the business and increased the profits.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08Success is important to me.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11I suppose you're measured by your success
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and it is important to be doing well in life.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Farming well and farming profitably is very important to me.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20PIGS SQUEAL
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Running the venture alongside him is wife Fiona.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30These guys are all going to be sausages at some point.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Like bull breeder Martin, John fell for a farmer's daughter.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40They've been married for 15 years and have four children.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42John and I met at Young Far.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44There was a wellie-boot-throwing competition
0:21:44 > 0:21:48and I threw the wellie boot and just about knocked him out!
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Izz! You nearly ready?
0:21:51 > 0:21:54My mum kept saying to me, "Don't marry a farmer.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55"They put in really long hours."
0:21:55 > 0:21:58But I didn't feel I wanted to be away from it and then I think
0:21:58 > 0:22:01the kids are very lucky to be growing up in amongst it as well.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06John has high hopes his children will follow in their footsteps.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Farming is a family business and
0:22:08 > 0:22:11it's important to ensure the farm is kept in good heart.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Hopefully James and maybe a couple of the others will take
0:22:13 > 0:22:16things on and that would be fantastic,
0:22:16 > 0:22:17that drives us on, really.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Oh, come on. Pat's waiting.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Today, John's also starting to lay the groundwork for the
0:22:24 > 0:22:28tupping season with one of his two permanent members of staff.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33We're going to go through the ewes and just check everything,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36make sure they're OK for mating time, for tupping time.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40So, traditionally, we would have caught each sheep
0:22:40 > 0:22:44and turned them over, but this crate makes life a lot easier.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48We clamp them in first of all, I flick this lever here
0:22:48 > 0:22:50and it's a very quick spin over.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55It means we can do a lot of sheep quickly without hurting our backs.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59It's a very handy machine, as John's got 4,200 ewes
0:22:59 > 0:23:01to check over the next week.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05It's just like having your nails trimmed, they're not feeling that.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07We just want to expose any problems
0:23:07 > 0:23:10and try and reduce the risk of there being problems
0:23:10 > 0:23:12cos you really don't want this girl going lame during that
0:23:12 > 0:23:16breeding cycle, you want to her just to be out there eating grass
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and thinking about, er...
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Well, thinking about sex, really, and getting pregnant.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31If any of our breeding ewes are not good on their feet and able
0:23:31 > 0:23:36to move around freely, we really need to cull them from the flock.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38John keeps on only the fittest to breed
0:23:38 > 0:23:42and every year, one in five ewes are culled.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Oh, this is a dodgy one, Martin.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Erm, this is a young sheep, but not happy with her foot, feet.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Martin's got a bad foot there at the back as well
0:23:51 > 0:23:54so she will be marked as a cull.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57We haven't got space to carry passengers. These sheep have to be
0:23:57 > 0:23:59able to do the job we need them to do
0:23:59 > 0:24:01and if they're not up to it, they go.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Anything that we don't, erm, retain for breeding will be fattened up
0:24:05 > 0:24:06and sent to slaughter.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13I'll just mark her up. That's it, that's the, the dot of death.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Red is fairly terminal around here.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Sold on as meat, ewes can fetch up to £80 per animal.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29But foot inspection is just one of the jobs John must attend to today.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Where did Granny find you, James?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- School.- Loitering!
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Eldest son 12-year-old James is back from school
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and itching to help with the rest of the chores.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- Slave labour's great! - LAUGHTER
0:24:42 > 0:24:47No, he's quite useful, seems quite keen, which we want to encourage.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50He's got a good eye for sheep.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52The weather's been mild so John's on high alert
0:24:52 > 0:24:56for a dangerous condition called flystrike.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01So this ewe here, you can see, she's itching herself, she's dark.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05If I look in there, I'll probably find maggots. There, look.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07That's blowfly. They've laid their eggs there and those maggots
0:25:07 > 0:25:11are eating the sheep, basically, which is pretty bloody horrible.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14That's what... Blowfly lays eggs and it's a maggot
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and they'll lay that, even on clean wool.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18That'll start eating the sheep alive, which is
0:25:18 > 0:25:21a common problem that we get and this year's been particularly bad
0:25:21 > 0:25:26and there's been a lot of problems, both in ewes and lambs.
0:25:26 > 0:25:3080% of flocks in the UK are affected by flystrike each year.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34So what we're going to do is,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38we're going to trim all this area away and get them away from it.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44The infestation on the sheep is easily treated...
0:25:44 > 0:25:48by removing the infected wool and maggots...
