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 > 0:00:10This is not a bad office, is it? You know, look at it.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..Scotland's farmers carve a living.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Everything has a time and a season.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Nature doesn't stop.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Breeding sheep and cattle...
0:00:19 > 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 > 0:00:31..bringing new life into the world... HE BLOWS
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..and battling with the elements.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35HE WHISTLES
0:00:35 > 0:00:36They're all cute in their own way,
0:00:36 > 0:00:40and especially if they end up on your plate as a lamb chop - yum.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- Over a year, five very different families...- Yay!
0:00:45 > 0:00:47..let cameras onto 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 > 0:00:56- I don't know why you want the... - Do you need to do this?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..and their triumphs.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- SHE GASPS - Look at my baby.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02He's alive.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06..as they try and turn a profit in testing economic times.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Well, that's just depressing, that, really.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10There's cause for celebration...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Gorgeous.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14..and a time to reflect.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16I feel sad that I haven't provided
0:01:16 > 0:01:19the next generation to carry on here.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20But it's never dull
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- THEY CHUCKLE - I'm not letting go!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's not a job - it's a way of life.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41It's summer in Scotland.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47COWS MOO
0:01:47 > 0:01:50A time of year that many of the farmers look forward to.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Summer's finally here and I love it.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58I can finally get out of my wellies and waterproofs.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Cows are all outside,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03the grass is lush and green, everything is thriving,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05calves, sheep, lambs,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07And for the farmer, it is the best time of year
0:02:07 > 0:02:09because we get outside and enjoy the sun.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12When the weather's right, farming's a great job and I enjoy it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24In the north east of Scotland,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28Martin Irvine has a herd of 168 pedigree Limousin.
0:02:30 > 0:02:31During the summer months,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35his cows and calves graze the fields,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39but his bulls stay in a shed where they can be closely monitored.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Twice a year,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Martin makes life-changing decisions about his young bull calves.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49By the time they're ten months old, you can see in them the potential
0:02:49 > 0:02:51whether they're going to be breeding bulls
0:02:51 > 0:02:54or they're going to go into the pen with the beef burger bulls.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Martin's main business is selling the very best of his stock
0:03:00 > 0:03:03to other farmers as breeding bulls.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06He selects those good enough to make the grade from a young age.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09So, these boys are ten months old,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12and already, these bulls have got, visually,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15the make-up on them to look the part.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17So, you can see this lad here,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20nice muscly wee bull, nice muscly bum, looks the part,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23and at that age, I can tell...I can tell by looking at him,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26that he's going to be a bull that's going to stay at this side.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30But not every calf shows the same promise.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34So, you've got three bulls here.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37So, you've got a big lad...you've got a big lad here.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40He's nae going to have the same shape as some of them,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42but he's got potential to be a big bull and fill out,
0:03:42 > 0:03:43so I'll chance him.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46I think he's maybe got the making of being a bull.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48But you've got the bull in the corner here.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52He's just nae got the same shape, he's nae got the same character.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56He lacks size, he hasn't got the biggest, shapiest kind of body.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58He's just nae right on his legs
0:03:58 > 0:04:01so...I would imagine...barley beef pen.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10The bulls destined for breeding are given expensive high-protein feed
0:04:10 > 0:04:12to keep them in top condition.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15The rest are fed on a barley-based feed,
0:04:15 > 0:04:20which is a third of the price, and will eventually go to slaughter.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21You've to be cruel to be kind,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23and feed the best and kill the rest.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31This year's cream of the crop are ten-month-old Limousin, Jock,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34and 15-month-old Jagermeister,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Martin's only British Charolais bull.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42He mainly breeds Limousin, but keeps a few Charolais as a hobby.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Tie him up, I'll do the Lim first.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Martin and his dad, Stevie, have chosen this pair
0:04:47 > 0:04:50to enter into the Royal Highland Show,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53the most prestigious show in the farming calendar.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Over the past 30 years,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58they've won top prizes for their Limousin,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02but never a red rosette for a Charolais.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Before they can go,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07there's one accessory no bull can do without.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Every bull needs a ring in their nose,
0:05:10 > 0:05:11so just need to ring these two guys now.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14It's just control, really.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16A bull's a big strong animal,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and once you've got control of his nose,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20he'll learn if he ever misbehaves
0:05:20 > 0:05:22or goes somewhere he shouldn't be going,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24you can just tap that ring, and it's just control.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27It's a sensitive part of the bull.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29And they're big, they're powerful.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32The process of inserting the copper ring
0:05:32 > 0:05:35is like ear piercing in humans
0:05:35 > 0:05:36but on a larger scale.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39What you've got is a punch, like a belt punch, really.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43There's a punch with a hole here onto a soft bit of leather.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45This will go in, it'll pinch his nose.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47So, where it's like...
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I'll pinch the bit of skin just before the cartilage.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53So, I'll take a bite, I'll pull it away from the cartilage,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55and that'll put a hole right through his nose,
0:05:55 > 0:05:56take away a bit of skin.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00And then I'll come in with the ring,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02feed that through the hole,
0:06:02 > 0:06:03close it...
0:06:05 > 0:06:07..and with this screw here, screw it in
0:06:07 > 0:06:09and then snap it off,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and that'll leave it all locked up, and there's a bull with his ring.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14He will feel it, it's going to...
0:06:14 > 0:06:15It's nae as painful as you think -
0:06:15 > 0:06:17it'll be more discomfort for a second.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19The quicker we do it, the better, really.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26So, we're going to apply a bit of pressure.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Stand, stand, stand.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29And then...
0:06:34 > 0:06:36There we go.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39We're left with a hole here, and I'll feed it through.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44And that's him officially a man, a bull.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48I see it every time the young bulls come in,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50they go through stages of growth.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52If there's any problems, any defects,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55they don't make it as far as this bull.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Once they get their bling, it's official -
0:06:56 > 0:06:58they're going to be a bull.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01They're worthy of us taking them out to sales and stuff like that.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05It's Jagermeister's turn.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13BULL GROANS
0:07:13 > 0:07:15If they weren't getting a ring,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17they'd go into a different pen and be fed up
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and they'd be going away into burgers and steaks and...
