0:00:03 > 0:00:04Across some of the most beautiful
0:00:04 > 0:00:07and remote landscapes of the British Isles...
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's not a bad office, is it? You know, look at it!
0:00:10 > 0:00:13..Scotland's farmers carve a living.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Everything has a time and a season, nature doesn't stop.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Breeding sheep and cattle,...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21There's a lot of old friends here.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23They've come to the end of their working life.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Quite a sad day.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Wait a second!
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Bringing new life into the world
0:00:30 > 0:00:32and battling with the elements.
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 > 0:00:45Over a year, five very different families
0:00:45 > 0:00:47let cameras onto their farms...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Hell of a size of nuts on him!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..and into their lives, to share their struggles...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55I don't know why you want the flower.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Do you need to do this?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..and their triumphs...
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Look at my baby!
0:00:59 > 0:01:00He's alive!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05..as they try and turn a profit, in testing economic times.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08That'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 > 0:01:17I 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 > 0:01:21I'm not letting go!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's not a job, it's a way of life
0:01:43 > 0:01:46It's late autumn on the Isle of Lewis,
0:01:46 > 0:01:5030 miles off Scotland's west coast, in the Outer Hebrides.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55The weather is unseasonably mild
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and preparations to get the livestock ready for winter
0:01:58 > 0:02:01continue for crofter Sandy Granville.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Indian summers are wonderful.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Summer is full of the noise of animals and insects
0:02:09 > 0:02:15and everything goes much quieter in the...as the autumn goes through.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19If you get an Indian summer it all goes on a little bit longer,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21but there's always an end to it.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24The longer the darkness can be put off the better.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30This time of year we're very busy.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32We bring the ewes in off the moor,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35they come bustling home, big fit girls,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39they haven't had any lambs feeding for the last two months
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and they're...they're feeling pretty good.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Crofting is a new career for Sandy.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49He used to be a criminal barrister in London,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52but gave it up and moved here, 12 years ago, with his wife
0:02:52 > 0:02:56to become one of 6,000 crofters in the Western Isles,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58rearing sheep and Highland cattle.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Come, come. Walk up.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Come, come.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Dating back to the late 1800s,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07crofting is unique to the Islands and Highlands of Scotland.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Sit there now.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Traditionally, a croft is a small agricultural
0:03:12 > 0:03:16holding of about 12 acres that's often part of a community
0:03:16 > 0:03:18where much of the work is shared.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22I like this way of life.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25It's a cooperative way of life, you have to work together,
0:03:25 > 0:03:30and there's a delight in being part of a traditional system
0:03:30 > 0:03:35that will only work because you're quite good at doing it.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37And there's a great deal of pleasure
0:03:37 > 0:03:39in trying to master that system and be part of it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Today, Sandy's getting together with four other crofters
0:03:46 > 0:03:49to round up all their ewes for dipping,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53before the mating, or tupping, season begins.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56So for the last week, or so, we've been out on the moors
0:03:56 > 0:04:00bringing all the sheep into this area here, we call the bray.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06This flock of around 700 sheep belong to different crofters
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and, as tradition dictates,
0:04:08 > 0:04:12they've been grazing together on common land on the moors.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16It's a big effort the gathering and a lot of fun.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Heel now! Come to heel now, Doyle!
0:04:21 > 0:04:24The sheep are being herded to the communal handling pens
0:04:24 > 0:04:27on the outskirts of the village, known as the fank,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29where the dipping will take place.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- It's a beautiful fank, isn't it? - A beautiful fank.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36We built it about...eight years ago
0:04:36 > 0:04:40and it just all works like clockwork.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Just like the people.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46We could do with having a counter and a gate opener.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51At the fank, the sheep are split into batches owned by each crofter.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56The ewes have been living wild in the hills for five months.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Don't think these ones are so keen on bath time.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Once separated, the sheep are plunged into the dip.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Fling them in! Fling them in!
0:05:08 > 0:05:11The young ones go in quite nicely, but the old ones hang back
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and, put them off.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15Who would blame them?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Who would blame them?