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and using spray-on antibiotics.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I quite often put a bit of fly repellent-type spray
0:25:54 > 0:25:56on that as well, but it should be fine now,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00but we'll watch it, we'll monitor the, the recovery.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04It's annoying. If that was to be left untreated, it would be terminal
0:26:04 > 0:26:07eventually, or could be terminal, eventually, so it's
0:26:07 > 0:26:11important we try and get on top of these things as quickly as possible.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Farming means a mass of paperwork to attend to as well
0:26:15 > 0:26:17and at the end of most days,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19John and Fiona work through this together.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22We don't talk much. I've got my phone over here, I just...
0:26:22 > 0:26:25We actually communicate by e-mail sometimes.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- I'm not joking. - Sometimes more civil that way.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29SHE LAUGHS
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Sometimes you know you'll get an answer if you e-mail him!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39If our kids decided that they didn't want to farm,
0:26:39 > 0:26:40I would struggle with it.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It's quite a family-orientated business
0:26:42 > 0:26:45and that's what drives me on.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I'd like to build something for the kids to,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50to take on and follow in our footsteps
0:26:50 > 0:26:52and if they suddenly turned round and said,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54"Well, we don't want the farm,"
0:26:54 > 0:26:57we'd have to go to plan B and, at the moment, there isn't a plan B.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00To think that nobody was going to be, none of our family were going
0:27:00 > 0:27:02to be here and carry it on...
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Yeah, actually, it would be quite a thought.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08But, yeah, if they don't want to, as long as they're happy.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11You've got to be happy for your kids, but, no, it'll be...
0:27:11 > 0:27:14I'll just keep farming till I drop dead.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15LAUGHTER
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Much further south, on the other side of Scotland,
0:27:26 > 0:27:31and just a stone's throw from Loch Lomond, Bobby and Anne Lennox
0:27:31 > 0:27:33rent two hill farms from a big estate.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Their land stretches for 5,000 acres.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47And one of the farms has been in Bobby's family for over 200 years.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52We have been tenants on this farm here since 1750.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I've not actually counted the number of generations that goes back,
0:27:55 > 0:27:56but it's quite a lot.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59HE CALLS OUT, SHEEP BLEAT
0:27:59 > 0:28:04Like crofter Sandy in Lewis, they rear hardy blackface sheep
0:28:04 > 0:28:06that can thrive in the rough, hilly terrain.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12We're not going to get rich farming on this type of land.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14It's hard work.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16But the lifestyle is good.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20If you're a farmer, it's bred into you.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24You don't want to do anything else. It's what you love doing.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26You've produced good stock.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29The satisfaction in that is immense.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Today, they're beginning the process of sorting out their 1,100 lambs
0:28:36 > 0:28:39born in the spring, now five months old.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45They've gathered them in from the hills and Anne's waiting to
0:28:45 > 0:28:48get them into pens close to the farm to begin their work.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52We do a lot of hanging about and waiting.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- INTERVIEWER: Are you a patient person?- No.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I wasn't around when they were handing out patience and diplomacy.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- You were in the pub. - I was in the pub!
0:29:05 > 0:29:08The lambs were separated from their mothers two weeks ago
0:29:08 > 0:29:11and need to be tagged so they can be easily identified.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16Each lot of lambs have got to be tagged...
0:29:16 > 0:29:20er, with...basically within their first six months of life.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24Two, each lamb gets two tags in it, a yellow one,
0:29:24 > 0:29:28which is electronic, and a year-identifying colour.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32They'll feel it, but no more than
0:29:32 > 0:29:36somebody getting an ear pierced. There's a nip at the time.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Bobby and Anne have three grown-up children,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42but so far, none have followed them into farming.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Come here.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48They're both in their 60s and do most of the work on the farm
0:29:48 > 0:29:52themselves, but often take on exchange students to help.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56This year, it's Shenae from Canada.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00It's through an agricultural programme and they match you up
0:30:00 > 0:30:04with a host family that... with the personalities and whatnot.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06It's not all work.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09- She goes out with the local Young Far' Club...- Yup!
0:30:09 > 0:30:11..has a very active social life.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- Just ask me, I'll tell you all about it.- Oh, no!
0:30:17 > 0:30:19In this part of the world,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21it isn't easy to make a living farming sheep.