0:07:21 > 0:07:22So, to be honest, that bit of pain there
0:07:22 > 0:07:24means they're going to have a better life.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29It will be sore for a few days,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31but they will soon adjust to their new ring
0:07:31 > 0:07:32that they'll keep on for life.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And they're one step closer to the Royal Highland Show.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46In the far north of Scotland, north of Inverness,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50large-scale farmer John Scott also breeds pedigree bulls.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Today, he's checking on his 14-month-old shorthorns
0:07:55 > 0:07:57who've had their nose rings in for two months.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01These bulls here were born April 2014.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04They've developed the bond with us, really,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06since...well, since they've been weaned off Mum.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09They know us, we give them some feed every day,
0:08:09 > 0:08:10and...you know, they're very quiet.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13They can stand here, we can talk to them.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Shorthorns are a breed originating from the north east of England
0:08:16 > 0:08:19in the late 18th century.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22John's been breeding them for 20 years.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25You get to know livestock, and they've all got different natures.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29You know, some are a bit more... Suppose they're a bit like people.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31You know, some are a bit more flighty and nervous
0:08:31 > 0:08:35and others are much calmer and more laid back.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37And the great thing about the shorthorn breed,
0:08:37 > 0:08:38which is what we breed a lot of,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40is that they're a very docile breed to work with.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47John's also planning to take a bull to the Royal Highland Show,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49but is still to decide which one.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55East of Inverness,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Martin's taking a break from farm work.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02He and fiancee, Mel, are getting married in a month's time.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05So, I'm skiving this afternoon.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08I'm heading to the kilt shop to see Margaret.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10So, I bought my kilt two years ago,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14and it just never fitted properly, and it was just...just not right.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16So, I've left it in the hands of Margaret,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18and she's resized it.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20So, this is me going back for a final fitting
0:09:20 > 0:09:22to see if it all fits properly.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Mel also has a meeting to get to.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Currently driving to go see my dad,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37who works as a gillie on the River Spey,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40which is where we're having our wedding ceremony.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42And I love my daddy.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Hi.- How are you? - I'm fine. How are you?
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Mel's dad, Ian, used to be a dairy farmer.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53He's been working as a gillie,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56guiding visiting fishermen for the last seven years.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Let's do some fishing.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01SHE GIGGLES
0:10:01 > 0:10:05'It'll be five years past October that me and Mel have been together.'
0:10:05 > 0:10:06Come on!
0:10:06 > 0:10:08I'd say I'm marrying my best friend.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Come on!
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- IAN WHISTLES - Come on, little dog.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14'Best day was when I proposed, actually.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16'She never seen it coming, she had no idea.'
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So, when the day did come and I did drop down on one knee and...
0:10:20 > 0:10:23..propose, she hadn't a clue it was coming,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26so it was quite a romantic surprise to her.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Do you like my jacket? I thought it was quite apt.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30'He's a good lad.'
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Asked for my permission to marry my daughter.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37He was absolutely bricking it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Yeah, I think he was pretty panicky.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- SHE LAUGHS - He was pretty panicky.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44He'll hate me saying that.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45But he was.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48He told me he felt nervous about asking Dad, as anyone would.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51It's a bit of a daunting thing, but...
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Cos it was a windy day, wasn't it? - It was a windy day.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- You couldn't hear him on the phone. - I could hear him all right.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- I just needed time to think about it.- Oh, right.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00SHE CHUCKLES
0:11:05 > 0:11:08She's got them in the corner here. Look at that.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09She's so well organised.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11"This is like Amsterdam," she's thinking.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14THEY LAUGH
0:11:14 > 0:11:15Don't be waving her in now.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23So, there'll be 105 in the marquee just behind us.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24We'll have the ceremony here.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28One o'clock is the time that the ceremony starts,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30so I am 100% sure I'm not going to be late.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- Look at the white legs. - Scary stuff.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36They don't see much sunlight.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38'I'm not giving her away.'
0:11:40 > 0:11:41I'm lending her.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44I quite like me in a kilt.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47It's just...just a Scottish kind of thing, and...
0:11:47 > 0:11:48If you're wearing a kilt,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51there's usually a night out to follow it, so it's quite nice.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53It's quite freeing.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55HE CHUCKLES
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Yeah, I like it. Like it very much.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59Yeah, chuffed.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05While Mel and Martin are out,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Martin's brother, Darren, is at a neighbouring farm
0:12:08 > 0:12:11stirring up some trouble for the unsuspecting couple.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12Catch!
0:12:12 > 0:12:15THEY LAUGH
0:12:15 > 0:12:17They're planning a blackening,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21a very Scottish ritual that happens in the weeks running up to a wedding.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Couples getting married, it's like a rite of passage.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28It's just everyone's granting them...
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Saying good luck...well, congratulations kind of stuff.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32So, you get a blackening,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34so it's good will for when they get married
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and onwards and upwards for them, like.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41The plan is to cover - or blacken - Martin and Mel
0:12:41 > 0:12:45with a mixture of anything they can get their hands on.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47As bad as it is, it's good for the couple.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52They start with a brown liquid called potale,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54a by-product of the whisky-making process.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56And there's more to add.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00There'll be flour, eggs,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03feathers, tomato sauce.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07I've a couple of tins of dog food at home.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08It's an ancient tradition
0:13:08 > 0:13:11that was originally designed to ward off evil spirits.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14It's quite a messy job.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18It'll be fun while...while it's happening.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Now they just need to choose their moment to strike.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46In central Scotland, near Loch Lomond,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49sheep farmer Anne Lennox is busy in the kitchen.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52I've cooked chicken for lunch.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58Anne prepares the meals on the farm every single day, all year round.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02So she's looking forward to a day off at the Royal Highland Show.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04And Kay and the kids are coming too.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09So we're having a family day out, with the grandweans.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10It'll be a riot.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Anne and husband Bobby aren't showing any sheep.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18It's Bobby who's taking part in a competition.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20This year I've got myself landed
0:14:20 > 0:14:22with the Vice President of the Young Farmers,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I've now got to take part in the Young Farmer Bakeoff Competition
0:14:25 > 0:14:27on the stage outside the Young Farmers Centre.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31What I have to bake I have no idea,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33and I won't know until I go on stage.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36He's in it to win it. He'll be quite serious about this.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38As long as there's not a tasting session!