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I certainly wouldn't like it if it happened to me.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24The dip is an insecticide which will get rid of external parasites
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and help maintain the quality of their wool.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Scab is the thing that we have got to eliminate
0:05:34 > 0:05:37because they're all going out on the common grazing,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41meeting sheep from other places, so there's always a risk of scab.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Scab is an infectious skin disease caused by mites
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and can lead to death if left untreated.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Scab used to be common here but it's quite rare now,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54because of the dipping.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Got to get the whole sheep in there,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00make sure there are no tics, or beasts, or scabs, on any bit.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Sandy's wife Ali is allocated the task of counting the sheep
0:06:10 > 0:06:12as they go through.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16We share the cost of the dip, so all these sheep belong to one person,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18and so, at the end of the day,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20we'll just divide the cost of the dip
0:06:20 > 0:06:23between the number of sheep that went through it.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26They'll have a brand on the horn, with the number of the croft on it.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29They'll have ear tags with the croft number
0:06:29 > 0:06:30and an individual number on,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and then the final thing is the paint mark.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Yes, that's our mark, at the moment, purple just behind the head.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43People are very wary of talking about how many sheep they've got,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46but I know how many go through the dip.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50Just check how many I've got here.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Ten, nine, ten, 14.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Ali, I don't want any fraud going on here!
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Yes, sir!
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Life as a crofter is a completely new departure for Ali,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08who also worked as a lawyer in London
0:07:08 > 0:07:11until she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16I used to work for the government.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I got my MS and was finding it more and more difficult to work.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Basically I had very little energy and it was a very demanding job,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28and then, eventually, I had to take early retirement.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32But when you suddenly realise that you might just throw
0:07:32 > 0:07:35everything up in the air and start again, then you start thinking
0:07:35 > 0:07:38what you really would like to do with the rest of your life,
0:07:38 > 0:07:43We suddenly thought, well, we could, we could just come to Lewis.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49The island was a frequent holiday destination for Sandy and Ali
0:07:49 > 0:07:53when their two sons were young, as Sandy has family in Lewis.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57My mother was born in this village
0:07:57 > 0:08:01but she didn't actually spend very much time living here,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and the croft next door to us was my grandfather's.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07When, Ali and I were looking for somewhere to move to,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11to live this kind of life, it was a cousin of mine in the village
0:08:11 > 0:08:13told me that this croft was for sale,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and that's how we finished up here.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21It's a very pleasant life, and it's very, very beautiful here, and,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I think that I'm much fitter now
0:08:23 > 0:08:26than I was 12 years ago when we first came here.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30So, obviously, the life suits me and I feel very well.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I think it suits both of us, really.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41At the fank, most of the flock are through the dip.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43One of them needs to get its horns trimmed.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47This stops them damaging their eyes
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and is a bit like getting your nails clipped.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51It's not uncommon.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Not uncommon.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- Is there another one?- No.- No.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Then the sheep are released to the common grazing in the village
0:09:01 > 0:09:04where they'll live until it's time to meet the tups
0:09:04 > 0:09:07for the tupping season in a few weeks.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09The whole of the grazings now,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12between the two cattle grids, are open.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16There's quite a lot of grazing and nobody's been in it since May,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19so it's lovely grass everywhere
0:09:19 > 0:09:23and, for two weeks, the village will be full of sheep.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It takes five hours to dip all the sheep
0:09:25 > 0:09:29and the total cost of £300 will be shared among the crofters.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Do you want a hand up with that? - Ah!
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Big team effort.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39This team's got more managers than most football teams!
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Only one manager here, Sandy
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Player managers. Guess who is it.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47There's some attempted managing here.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50We get on pretty here, really.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Here you are, men, have a flapjack.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55People are pretty welcoming.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57There's a lot doing in this village,
0:09:57 > 0:10:02and in the, crofting part of the island society, we're quite busy.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04We've got a lot to contribute.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07I think we've completely integrated.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Not a bad day. Probably sleep well tonight.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29On the west coast of Scotland, Sybil and George Macpherson
0:10:29 > 0:10:35rear sheep and cattle on 15,000 acres of rugged mountain terrain.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Their land covers two farms, one they rent
0:10:43 > 0:10:44and the other Sybil owns,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48and has been in her family for nearly 200 years.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55I never forget how lucky I am to have the opportunity to farm.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57It's something that I love.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I greatly care for my livestock, I enjoy working with them,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06I think rearing sheep and cattle is a fascinating way to live your life.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Come on, ladies!