0:30:22 > 0:30:28We've shrunk the cost structure down about as low as we can get it.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31If you, you know, if you're on a better land, more options
0:30:31 > 0:30:35that you've got other crops, you can chop and change into other livestock
0:30:35 > 0:30:38or something like that, but the only thing we can do is sheep here.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45To make the most of his flock, one of the crucial decisions Bobby
0:30:45 > 0:30:49faces every year is which of his new lambs to keep on for breeding.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Basically, we're only looking to keep the females
0:30:54 > 0:30:56to replace the stock.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00We're looking to... Really about 500 females a year.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Most of the male lambs are for selling
0:31:03 > 0:31:08and we keep about 20. So, really, I'm trying to keep the best.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11For the last 24 years,
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Bobby's adopted a cutting-edge approach to making his choice.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19He invests £200 to employ the services
0:31:19 > 0:31:22of veterinary sonographer Will Wilson.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26It's an ultrasound image of...basically a lamb chop.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31That's what we're looking at, if you want to put it in very simple terms.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Most of Bobby's farming income comes from selling his lamb meat
0:31:34 > 0:31:38to supermarkets and his entire operation centres around
0:31:38 > 0:31:43detailed knowledge that helps to produce animals of the right size.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46What we're taking is three fat measurements
0:31:46 > 0:31:51and a muscle depth measurement from in below the fat interface,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54down to the top of the lumbar vertebrae.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Bobby was one of the first far in Scotland to pioneer
0:31:58 > 0:32:02the use of ultrasound to identify the best blackface ewes and tups.
0:32:05 > 0:32:0631 kilos.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10And he keeps meticulous records of their weight.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14We're looking at trying to match up the best genetics in both
0:32:14 > 0:32:18the male and the female side, and to make some genetic improvement.
0:32:19 > 0:32:25It's trying to produce lambs to the spec that a supermarket wants.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28So they fit in the nice, wee plastic boxes.
0:32:30 > 0:32:3131kg.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38Supermarkets will only accept lambs between 16 and 21 kilos,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41and Bobby gets paid for his meat by the weight.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45The big improvement that I've seen is
0:32:45 > 0:32:48when the lambs go to the abattoir,
0:32:48 > 0:32:53they're now weighing 4.5 kilo heavier...meat on them
0:32:53 > 0:32:55than there was 20 years ago.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Bobby will put his precious ewes and tups to good use
0:33:00 > 0:33:04in eight weeks' time when the tupping season begins.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06SHEEP BLEAT
0:33:11 > 0:33:15North of Inverness, John Scott's taking a break from his
0:33:15 > 0:33:20busy farming schedule to host a very special event on his farm.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30He's set aside 240 acres of barley fields
0:33:30 > 0:33:34to host the 2014 World Sheep Dog Trials.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39Held every three years, it's the Olympics of the sheep dog world.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43You know, as a farmer, it's important that we don't just...
0:33:43 > 0:33:44just farm.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47We have to be out there and we have to promote what we're doing.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49We're trying to sell a lot of bulls and rams each year
0:33:49 > 0:33:53so having the events like the World Sheep Dog Trials does give us
0:33:53 > 0:33:56a chance to showcase what we're doing here.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Being able to share the Highlands, which is such a special place,
0:33:59 > 0:34:03with the rest of the world is, it's really just tremendous.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09It was John's late father-in-law, who died seven years ago,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12who paved the way for the competition to be held on the farm.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19My dad was, er... He was really into his dog trials
0:34:19 > 0:34:22and he'd suggested that we have the Scottish National here.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26He wasn't...he wasn't fit to run his dogs by that stage,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30but he was just chuffed to bits that it was here.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32And then, after the Scottish National,
0:34:32 > 0:34:34they said, "How about having the International?"
0:34:34 > 0:34:36So it just all kind of snowballed.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40In the next few days, thousands of people from all over the world will
0:34:40 > 0:34:44come to John's farm to see very best handlers and their dogs compete.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47If you can imagine, you're walking across here, you've
0:34:47 > 0:34:50got your best mate with you, you've got your dog by your side,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52you've got a grandstand to your left
0:34:52 > 0:34:53with several hundred people in it.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Pressure's on.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58Far away in the distance, that's where the sheep will get
0:34:58 > 0:35:01released and they've got to bring the sheep down
0:35:01 > 0:35:04and through the course, through the gate and eventually pen them
0:35:04 > 0:35:05in this pen we see here.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I haven't ever done this so I'm talking
0:35:09 > 0:35:11without the relevant knowledge.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14My Pip is fine for farm use, but she's not really a trials dog.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18But this is a different level.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23Tonight, there's an opening ceremony in Tain, the local town five miles
0:35:23 > 0:35:26from the farm and John's one of the guests of honour.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30We're going in there for the parade of competitors.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34They're all going to parade up the main street with pipe band in front
0:35:34 > 0:35:38of them and they'll be carrying their national flag, a bit like
0:35:38 > 0:35:42the opening ceremony of the Olympics really, but for the sheep dog world.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Not only are the World Trials a PR coup for John,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50but with visitors from across the world descending on the town,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53it's one of the biggest events the area has ever seen.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00THEY LAUGH
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- Good to see you. - Same here. Good to see you.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- Yeah, it's going to be good. - Well done.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07Good on you.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09BAGPIPES
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- ANNOUNCER:- All the way from Brazil...