0:14:46 > 0:14:48I'll maybe have a dummy run at an omelette,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52and I'll maybe have a dummy run at pancakes, if I can get time.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Not saying it'll be very good or come out what it's supposed
0:14:56 > 0:14:58to look like, but I'll get it done.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03For today at least, Anne has control of the kitchen.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11On the other side of Scotland, Martin's preparing himself
0:15:11 > 0:15:14for a very Scottish ritual in the run-up to his wedding
0:15:14 > 0:15:19with Mel in four weeks' time called the blackening.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21'We know it's going to be coming, we don't know when it's coming.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24'But when it's going to come, I ken it's going to be bad
0:15:24 > 0:15:26'because I've been at a couple of blackenings myself
0:15:26 > 0:15:28'and I make sure we make a good job, who we get.'
0:15:28 > 0:15:30So, there's feathers, there's eggs, there's flour,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33there's tomato sauce, there's salad cream.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35They can go really worse and there could be...
0:15:37 > 0:15:39..bull manure.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40There could be anything,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and long as I'm not tied naked to a lamppost in the middle
0:15:43 > 0:15:46of the street, I'll be quite happy, like, but that's the worst bit.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49You don't know what they're going to do to you and they're going to make
0:15:49 > 0:15:52a right fool of you and it's going to come, it's an inevitability
0:15:52 > 0:15:54but when it comes I'll be running.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57They'd better realise they're going to have to run and catch me
0:15:57 > 0:15:58because I'm nae going to hang about.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01As long as I can outrun Mel, I'm going to be quite happy.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06With Martin and Mel busy elsewhere on the farm,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Darren's decided today is the day to pounce.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11We're out the way just in case
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Martin wants to take a wee venture back across.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16He just left in the past five minutes.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I'll make up a good heap of these and
0:16:20 > 0:16:22get all this stuff mixed into pails.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24And then we'll go and get them.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28An army of friends and family are an essential part of the proceedings.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- Chase them through the parks, like!- There they are.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- Come on!- Now, we can do it the easy way or the hard way.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42THEY YELP
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Now there's no getting away.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Oh, that's...
0:16:58 > 0:17:00One, two, three!
0:17:06 > 0:17:08THEY LAUGH
0:17:19 > 0:17:22SHE SCREAMS
0:17:25 > 0:17:27THEY LAUGH
0:17:29 > 0:17:30What's an egg?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Martin's dad Stevie doesn't escape either.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- 'So we will now say we've been well and truly...- Blackened.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56'..blackened.'
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Bah!
0:17:57 > 0:17:59It's a success! A messy one.
0:18:01 > 0:18:02Tastes horrible.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08'But it's done now so now I don't have to worry about it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- 'And now we're going to have a drink and...- Yeah, have a night out.'
0:18:27 > 0:18:32In the west of Scotland, hill farmers Sybil and George Macpherson
0:18:32 > 0:18:34are welcoming home their cows and new calves.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36You're OK, girls.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Just steady, steady, steady, steady.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41They're still feeling a bit spooky having come home,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45from their winter shed quarters, to the great outdoors.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50They're cross Limousin cattle, a continental breed,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53not suited to living outdoors during a Scottish winter.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58So every year, Sybil and George pay a lowland farm to house them
0:18:58 > 0:19:01in sheds as they don't have this facility themselves.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Cattle's returning was delayed by about three weeks this year
0:19:05 > 0:19:09because the weather was so cold and wet,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11there was absolutely no grass here to bring them home to.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14You're OK, girls.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's important just to let them settle down, it's a huge transition,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20coming out of a shed and a big journey on a lorry.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23So you know, we have to keep a careful eye on them,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26for that first week or two, really, when they first come home.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Many of the cows calved while they were away.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34For them, probably this year, it was very much a good idea
0:19:34 > 0:19:36that they, most of them calved away from home,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39in a sheltered shed rather than being outside
0:19:39 > 0:19:43during the month of May, which was so exceptionally cold and wet here.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45There's a wee calf there with his mum.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49With such young calves now a part of the herd,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Sybil and George are being cautious.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Will you let me come close to you?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Hello, Squeaky! No?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59You've just got to be wary of them, especially when they're
0:19:59 > 0:20:03like a wee baby born, can stir the maternal instinct of the other cows.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07COW MOOS
0:20:07 > 0:20:11It's great to see them home, really, especially when the weather's
0:20:11 > 0:20:15reasonable like it is today and it's got a bit milder, and,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18well, the calves are just the next generation
0:20:18 > 0:20:20and they play and fight and
0:20:20 > 0:20:23have fun just like any youngster, and it's great to watch them.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Hello. You come and speak?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It will take a few days for the mothers and calves
0:20:29 > 0:20:31to get used to being outdoors.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33They're just spooked with all the outside noises still
0:20:33 > 0:20:36a wee bit, aren't they? Look, they're all kind of...
0:20:36 > 0:20:38But it won't be long before they're let out to the hills.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49In Drummuir, in the east of Scotland,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51it's the morning of Mel and Martin's wedding.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58But before Martin can get ready, there's work to be done.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Just fill them level, to the top.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05'Me and my best man Jason and my brothers,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07'we've had our breakfast and now,'
0:21:07 > 0:21:09cos nobody's going to be here all day,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11we're just going to feed up the bulls.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14They get fed three times a day, so we're pretty much giving,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17we're going to give them their three feeders on a winner
0:21:17 > 0:21:19and that'll last them the whole day.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22It never makes a difference what we're doing or going way,
0:21:22 > 0:21:23these jobs still need done.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28So it's just the same as normal, really, but just a bit faster.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Right, two pails, each pen.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38For Mel, her bridesmaids and mum Jane,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41celebrations are already underway.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- Chin.- See it away.- Chin. - See it away now.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45No, I'm not seeing it away.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Definitely not till later, anyway.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53'Martin's over at the farm, just across the road.'
0:21:53 > 0:21:55I don't know what he's doing.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Drinking, maybe. Having a cider out in the sun.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Why is he so last minute? All he needs is to get a shower.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Shove the coat on and I'm done. - I know.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10'Yeah, I'd say she's changed my life.'