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Come on, mad cow!
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Come on!
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Having done most of their sheep work for the autumn,
0:11:17 > 0:11:22today they're starting to tackle their herd of 60 cows.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Come on, 99! Good girl.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31George is bringing them in from the fields to get them ready for winter.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Oi, you! You big rascal! Watch, watch, watch!
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Oi! Rhona!
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Having lived mostly wild in the hills since spring,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47some are a little lively.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49Oi, Rhona.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51You behave! You already got me!
0:11:53 > 0:11:59Most of the herd are breeding cows that live for around 14 years,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02so, during their time on the farm,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04George and Sybil get to know them well.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Follow on, everybody. In you go!
0:12:07 > 0:12:09On you go, come on.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11You're very skinny, Bonny.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13I've got a much softer spot for some than others.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Come on, 209. On you go.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16Come on, lass. On you go.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18They're all a different character.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20They respond to different situations differently,
0:12:20 > 0:12:21just like human beings do.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Come on, Willy.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24And we get very attached to them.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Just to let you know, I'm behind you.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30That's Willy, Twisty, Tiny, Moira.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Grant, Rhona.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38No. This one hasn't got a name. 606. It doesn't have a name.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Come on, Clunky.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43So you build up a sort of relationship
0:12:43 > 0:12:47and they understand us and know us and recognise us.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48So yeah, I do get fond of them.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Some more than others.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53That Rhona's a bully, she boxes everybody.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55She boxed George coming down the hill.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Didn't you, Rhona? You're naughty.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Come on, Willy.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05In you go, Spooky, good girl. Good girl, Spook.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08The cattle are put in a pen overnight.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Like many hill farmers across Scotland,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Sybil sends most of her herd to lowland farms
0:13:14 > 0:13:15to graze for the winter.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18The majority of the herd are Saler crosses,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21a large breed of beef cattle originally from France,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25known for their foraging ability and longevity.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Come on, Willy.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30They would struggle, though, to find enough food to survive
0:13:30 > 0:13:31on the hills over the winter.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Excuse me. Excuse me!
0:13:33 > 0:13:36We don't grow anything here to feed them with.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38We either send them away for wintering,
0:13:38 > 0:13:39or winter them at home.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42In which case everything they eat has to be brought
0:13:42 > 0:13:44in excess of 100 miles to here.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Come on, Willy.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Without sheds to house the herd,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50sending them away makes economic sense.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Come on, Willy. Around you go.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53Out! Out! Out! Out!
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Tomorrow, she'll be dispatching her first batch of the season.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Come on, Bonnie!
0:14:16 > 0:14:18The next day, the lorry arrives
0:14:18 > 0:14:21to take the cows to their winter grazing.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26It is not the bonniest day,
0:14:26 > 0:14:30but it is usually a day like this when we do this, I can assure you.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The weather has turned really, really nasty.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Sadly, the wind and the rain has made the cows quite spooky.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41They hate the wind, and so they've ran away.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Today, the weather isn't the only hurdle.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47The calves, now six months old, need to be weaned
0:14:47 > 0:14:51to help their mothers recover from constant milking,
0:14:51 > 0:14:53so they're going to be separated.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59For a few days the cows will break their hearts
0:14:59 > 0:15:04looking for the calves, and it is quite sad to be removing them.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Management-wise and condition-wise, for the cows,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08it's the very best thing that can happen
0:15:08 > 0:15:10because they need a break from milking.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13When the weather turns bad and the grass stops growing,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17and the cows are milking and they lose condition quickly.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20But for the first few days they... they roar, and roar, and roar,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22and the calves will cry and cry
0:15:22 > 0:15:25and, I must say, I find it quite upsetting to listen to them.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It is very stressful.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32COWS MOO
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Come on, Willy.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38The mothers and calves will be going to different farms
0:15:38 > 0:15:41and need to be loaded into separate compartments
0:15:41 > 0:15:43on the lorry for an easy delivery.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47The calves are first on board
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Come on, guys, it's for your own good. I kid you not.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56It's for your own good.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Enticed by the scent of their young...