0:36:12 > 0:36:13CHEERING
0:36:15 > 0:36:19It's taken two years of meticulous planning to get to this point.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- Denmark. - CHEERING
0:36:22 > 0:36:24I'm looking along the street there
0:36:24 > 0:36:27and there's loads of people here. A real buzz.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29So many friendly people that we've met before
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and great to see them back here again. Great.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Tomorrow, the serious business of the competition will begin.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Across the sea on the Isle of Lewis,
0:36:53 > 0:36:58barrister-turned-crofter Sandy is at home with wife Ali.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Having sent their wedders to the abattoir,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04they need to attend to their other livestock.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10They have a dozen Highland cattle.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Native to Scotland,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15on average, female cows weigh about half a tonne.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19To make them easier to work with as adults,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Sandy and Ali start to handle them when they're young.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26They were taken from their mothers probably not quite a week ago.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28We like to put them in here when they're weaned
0:37:28 > 0:37:34and the mothers come and go outside the, just by the, outside the bars,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37so it's quite a... It's a gentler sort of weaning.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Every morning, they harness up their two ten month-old calves
0:37:42 > 0:37:45to take them for a walk outside.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48This is Caitlin and that's Christian.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52They don't come when called by name!
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Come on, let's get this on nicely.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58She's actually better, she's much better in the halter.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01He tends to be a bit wild. That's why Sandy's got him.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04When you first put their halter on over their neck,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07it's like a rodeo. They just go wild, they're climbing the walls
0:38:07 > 0:38:12and their eyes are rolling and they throw themselves to the ground.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16They like just getting little bits of food in their mouths.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20They can be...they can be persuaded to...
0:38:20 > 0:38:21quite get to like people.
0:38:25 > 0:38:31By the time the calves go back out into the world,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35they'll eat from your hand and they'll walk on a halter.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Without this training, there can be painful consequences.
0:38:39 > 0:38:46I broke a rib last week in a bit of a cattle crush in a gateway.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50That sort of thing happens much less often
0:38:50 > 0:38:53when you've got nice, tame cattle like these.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Well, you're a couple of good calves, really, aren't you?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Not such bad calves, are you, at all?
0:39:00 > 0:39:04This routine is a world away from their old life down South.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Like Sandy, Ali was a lawyer...
0:39:10 > 0:39:13..and when the youngest of their two sons went off to university,
0:39:13 > 0:39:15they decided to make a change.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18We were just coming up to 50, then,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20so if we were going to do something different, it had to be
0:39:20 > 0:39:27then, before we got too old and we've always loved coming here.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30There's always been a sort of call of the far north this...
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Something about this place, it's very beautiful
0:39:33 > 0:39:37and, er, we just thought this was, this was just the chance
0:39:37 > 0:39:40for us to come here and be crofters.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42Come on, old fella.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46'We had a phone call one night from a cousin who lived in the village,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50'to tell us that this croft and its house were for sale.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52'Well, we, erm...'
0:39:53 > 0:39:56..bought the place over the telephone that night.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00They sold their family home, moved up to Lewis
0:40:00 > 0:40:02and reinvented themselves as crofters.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05I think a lot of people thought it was a really exciting thing
0:40:05 > 0:40:07to do, some people thought we were completely mad.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Others, including my father, were disappointed.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16He felt that I was throwing away a valuable career.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Sometimes it's HARD fun. It's always exciting
0:40:21 > 0:40:25and it's a very satisfying way to spend your life.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28I think you have to make a change now and again. If you've only
0:40:28 > 0:40:32got one life, it's a shame to spend it doing only one thing, isn't it?
0:40:32 > 0:40:37After a few laps around the yard, Sandy and Ali bring the calves in.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41When they're grown-up, great big cows with big horns,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43er, they're really...
0:40:46 > 0:40:48..always, gentle and easy.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51There we are. Leading in the winner.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06On the mainland near Inverness,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10it's the start of the World Sheep Dog Trials on John Scott's farm.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16Over the next four days, 213 competitors and their dogs
0:41:16 > 0:41:17from around the globe
0:41:17 > 0:41:22will fight it out to be the Sheep Dog Trial Champion of the World.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25We're registering all the handlers and dogs for the trial,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28and I think the furthest away is probably Brazil.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Obviously, lots of European competitors
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and obviously the home nations as well.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35So we're just getting them to sign in
0:41:35 > 0:41:37and say which dog that they're running.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41'All of the guys here will be really good, you know,'
0:41:41 > 0:41:43they've qualified to get here, they've had to go through
0:41:43 > 0:41:45competitions at home to get here. Now they're here,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49they're here to win. They're not here to make up numbers.