0:22:10 > 0:22:13When you're younger, and you are actually going out with someone,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15you don't actually know where you're going,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17but now I know where I'm going, so it's quite nice.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I know what we're looking forward to and stuff like that,
0:22:20 > 0:22:21know where we want to be.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22I don't know.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Have you talked about the future, have you got plans?
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Babies, babies, more babies.- Really?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- And when are they going to be starting?- Don't know.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33If I'm fit, they'll be here tomorrow morning.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Martin would like a football team.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45And I was like, "Maybe no. Three maybe?" I don't know.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46- That'd be a nice number.- Yeah.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Mel wants to be on the case pretty quick, to be honest.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51She's very broody. Very, very broody.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55You can't force kids into doing what they want, so I would
0:22:55 > 0:22:58encourage them to whatever they wanted to do, but it would be nice
0:22:58 > 0:23:01if they wanted to do the farm and we could just keep it going.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02It would be nice.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05She'll be starting to stress a bit now.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08It'll have been OK at the start but then she'll start panicking
0:23:08 > 0:23:10cos she needs to get time, and time and time.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11She promised me she won't be late,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13she'll be there at one o'clock, so we'll see.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16Is it 20 past 11?
0:23:17 > 0:23:21You should really be out of here by then, then, Anne Marie.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22You ready, Davy?
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Aye.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27I'm going to get changed to my dress,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30and it's kick-off down at the river.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32We all ready? Yeah, we're all good to go.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51The guests have arrived at the marquee
0:23:51 > 0:23:53on the bank of the River Spey.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding to welcome our bride.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- I, Martin, take you, Melissa. - I, Martin, take you, Melissa.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- To be my lawful wife. - To be my lawful wife.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36To have and to hold.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- From this day forward. - From this day forward.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41For better or for worse.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- For richer or for poorer. - For richer or for poorer.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46In sickness and in health.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48For as long as we both shall live.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50THEY LAUGH
0:24:51 > 0:24:55You are now husband and wife. Martin, you may kiss the bride.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59THEY APPLAUD AND CHEER
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Friends, I give you Mr and Mrs Irvine.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12THEY CHEER
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- IAN:- 'Delighted. Absolutely delighted. Couldn't be better.'
0:25:25 > 0:25:27There we go!
0:25:27 > 0:25:29'I did have a tear in my eye, I have to say,'
0:25:29 > 0:25:33when the ceremony went on but it was good, yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36'Good to see everybody, lots of friends there, family.'
0:25:37 > 0:25:39An excellent evening, I hope.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Let the party begin properly.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Bring it on! - THEY LAUGH
0:25:44 > 0:25:46THEY CHEER
0:25:57 > 0:25:59At the start, when me and Mel started going out,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03she would stay at mine at the weekends, and me and Dad,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05we'd go out and feed the cows morning and afternoon,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08and Mel wasn't far behind in her wellies and waterproofs,
0:26:08 > 0:26:09to give us a hand to feed up.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13And I always said, "They'd be no use to me if they can't feed the bulls."
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Well, Mel, she can feed the bulls.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And this is one way I knew that she was the one.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24And ever since then, all our happiness
0:26:24 > 0:26:27and all our fun's been in about the farm, the cows, the bulls,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30the shows, the sales, and of course, little Tilly dog.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35And, I can honestly say it's great to be married to my best friend.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44# But I can't help
0:26:44 > 0:26:53# Falling in love with you. #
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Let's hear a round of applause once again.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08The night's well on, the evening guests are all appearing,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12the party's started and a good day, really good day,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16the weather's been great and we're married.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18We've just shown our love to everyone, haven't we?
0:27:18 > 0:27:19It's just the people, isn't it?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22We've invited everybody we like so the whole party's
0:27:22 > 0:27:25full of people that we know and love and enjoy company with
0:27:25 > 0:27:29and it's just, you like everybody and you just... Oh, it's great.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Just chuffed.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36CEILIDH MUSIC PLAYS
0:27:55 > 0:27:57As summer rolls on,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00the day-to-day work of caring for the animals continues.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06And the highlight of the summer farming calendar,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, is just days away.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21On the east side of Scotland, Mr and Mrs Irvine are freshly home
0:28:21 > 0:28:24from their honeymoon in Tenerife, and straight back to work.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Mel manages over 500 sheep for the estate they rent their farm from.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Boys! Keep going.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Today, the plan is to shear half the flock.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43So today, we're clipping all the gimmers, just all the young sheep.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46These sheep have never had lambs before so, there's 260 of them,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48plus the ten tups.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51It's like getting your hair cut, really.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54They've got their massive fleece on that you'll see behind us,
0:28:54 > 0:28:55and then they shrink...
0:28:57 > 0:28:59..to little old sheepies that they are.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06It's a lot of work, so the whole family is helping out.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Dad, he's packing, and Darren, he's keeping the sheep and the rest.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14It's a fast day today.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16At the moment, we've got the two clippers,
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Graham and Alistair there,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21and I'm just going to keep their feet clean,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23so as they're clipping, I'm removing the wool.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26You can't really leave our sheep with all this wool
0:29:26 > 0:29:28cos it just grows and grows and grows.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30If you don't shear them,
0:29:30 > 0:29:35they can get dirty and then flies come and lay their eggs on it
0:29:35 > 0:29:37and then, the eggs turn into maggots
0:29:37 > 0:29:41and the maggots actually eat sheep alive.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46So, and plus, I wouldn't like to be stuck with that on me
0:29:46 > 0:29:49for years cos it gets hot, it needs clipped.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52They've hired in expert shearers
0:29:52 > 0:29:55who can remove an entire fleece in one go,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57quickly and without harming the sheep.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01But these guys just make it look so easy.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04It's just like poetry in motion, they're just, feeling it
0:30:04 > 0:30:05and their hands just go there.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08They don't really have to think, they just, their hands just go.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10They just make it look so easy.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14And hopefully later, there'll be a third shearer coming in later
0:30:14 > 0:30:17and things will really hot up and we'll have to go real fast.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21They've set aside the afternoon to shear.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26Everyone gets stuck in, but a summer job indoors has its downsides.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Martin's brother Darren is feeling the heat.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Really, really hot day. Not even a breeze in the air.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37I mean, it's really humid in this shed right now.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Of course, pushing and shoving and ramping and rolling.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44It's just an ongoing bloody heat wave.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48It's a lot of effort but not a money-spinner.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52Farmers used to make more from a sheep's fleece than from the meat.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Not any more.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59Yeah, it'll be about 75 pence per fleece. So, it's not a lot.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01It covers the cost for the clippers, really.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03That's what you're more worried about.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05The wool is sold to the Wool Marketing Board,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07who then clean it, dye it,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11and sell it on to manufacturers of carpets and clothes.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Somebody's making money somewhere.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15The farmer sees nothing.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17He actually loses money, just get rid of it.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22It's four hours of hard hot work, but with a third shearer,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26John, stepping in, the finishing line is in sight.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28OK, we're down to the final three sheep.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30So, just for a bit of banter with the boys,
0:31:30 > 0:31:31we're going to have a race.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Three, two, one.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- SHEARS WHIZ - And they're off.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Graham's done his belly. Graham's on the belly.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Graham's in the lead.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43Ali's got down.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Graham's catching up again there.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50Do we have the neck?
0:31:50 > 0:31:51Al is done.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56- Done.- Done.- Yeah!
0:31:58 > 0:31:59First place.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04In just one minute and 14 seconds, Alistair gets the prize!
0:32:04 > 0:32:05Job well done.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Ali marks for getting first.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- What is it? A biscuit.- A biscuit!
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- Further north, near Inverness... - Good morning.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28..John has selected the one animal he wants to take
0:32:28 > 0:32:30to the Royal Highland Show.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33This bull we bought about three years ago now
0:32:33 > 0:32:36and his name is Dakota of Upsall.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37And he's just a real character.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40As far as shorthorn bulls go,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42I think he's one of the best in the country at the moment.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45He's tall, he's got a good top line, he's well muscled here.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Good depth of thigh there.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52And a good temperament, which is important in shorthorns.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56They are a very mild-mannered cattle.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59So, yeah, so going to the Highland Show
0:32:59 > 0:33:01which is the big show in Scotland.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04It's a cracking show, we're taking him down there
0:33:04 > 0:33:07to compete against lots of other animals of this breed.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13But five-year-old Dakota does have one impediment.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19He had an unfortunate accident in which he tried to serve a cow
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and broke his vital organ.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25So he can't serve cows naturally any more,
0:33:25 > 0:33:26which isn't much fun for him.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29But we still manage to get semen collected from him,
0:33:29 > 0:33:32so we can use that and we can still breed from him,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35even though he actually doesn't do the job himself.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Dakota has a penile haematoma,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40a common injury for breeding bulls,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43where the penis is bent during mating,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45leading to tearing and swelling.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Despite this, he still has impeccable genetics,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53and John remains optimistic of his chances.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56It'll take a pretty good bull to beat him in the big bull class
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and after that, you just don't know.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Overall shorthorn champion, that would be a fairytale
0:34:04 > 0:34:05if we could do that.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Especially because he's such a character.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10He's a great advert for the breed and he's a pleasure to have around.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11So, fingers crossed.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25At the Irvines, it's the end of a long day,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27but Mel and Martin still have work to do.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35The shearing done, this evening they're taking Jagermeister,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39Jock and two heifers out into the field for some much-needed practice.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44So what we've got here is the show team for the Highland Show.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48So any spare time we get, we'll bring out the four together.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Walk them in the field.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Get them used to the show stick and used to different surroundings.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56So we've got Jock here, he's 11 months old,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59he'll be in the baby bull class at the Highland Show.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Then we've got my Charolais, Jagermeister.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04And he'll be 15, 16 months old.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07What we've got here is just young stock, so we're never really
0:35:07 > 0:35:09going to win a championship or anything, cos they're young.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12If we're in the top half of our class, we'll be happy with that.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17Unlike John, Martin doesn't have high expectations for his bulls.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19BULL BELLOWS
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Although Mel is more hopeful.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24I think the Charolais will do well cos he is a good bull.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27He's nice, he's just quite different.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32Charolais are usually, can lack a nice head and bum,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34but he's got, got it all, really.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38He's more like a Limmy but, but white. And that's good.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Which might be a good thing or a bad thing for a Charolais.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Well, that's true, it just depends what the judge likes.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Some Charolais boys might just want a big rangy, powerful square bull.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51But for us, we look for that kind of smart style, nice backside.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54We are competitive, we do like to win
0:35:54 > 0:35:57but any ticket at the Highland Show's a good ticket.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58Fifth, sixth, still a good ticket.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21The Royal Highland Show is just a day away.
0:36:24 > 0:36:25On the Isle of Lewis
0:36:25 > 0:36:27in the Outer Hebrides,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30ex-barrister turned crofter Sandy Granville...
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Away!
0:36:32 > 0:36:35..breeds Highland cattle and blackface sheep.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37HE WHISTLES
0:36:37 > 0:36:40And today, he's also getting his pride and joy ready
0:36:40 > 0:36:41for the big event.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52It's a Triumph Trophy. Four-cylinder 1,200 CC.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55It's a beautifully comfortable touring bike.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57Runs like a bird.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04I used to have motorbikes 25 years ago
0:37:04 > 0:37:09and Ali rather banned me from riding the motorbike then.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13But at some careless moment, she said I could have one when I was 60.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19So I when I was 60, one of my first acts was to go out
0:37:19 > 0:37:21and buy this thing.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Travelling to the Royal Highland Show
0:37:26 > 0:37:28is the perfect opportunity for a road trip.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Not sure it's made for little crofters like us.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38It's, it's something rather more for big farmers.