0:41:50 > 0:41:5325 countries are taking part.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55We are from Norway. Yes.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00- North of Norway.- North of Norway and we was coming with plane.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04I'm from a little village in Vermont in New England.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06We've come from Holland, yeah.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10This is the second time we've been competing in the World Trials.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15There's also a large Scottish contingent of 17
0:42:15 > 0:42:17including local and close family friend of the Scotts,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Michael Shearer.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21He's one of the favourites
0:42:21 > 0:42:24and lived next door to John's late father-in-law.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28He got me, encouraged me to start trialling so that's how
0:42:28 > 0:42:31I got going. He was just a neighbour along the road and it was handy
0:42:31 > 0:42:34for, when practising, he could put sheep out for me and I could put
0:42:34 > 0:42:36sheep out for him so, it's better,
0:42:36 > 0:42:38easier than trying to do it yourself.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Really keeping our fingers crossed for him.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42He was a good friend of my late father-in-law
0:42:42 > 0:42:46and I'd just be delighted if he can just pull something off here.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52The first two days are the qualifying rounds.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56HE CALLS AND WHISTLES
0:42:56 > 0:43:00All the competitors and their dogs must navigate a flock of five sheep
0:43:00 > 0:43:03around a specially designed obstacle course,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06through gates and into pens, in just 15 minutes.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09APPLAUSE
0:43:10 > 0:43:13Two judges mark each round.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16They assess the quality of the working relationship
0:43:16 > 0:43:18between man and dog...
0:43:18 > 0:43:19Stay there! Stay there!
0:43:19 > 0:43:22..and how skilfully they herd the flock.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29But, even for the best in the world, it's not always easy.
0:43:29 > 0:43:30APPLAUSE
0:43:30 > 0:43:34- ANNOUNCER:- And that's time up for Johan de Jonge.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38Our next competitor's Michael Shearer from Scotland.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Michael and his dog Bob did well in the qualifying rounds
0:43:44 > 0:43:46and have now made it into the semifinals.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52He has to make his way round the same course
0:43:52 > 0:43:55and follow the same rules as before.
0:43:55 > 0:43:57HE WHISTLES
0:43:58 > 0:44:02But only the highest 16 scores will make it through to the final.
0:44:05 > 0:44:06HE SHOUTS
0:44:10 > 0:44:12APPLAUSE
0:44:12 > 0:44:14It's been a good round.
0:44:14 > 0:44:15He's made very few mistakes.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19And, for the first time in his career,
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Michael wins a place in the finals
0:44:21 > 0:44:23of an international competition.
0:44:32 > 0:44:33Further south...
0:44:37 > 0:44:40..bull breeder Martin has torn himself away from his herd
0:44:40 > 0:44:43and is in a race to harvest his barley.
0:44:47 > 0:44:48I was up at 6:30 this morning.
0:44:50 > 0:44:51Getting the combine ready.
0:44:51 > 0:44:54When conditions are ready, you go for it.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56Every year, he plants 50 acres of crops
0:44:56 > 0:44:58to help feed the cattle
0:44:58 > 0:45:01and give the fields a break from grazing.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05He needs to harvest the barley while the sun is shining.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08The weather is due to break tomorrow.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10It's forecast rain for another five days,
0:45:10 > 0:45:13so this is probably as dry a chance as we're going to get
0:45:13 > 0:45:15to combine this field.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18When there's work to be done, you do it and that's it.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21It could be 24 hours a day, it could be four days solid.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24When you're in harvest season, you don't get much sleep.
0:45:28 > 0:45:29It's 12 o'clock
0:45:29 > 0:45:32and they've another 27 acres to get through,
0:45:32 > 0:45:35so brother Darren and dad Stevie are lending a hand.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41In their newly acquired combine,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44that separates the barley seeds from the straw,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47they are hoping to get it all done by sunset at 8pm.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49So it's a new toy for us.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51- It's a very capable machine... - WHIRRING
0:45:51 > 0:45:53a good combine.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58Martin and Stevie decided to invest in this second-hand combine
0:45:58 > 0:45:59to do their own fields
0:45:59 > 0:46:02and also bring in extra income,
0:46:02 > 0:46:04doing contract work for other farms.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06They got it cheap for £23,000.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10New models can cost around six times that.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14WHIRRING
0:46:14 > 0:46:16BEEPING
0:46:16 > 0:46:17But sometimes...
0:46:19 > 0:46:20..bargains come at a cost.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22Oh!
0:46:22 > 0:46:23WHIRRING
0:46:26 > 0:46:29They quickly identify the problem.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31The wee washer in here...