0:37:38 > 0:37:44But I'll look at the huge tractors and huge continental cattle
0:37:44 > 0:37:46and no doubt, we'll enjoy it.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52Edinburgh is 300 miles away and will involve two ferry crossings
0:37:52 > 0:37:55to the mainland, followed by a day's hard riding.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57HE REVS ENGINE
0:37:59 > 0:38:00Yeah, it'd be nice if the sun shone.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Just as long as it doesn't pour with rain on me, I'll be quite happy.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Soon, everyone is setting off for the Royal Highland Show.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- Bye-bye, darling.- See you, tootsie. Be safe.- Yeah, see you later.- Yep.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Right, has everybody got everything? This is your last chance.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Good journey down, A9 was a bit slow.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40But once we got past the A9 onto Perth, you're away, like.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43And no queuing getting into here, so it's fine.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46So what we'll do, we'll go find our pen, unload the beasts,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48put them into the wash bay,
0:38:48 > 0:38:52come back, set my pen and settle in for the night.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01The Royal Highland Show started nearly 200 years ago
0:39:01 > 0:39:03and is the most prestigious agricultural show
0:39:03 > 0:39:05in the Scottish farming calendar,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08attracting 180,000 visitors.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Over four days, 2,000 exhibitors
0:39:15 > 0:39:18and farmers come to showcase their produce.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26The sheep and cattle farmers enter their very best beasts
0:39:26 > 0:39:29into a series of competitions,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32each hopeful for the world-class kudos
0:39:32 > 0:39:34of a Royal Highland Show rosette and ticket.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40Martin and Mel are preparing young Jock for the Limousin competition.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Martin's asked Mel to show him
0:39:44 > 0:39:46but she's not thrilled at handling the lively bull.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51I haven't done much with this boy at home, so...
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Should be fine. If not, I'll blame Martin.
0:39:57 > 0:40:0011-month-old Jock has never been to a show before,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03and is surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Just stand there, mannie.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Waiting to enter the ring,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Jock is not in the mood to cooperate with Mel.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19You don't like me, do you? Will you take him?
0:40:23 > 0:40:26'He's just not happy and I'd rather Martin took him than me
0:40:26 > 0:40:29'make a fool of the bull and myself in there.'
0:40:29 > 0:40:31'If I made a bad job of it,'
0:40:31 > 0:40:33you know, Martin might not have been
0:40:33 > 0:40:36that happy so I'd rather just leave it to him.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- Is that right?- Aye. - Is that OK to say? Yeah.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Each bull is entered into a class according to his age.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Jock is in the youngest bull class,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53up against other Limousins under a year old.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59They're all inexperienced but Jock is playing up more than the others.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04I just get frustrated when they behave like that.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09This is his first time out in a show so, to be honest,
0:41:09 > 0:41:10he's doing not too bad.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15But could be better behaved. He's walking better now.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20So the judge has judged them all individually,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22and now, they'll walk round the ring,
0:41:22 > 0:41:26and he'll assess their walking and their appearance and shape.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29I don't think we'll be first.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Or second.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34Or third.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Right now, Jock looks like he's coming last.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42And Jock is just being a rascal.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Oh, no! We're not now. We're not last.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Oh, we're not last!
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Not quite. He scrapes through, coming sixth out of seven,
0:41:54 > 0:41:59which means he just manages to get a coveted Royal Highland Show rosette.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05That was his first time out and he was a little bit of a monkey.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07He just wouldn't set a pace
0:42:07 > 0:42:10but I knew he's not enough turn of head, he's not full enough.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12But he'll have another day.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15And I managed to squeeze in a rosette so, excellent.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Jock has gone as far as he can.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22But Martin still has Jagermeister to show.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Alongside the show rings,
0:42:28 > 0:42:32the event attracts stall holders selling all kinds of products
0:42:32 > 0:42:35and there are stands for country-related organisations.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- Hello there, how are you? - Very well, Sybil.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39- Haven't seen you for ages.- No!
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Sybil is the Chair of the Scottish branch
0:42:41 > 0:42:44of the National Sheep Association, so she's manning their tent.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Husband George is having a day off.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51It's just to catch up with people.
0:42:51 > 0:42:52Especially the way the weather's been,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54folk are needing a wee lift in their spirits.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Do you like good meat?
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Ali has flown over from Lewis to join Sandy,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04who's on a mission to spread the word about his Hebridean mutton.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Hello, do you like good meat?
0:43:06 > 0:43:07Do you like good meat?
0:43:07 > 0:43:09- That might be what you need. - OK! Thank you.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12- Show it to all your friends. - OK, thank you very much.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14People are always polite, aren't they?
0:43:14 > 0:43:17But I suspect they throw them in the bin
0:43:17 > 0:43:18when they walk round the next corner.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- You're not a vegetarian, are you?- No.
0:43:21 > 0:43:22Well, you never know.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25You might just, you might get one customer, mightn't you?
0:43:25 > 0:43:28If you eat this, you won't want to eat ordinary meat again.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32- Shall we go in?- Yeah.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34Sandy then sets his sights higher.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38See if we can persuade the manager of Asda to try our stuff.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41I don't think we'll be able to supply enough
0:43:41 > 0:43:43for all your customers.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45But some, but some of your shops might like some.
0:43:45 > 0:43:46See if we can get some samples in.
0:43:46 > 0:43:51- Yeah.- Would that do?- Nice to have met you.- OK, take care.- Thanks.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Good morning, Donald. I'm fine, how are you?
0:43:54 > 0:43:56- Very good, yeah.- Yeah.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59Mel works for a charity helping people in the country
0:43:59 > 0:44:01who are struggling to make ends meet.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03And is busy promoting it around the show.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07We're just popping round with some more of our awareness cards.
0:44:07 > 0:44:08I'll just give you the box.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11- We'll hand them out over the weekend.- Thanks, Ian, I'll be round.
0:44:11 > 0:44:12OK, thank you.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16While Martin and Darren go window shopping.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21This is like a farmer's sweetie shop here, like. All this tack and toys.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25That is a beast. That is a monster.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29To the farmer's eye, that is cool, like. Serious piece of kit.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32I'd like to have a shot at that, just to play with it for a day.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38But with a price tag of £343,000, Martin can only wish.
0:44:39 > 0:44:40Yeah, nice.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45I'm the fourth generation to farm...
0:44:45 > 0:44:48John won the title of Sheep Farmer of the Year last year.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52So he's been invited to take part in a Q&A session.
0:44:52 > 0:44:53I love doing what I do, I am...
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Sometimes I can't sleep at nights because I'm excited about
0:44:56 > 0:44:57what I'm doing the next day.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01And at the Young Farmer's stand, a crowd is gathering.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06Bobby's baking skills are about to be tested to the limit.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Still don't know what I'm going to be making
0:45:09 > 0:45:12but I do know I'm going to compete against Alan Bowie,
0:45:12 > 0:45:15who's the President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17THEY CHEER
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Come on!
0:45:20 > 0:45:23I'm sure seeing Bobby doing this today,
0:45:23 > 0:45:26cooking whatever he is cooking will inspire him
0:45:26 > 0:45:28to want to do more about in the kitchen.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30- Ha, ha, ha(!) - SHE LAUGHS
0:45:30 > 0:45:33Bobby Lennox and Alan Bowie
0:45:33 > 0:45:36will be making four evenly-sized pancakes.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38OTHERS LAUGH
0:45:38 > 0:45:41On the count to three, which Mary will shout, we will get going.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Oh-oh! Here we go with the eggs.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Nice stirring action, Dad. Very good.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50- Oh, no! - SHE LAUGHS
0:45:50 > 0:45:52Dad has...
0:45:52 > 0:45:54You need a wee bit more milk, Bobby!
0:45:54 > 0:45:59While things are hotting up in Bobby's corner, Alan keeps his cool.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01Oh, look at this, Alan.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03This is as good as it gets.
0:46:03 > 0:46:04Ooh!
0:46:04 > 0:46:07- Not bad colour, Alan. - He's going for the turn.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10- Oh, there we go, but they're still quite...- And Alan's done.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12Ah! Well done, Alan.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16- Give them a round of applause. - THEY CHEER
0:46:16 > 0:46:17They look like crumpets.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20- They look like quite nice crumpets. - Clapping for Grandpa.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23The judge weighs up the two plates on offer.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25And there's a clear winner.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30- Alan has won this challenge. - Let's hear it for Alan!
0:46:30 > 0:46:32THEY CHEER
0:46:33 > 0:46:35Commiserations for Bobby, he tried his best.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37THEY CHEER
0:46:39 > 0:46:40Could have been worse.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43I at least knew what to do roughly with pancakes.
0:46:46 > 0:46:47In the cattle shed,
0:46:47 > 0:46:51Martin is preparing Jagermeister for his first-ever show.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54So we're up at the Charolais corner of the shed
0:46:54 > 0:46:57and Charolais judging's halfway through.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00We're just away to go with the bulls in the next 15 minutes.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- Going to be last again? - Ah, we don't know.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06This is my cousin Raymond and he's got a bull at the same class,
0:47:06 > 0:47:09so a little bit of family competition going on here.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12I gave Martin a lot of good advice. That's all I'm saying.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16As long as I beat my cousin Raymond, I'll be delighted.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Raymond's family has been breeding prize-winning Charolais
0:47:19 > 0:47:23for nearly 50 years and is respected throughout the UK.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27Martin only has one young novice bull
0:47:27 > 0:47:30and has never won a red rosette in a Charolais competition.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36Little bit nervous because this is the first time this bull's
0:47:36 > 0:47:38been anywhere, so it's a whole new experience.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42And it's his first time in, first time he's been in a lorry,
0:47:42 > 0:47:44it's his first new smells, different experiences.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48So, if I can make a fast run round the show ring,
0:47:48 > 0:47:49I know he's settled in.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51Good luck, Martin. Good luck in the ring.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58As long as you're not last. You don't want to be last.
0:47:58 > 0:48:00At least if you're second last, you've beat somebody.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02- Donnae say that. - Better not say that!
0:48:06 > 0:48:10This first competition is between young Charolais bulls
0:48:10 > 0:48:12between 13 and 15 months.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21Darren keeps a close eye on the judging.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26Each judge will have their own view.
0:48:26 > 0:48:29But most are looking for a well-muscled bull
0:48:29 > 0:48:30with good strong feet and legs.
0:48:34 > 0:48:35There you go. Martin's in.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39Martin's just been pulled up into first place.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45He's standing first just now but we wait till we get the handshake.
0:48:46 > 0:48:50The judge puts Jagermeister provisionally into first place.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54But there's no guarantee he'll stay there.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04Finally, the judge makes his decision.
0:49:07 > 0:49:08Thank you!
0:49:10 > 0:49:12It's a dream come true for Martin.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Jagermeister wins his class.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17- Best young Charolais bull.- Boost!
0:49:19 > 0:49:22Cousin Raymond, on the other hand, comes last.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24I wasn't expecting that, first in class.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27Chuffed to bits, like, look at that. That's the right colour.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Any ticket at the Highland Show's good but a red one's very good.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34I'm chuffed with that, like, wasn't expecting it.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Cos there was good bulls in that class at the top end there.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39So, I'm delighted with that. Still just trying to take it in.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43So when he picked me first, like, I was like, "You mean me?"
0:49:44 > 0:49:47Martin lets Mel know the good news.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49So now she knows.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53So, just to see my cousin Raymond cos he was at the other end
0:49:53 > 0:49:55of the scale, so he's going to wind up.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00You know how I said earlier how we were friends in and out the ring?
0:50:00 > 0:50:03- Well, I'm going to throw this pail of water.... - HE LAUGHS
0:50:03 > 0:50:06- Well done, Martin. - Thank you, Raymond.- You did well.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09- This'll be the first time, eh?- First time. Best we've ever done here.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Best I've ever had here is a third, so.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14Yeah, but I showed him everything, I taught him well.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17- So I'm quite proud of him. - HE LAUGHS
0:50:17 > 0:50:18You can't win all the time.
0:50:19 > 0:50:20Nothing wrong with that.
0:50:22 > 0:50:23It's better when you don't expect it.
0:50:25 > 0:50:26Nah, it's good.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34While Martin basks in his success,
0:50:34 > 0:50:37John's bull Dakota in the shorthorn pen
0:50:37 > 0:50:41is being prepared for his competition by handler Jimmy.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45John's never won a first prize at the Royal Highland Show
0:50:45 > 0:50:47for any of his cattle before.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50But thinks that today, they could be in with a chance.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53It would just be tremendous if we could win a class,
0:50:53 > 0:50:55maybe go a wee bit further,
0:50:55 > 0:50:57it would mean a lot to the whole team at Fearn.