0:46:31 > 0:46:33it's bent.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35So we have to take this bolt off, drop this bar,
0:46:35 > 0:46:38take the washer out, strain it off,
0:46:38 > 0:46:40then, hopefully, put it back in.
0:46:40 > 0:46:41And it's fixed.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47Stevie has to use all his mechanical know-how to take it apart.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51THEY TALK
0:46:51 > 0:46:52Pull it, just pull it. That's it.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Oh, here it comes. Go on, Darren.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56Get your fingers in.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58All that little problem.
0:46:58 > 0:47:00- Do you want to strain it?- Yep.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06And, having fixed it,
0:47:06 > 0:47:08they need to put it back together.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10OK.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15There you go. Job done.
0:47:15 > 0:47:16See if it works now.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18WHIRRING, THEY TALK
0:47:18 > 0:47:19OK.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23The breakdown has cost them an hour.
0:47:26 > 0:47:27It's now after two
0:47:27 > 0:47:30and they've still got most of the work to get through.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35I gave Dad a high five for that.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37He's quite mechanically minded and...
0:47:37 > 0:47:39having been quite a tinkerer...
0:47:40 > 0:47:42..when you're stuck in the middle of a field,
0:47:42 > 0:47:45you just have to get on with it and use your own initiative, really.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47Especially when you've not enough time
0:47:47 > 0:47:48in the day, really.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50We're going to struggle.
0:47:50 > 0:47:54We're going to struggle for time to get things finished tonight.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57Martin stands to make nearly £6,000
0:47:57 > 0:48:00selling his barley as animal feed to other farmers.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02And the straw will save him a fortune
0:48:02 > 0:48:05on bedding and food for his cattle over the winter.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07But if he doesn't beat the rain,
0:48:07 > 0:48:10the lion's share of his harvest could be wiped out.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15This barley is ready to be cut now.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17If we'd waited another week...
0:48:17 > 0:48:19the rain could damage it, heads would start falling off,
0:48:19 > 0:48:21so you start losing yield, start losing quality.
0:48:26 > 0:48:27Two hours later...
0:48:27 > 0:48:29RAIN TRICKLES ..the rain arrives early
0:48:29 > 0:48:30and they have to stop.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37Wet barley is difficult to harvest in the combine.
0:48:37 > 0:48:38We've just finished that field there.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40We were hoping to go on and...
0:48:40 > 0:48:43start a 19-acre field down there, but the weather's beat us.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45It was forecast to come in in the early hours of the morning,
0:48:45 > 0:48:48but a light shower of rain came across us.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51Hopefully, this rain shower will pass by. It's nae heavy.
0:48:51 > 0:48:52But it's just a pest, really.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57It passes in half an hour
0:48:57 > 0:48:59and Martin is straight back in the saddle.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01WHIRRING
0:49:01 > 0:49:03Yeah, it's going to get real noisy.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10But the rain has had an impact.
0:49:13 > 0:49:14And the combine is struggling.
0:49:14 > 0:49:15WHIRRING
0:49:15 > 0:49:16ENGINE STOPS
0:49:20 > 0:49:22I think it's too damp.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24It's choking on one side.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27The way it is just now, it's going underneath the combine,
0:49:27 > 0:49:28he's tramping it and he cannae cut it.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32So he's dragging it, dragging the barley.
0:49:32 > 0:49:33WHIRRING
0:49:33 > 0:49:36So, you can see, as we come across here,
0:49:36 > 0:49:38if it's flat like this, it just makes the job harder
0:49:38 > 0:49:39to lift it off the ground.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42It's liable to jam and choke on the knife.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45Martin ploughs on.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51But just ten acres
0:49:51 > 0:49:53and over three painful hours later...
0:49:55 > 0:49:57BEEPING
0:49:57 > 0:49:58BEEPING STOPS
0:49:58 > 0:49:59Come on.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04- Come on, come on, come on. - QUIET WHIRRING
0:50:04 > 0:50:05QUIET WHIRRING
0:50:08 > 0:50:09With this new combine, the...
0:50:11 > 0:50:13..diesel gauge is a bit wonky.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15So it's telling me I had a quarter tank,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18but, obviously, it hasn't got a quarter of a tank, so...
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Running out of diesel's nae the best thing to do
0:50:20 > 0:50:22at this time of night, like, but...
0:50:22 > 0:50:24hopefully, we'll bleed her
0:50:24 > 0:50:26and she can go in the next five minutes, if that.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Dad, he's on the case right now.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33- CLATTERING - You all right, Dad?
0:50:34 > 0:50:37Once again, it's Stevie to the rescue.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41It's frustrating, just cos you know there's only
0:50:41 > 0:50:43another hour, an hour and a half left of the night.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45But we havenae got it started yet.