0:50:57 > 0:50:58Mean an awful lot to Jimmy, I mean,
0:50:58 > 0:51:01he's put an awful lot of work into this.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04It's really about kudos and pride in what we do.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07And winning down here is, it's big, it's as big as it gets.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12- There we go. - It's Dakota's big moment.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19When he comes out, I fully expect him to start making
0:51:19 > 0:51:22a bit of noise and just establish that, you know,
0:51:22 > 0:51:24he's the boss, he's the man.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26HE BELLOWS
0:51:32 > 0:51:37Dakota's entered into the Senior Male Shorthorn competition.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40They're the oldest bulls to compete,
0:51:40 > 0:51:42aged between two and a half and five.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47I am biased but I think he's got a good chance out there.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49Fingers crossed, but you just don't know.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51It's just, it's a bit of a worry.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54Giving him a good long hard look.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58So when you're judging out there, you're always looking in every class
0:51:58 > 0:52:01for, for that, animal with that wee bit of X factor.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Getting hands on now, just to see what he's...
0:52:05 > 0:52:07He's feeling to see if the condition the bull is -
0:52:07 > 0:52:12whether it's fat or just feeling the muscles and just feeling the,
0:52:12 > 0:52:16get a handle and helps them make up his mind on
0:52:16 > 0:52:18whether he likes the bull or not and how much he likes it.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22He's judging very much like I thought he would judge.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26He's his own man and he'll pick what he likes and...
0:52:26 > 0:52:27Which is how you should judge.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36At the moment, we're pulled into first place so, yeah,
0:52:36 > 0:52:38fingers crossed he won't change his mind.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41Sometimes the judge can change his mind and switch things round
0:52:41 > 0:52:43but that's where we want to be at the moment.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46He's looking well out there and fingers crossed.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53It's good news for John. APPLAUSE
0:52:56 > 0:53:00Dakota comes first and wins the all-important rosette and ticket.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05I'm just chuffed with that, really chuffed, chuffed for Jimmy,
0:53:05 > 0:53:06winning the class, just grand.
0:53:06 > 0:53:07He's put all the work in.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16Now that he's Senior Male Shorthorn Champion,
0:53:16 > 0:53:20he's automatically entered into the next stage in the competition.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25The competition is also hotting up for Martin.
0:53:27 > 0:53:31- Blitz him, Darren!- Jagermeister is now through to the next round.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35This time, he's up against the winners of the other age groups,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38like Best Adult Male and Best Senior Male,
0:53:38 > 0:53:41competing for the title of All-Round Male Champion.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50Martin's mum, Denise, is watching from the wings.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Well, it's good that he's in there anyway.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56I don't think he was expecting it
0:53:56 > 0:53:57but that's always the best way to get it.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02After some deliberation...
0:54:04 > 0:54:09..the judge taps another bull on the rear end and awards it first prize.
0:54:09 > 0:54:10APPLAUSE
0:54:10 > 0:54:14- ANNOUNCER:- So, the Male Champion is number 452.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19Second place, called Reserve, is next to be awarded.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23I think he's happy, kind of get his first in his class
0:54:23 > 0:54:25so anything else is just a bonus.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28The judge is giving him a good look so that's always a good thing.
0:54:31 > 0:54:32The judge makes his decision.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41And Jagermeister gets a tap on his rear end too.
0:54:41 > 0:54:46He comes second. It's another shock win for Martin and his mum.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50That's him, he's, Reserve Male Champion.
0:54:50 > 0:54:54- ANNOUNCER:- So, your Reserve Male Champion is number 445.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57Reserve Male Champion. Keeps coming!
0:54:59 > 0:55:01And it's not over for Jagermeister yet.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04His win here qualifies him for yet another round.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12In the shorthorn ring, it's round two for Dakota.
0:55:14 > 0:55:18He's now competing for Overall Male Shorthorn,
0:55:18 > 0:55:20against the winners of the other younger age groups.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24Very good young bull here and there's also a good
0:55:24 > 0:55:27two-year-old bull that we've competed against in the past before.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30It's a close call to which one will be top.
0:55:32 > 0:55:34The judge deliberates.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38Keep your head up. That's better.
0:55:40 > 0:55:41And gives the title...
0:55:46 > 0:55:47..to one of the other bulls.
0:55:51 > 0:55:53It's a good bull. It's a good bull.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59Dakota comes third, so can go no further.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04Pretty gutted, to be honest. We thought we'd a real chance.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08But that's showing, so.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14It's a big disappointment for John.
0:56:14 > 0:56:15Och, well.
0:56:19 > 0:56:20But Martin's on a roll.
0:56:24 > 0:56:28Jagermeister is about to enter his final competition
0:56:28 > 0:56:30against one other young Charolais.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33- I'm going to take you down, boy!- You can take me down, I wouldn't mind.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35This time, Martin's competing against
0:56:35 > 0:56:39another extended family member, Mel's cousin Matthew,
0:56:39 > 0:56:44and his heifer, Elgin Jane, who also won reserve in her class.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46We were going in for the Reserve Junior -
0:56:46 > 0:56:48he's the female, I'm the Reserve male.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51And I think Matthew's got the upper hand but I'm not worried.
0:56:53 > 0:56:57Matthew's family are also regulars in the Charolais competitions,
0:56:57 > 0:56:59having bred them for over 30 years.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16Young upstart Jagermeister is unstoppable.
0:57:17 > 0:57:18Thank you again, thank you.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Beating off the competition once again to win
0:57:21 > 0:57:23Reserve Junior Champion!
0:57:23 > 0:57:25- Well done. Congratulations. - He's happy.
0:57:27 > 0:57:30For Martin, a Limousin man, it's an incredible result.
0:57:33 > 0:57:34Cattle's cattle, we're cattle men.
0:57:34 > 0:57:38Good cattle, a good beast, any breed, you know.
0:57:38 > 0:57:42Doesn't matter what the breed, a good beast is a good beast.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44BULL BELLOWS
0:57:45 > 0:57:46OK, this way.
0:57:58 > 0:57:59Next time...
0:58:01 > 0:58:03..we look back over a busy year for the farmers.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07From the first sheep gather of the autumn...
0:58:07 > 0:58:10No scrapping. Will, that's directed at you.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12..through the dark days of winter...
0:58:12 > 0:58:16They're long, cold, hungry months, and I don't like them.
0:58:16 > 0:58:19..to the arrival of new life in spring...
0:58:19 > 0:58:21The real sign of spring is lambs playing.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24..we follow the farming calendar through to summer.
0:58:24 > 0:58:27Such a nice feeling getting them outside.
0:58:27 > 0:58:29Which is their best. This is our future.