0:50:48 > 0:50:4930 minutes later,
0:50:49 > 0:50:51and topped up with diesel,
0:50:51 > 0:50:53it's time to try again.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55QUIET WHIRRING
0:50:55 > 0:50:56BEEPING
0:50:57 > 0:50:59- INTERMITTENT BEEPING - Here it goes.
0:50:59 > 0:51:00LOUDER WHIRRING
0:51:04 > 0:51:06Ah, it's really teasing us.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08But now, they're losing the light.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12They've eight acres to go.
0:51:16 > 0:51:17It's eight o'clock
0:51:17 > 0:51:19and, with the sun down,
0:51:19 > 0:51:20conditions are getting worse.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25The dew will start coming down pretty shortly.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27The grass starts to get a bit of dampness to it,
0:51:27 > 0:51:31starts getting sticky and doesn't flow the same through the combine.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33The combine will start telling you.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36She'll start making noises and she'll grumble and groan.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38It can change. In a matter of 15 minutes,
0:51:38 > 0:51:41it can go from being perfect cutting conditions
0:51:41 > 0:51:43to time to stop and go home.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51It's a risk to keep going.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54They can't afford to damage such an expensive bit of machinery.
0:51:55 > 0:51:56COMBINE WHIRS LOUDLY
0:52:00 > 0:52:02The combine is telling me it's time to stop.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06All that grumbling and groaning, just a bit sore on it.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11That'll do. She's telling me. She's grumbling and groaning.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13THEY TALK
0:52:13 > 0:52:14Just stick her in the shed.
0:52:17 > 0:52:18Martin must admit defeat.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25We'll wait to see what the weather does for the next couple of days.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27Hopefully, this rain'll nae linger too long
0:52:27 > 0:52:29and we'll get fine and dry weather.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32'Farming depends on the weather so much.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35'It's just nae fun when the weather's nae right.'
0:52:35 > 0:52:37But at least he's made it home
0:52:37 > 0:52:39with 80% of his harvest.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41Oh, well. That's her in bed for the night.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43And that's me going away for a cup of tea.
0:52:51 > 0:52:52SEAGULL CALLS
0:52:55 > 0:52:57North of Inverness...
0:52:57 > 0:52:59BIRDS CHEEP
0:52:59 > 0:53:01..on John Scott's farm,
0:53:01 > 0:53:05it's the final day of the World Sheep Dog Trials.
0:53:05 > 0:53:06How we doing?
0:53:06 > 0:53:08How've you been today? Have you been busy?
0:53:08 > 0:53:10'I am exhausted.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12'With the culmination of the event,'
0:53:12 > 0:53:15and being the final day and we will announce the winner.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17Really looking forward to seeing who that will be.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Fingers crossed it's a Scotsman.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23Out of 213 entrants,
0:53:23 > 0:53:25and 240 dogs,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28they're down to the last 16 finalists
0:53:28 > 0:53:30and today they'll battle it out
0:53:30 > 0:53:33to decide who will be the Sheep Dog Champion of the World.
0:53:34 > 0:53:38The event is being broadcast on Gaelic TV across Scotland.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41And, in addition to the kudos of the title,
0:53:41 > 0:53:45the winner will also get a £3,000 cash prize.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49The Scotts' family friend, Michael Shearer,
0:53:49 > 0:53:51is one of the front runners.
0:53:51 > 0:53:52- INTERVIEWER: - The last 16,
0:53:52 > 0:53:54you must be tremendously proud of that achievement.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Oh, yes. Oh, yeah. Getting through to the finals.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59I've got to the semifinals a couple of times,
0:53:59 > 0:54:01but it's the first time I've been in the finals.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05How will you feel if you walk off with that world title?
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Oh, I'd be delighted. But so would every other.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09Yeah, and they'll all be trying for it.
0:54:09 > 0:54:10APPLAUSE
0:54:10 > 0:54:13- TANNOY:- The next competitor, 264, Michael Shearer.
0:54:13 > 0:54:14APPLAUSE
0:54:17 > 0:54:19Michael and nine-year old Bob are first up.
0:54:23 > 0:54:24At this stage,
0:54:24 > 0:54:26they are in third place.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28Five points behind the leader,
0:54:28 > 0:54:30Kevin Evans from Wales.
0:54:36 > 0:54:37The finalists face a more
0:54:37 > 0:54:39WHISTLING complex and difficult course
0:54:39 > 0:54:42than in the qualifying rounds and semifinals.
0:54:42 > 0:54:43WHISTLING
0:54:46 > 0:54:48This time, they must herd
0:54:48 > 0:54:52two flocks of ten sheep around an area twice the size.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54And, instead of two judges to impress,
0:54:54 > 0:54:56this time...
0:54:56 > 0:54:57there are five.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02Points are deducted for mistakes.
0:55:02 > 0:55:03WHISTLING
0:55:05 > 0:55:07If Michael is to overtake the leader,
0:55:07 > 0:55:09he can't afford to make too many.
0:55:10 > 0:55:11WHISTLING
0:55:13 > 0:55:16The trickiest section is separating, or shedding,
0:55:16 > 0:55:18five sheep with red collars
0:55:18 > 0:55:20from the rest of the flock.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23That's it, that's it.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25That's it, that's it.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27MICHAEL TALKS
0:55:27 > 0:55:29And then the final test
0:55:29 > 0:55:31is herding these five into the pen.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:55:39 > 0:55:41Michael finishes within time,
0:55:41 > 0:55:42and with a high score
0:55:42 > 0:55:46of 691 out of 850,
0:55:46 > 0:55:47which pushes him into the lead.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49Oh, I'm delighted. Yeah, yeah.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Just really happy at the time.
0:55:51 > 0:55:53But there's a lot of good dogs to come,
0:55:53 > 0:55:55so, at the moment, it's looking good.
0:55:55 > 0:55:56But we will wait and see.
0:55:58 > 0:56:00Now it's the turn of Michael's biggest rival,
0:56:00 > 0:56:03Kevin Evans from Wales,
0:56:03 > 0:56:05and his dog, Greg.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07COMMENTATOR SPEAKS GAELIC:
0:56:09 > 0:56:12He's been performing consistently well.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14And, if he has a good run,
0:56:14 > 0:56:16Michael won't stand a chance.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19COMMENTATOR SPEAKS GAELIC:
0:56:25 > 0:56:26WHISTLING, KEVIN SHOUTS
0:56:30 > 0:56:32The sheep have hesitated.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34APPLAUSE AND CHEERING And have cost his rival ten points.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36APPLAUSE
0:56:36 > 0:56:39But will it be enough for Michael to hold on to the lead?
0:56:39 > 0:56:41- KEVIN:- Lie down, lie down!
0:56:41 > 0:56:42APPLAUSE, DOG BARKS
0:56:42 > 0:56:46- TANNOY:- Now, the winner of the World Championship 2014...
0:56:49 > 0:56:50..Michael Shearer...
0:56:50 > 0:56:52APPLAUSE DROWNS SPEECH
0:56:52 > 0:56:54CHEERING AND WHISTLING
0:56:57 > 0:57:00For John and his wife Fiona,
0:57:00 > 0:57:03it's the culmination of two years' hard work.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06And Michael's win a poignant reminder
0:57:06 > 0:57:08of John's father-in-law.
0:57:08 > 0:57:09APPLAUSE AND WHISTLING
0:57:12 > 0:57:14Brilliant. Just fantastic.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16I'm just wrapped. Just...
0:57:17 > 0:57:19..yeah.
0:57:19 > 0:57:20LAUGHTER
0:57:20 > 0:57:21- Well-deserved.- Michael.
0:57:23 > 0:57:25Very happy.
0:57:25 > 0:57:27Very happy. Holding back tears.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29Fiona's crying for me.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32- Congratulations. - Thank you.- Well done.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35- FIONA:- 'It was just the icing on the cake when Michael won.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38'Dad would have been...
0:57:38 > 0:57:40'probably in tears, as well.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43'It would have meant a huge amount to him.'
0:57:43 > 0:57:45DOG BARKS
0:57:45 > 0:57:46'These memories that we have today
0:57:46 > 0:57:48'will live with me for a long time. Forever.'
0:57:48 > 0:57:50APPLAUSE
0:57:50 > 0:57:52It means an awful lot to us.
0:57:52 > 0:57:53An awful lot.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56APPLAUSE
0:57:58 > 0:57:59Next time...
0:57:59 > 0:58:01WOMAN SHOUTS
0:58:01 > 0:58:04..Martin and Mel put their new tups to the test...
0:58:04 > 0:58:06- SHEEP BLEAT - He knows what he's doing.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08'The only thing that they need to do'
0:58:08 > 0:58:10- is stay alive and make babies.- Yeah.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12..Sandy heads south
0:58:12 > 0:58:14to hand-deliver his prized mutton...
0:58:14 > 0:58:16We always give warning.
0:58:16 > 0:58:19Danger - eating this meat
0:58:19 > 0:58:21could spoil your palate for the ordinary stuff.
0:58:23 > 0:58:27..and John attends the Oscars of the farming world.
0:58:27 > 0:58:30The winner of the Sheep Farmer of the Year is...