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Go and see your baby. - ..the mothers follow.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Go on, Spook. Go and see your baby.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Go and see your baby.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Come on, come on
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Finally, they're all on board
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It's a huge relief to know that, tonight,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23all those wee calvies will be lying knee deep in straw in a shed.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26OK, they'll be breaking their hearts looking for their mothers,
0:16:26 > 0:16:28but they'll be out of this wet, wind, and rain.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33And for them, you know, in a few days' time,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37they'll be, just, in luxury, compared with being here.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40It's definitely the answer for them.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The lorry will deliver this first batch to separate farms
0:16:43 > 0:16:46100 miles away in the east of Scotland, near Dundee.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06On the other side of Scotland, north of Aberdeen,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10where the weather is proving kinder,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Martin Irvine and his family rent a 240-acre farm,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17rearing pedigree Limousin bulls.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Martin's family have been farming here for five generations.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28The focus of his business is to produce breeding bulls
0:17:28 > 0:17:31that he can sell for a profit at auction.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Three years ago, he made the best sale of his life,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38selling one bull for £30,000.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42When it comes to bull sales and us making money,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46one bull can make a difference between a good year and a bad year.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49We'll sell a lot of bulls, at three, four, five thousand,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52which are great, but what we need is that one or two bulls a year,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55that superstar bull to make good money
0:17:55 > 0:17:57just to keep things going fine.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- Watch Tilly. - Pull that gate this way.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Today, Martin and fiance Mel are also bringing in their herd
0:18:07 > 0:18:10of 168 cattle for the winter.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17They're quite happy to be inside, to be honest.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Oh, steady!
0:18:21 > 0:18:24This is us gearing up for winter pretty much.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Cows and calves.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31Heifers, bulls, in the bottom shed here.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36Tomorrow we'll bring on all the dry cows, which is cows with no calves.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38We'll just get into our winter routine,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40feed in the morning, feed in the afternoon.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Check them and...
0:18:42 > 0:18:45That's it. Next seven, eight months - this is it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47We find it better to get them in early
0:18:47 > 0:18:49and keep the condition on them
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and they're easier maintained inside like.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Martin can control what they eat, how much they eat.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58If they're getting too fat you can slim them down,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00or beef them up if you need to.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Limousins are a large continental breed
0:19:07 > 0:19:10imported from France in the '70s.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Because of the high quality of their meat,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16they have become the most popular beef cattle in the country.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21To nourish his precious herd through the winter,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Martin feeds them a special diet
0:19:24 > 0:19:27which costs him about £15 a week per animal.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29We have got the silage and the draft.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32This is what we feed the cows in the winter.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35So this is the silage, which is chopped-up grass
0:19:35 > 0:19:37we harvest through the summertime.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Put into a pit, and what it is, it's basically,...fermented.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Fermented grass.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- Smells nice.- Smells nice.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46So we cut it in the summertime, store it in a pit,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and it feeds the cattle through wintertime.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52So it's just your grass, another feed we've got here is draft.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Draft, is pretty much the by-product from your distilleries.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59So this is part of your whisky. Whisky pretty much.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02And all it is is barley that's been soaked and cooked
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and all the procedures that go into making whisky
0:20:05 > 0:20:06and this is a by-product.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10And we've got 20 distilleries in a ten-mile radius.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14So, plenty of opportunity for getting draft cheap,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16which makes it a good feed for the cattle.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Quite good for putting condition and bloom onto cattle.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25During the coming months the other crucial job
0:20:25 > 0:20:27will be bringing in the next generation.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34Calving on Martin's farm happens in two blocks - autumn and spring -
0:20:34 > 0:20:38and he's just had this season's first delivery.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41So we're just getting his tags, every calf that is born,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45anywhere, has to be tagged.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Double tagged. So, what's on here is
0:20:50 > 0:20:54his UK number, which corresponds with this passport,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57and we name every calf, as well, so the letter changes.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01So, this year it's J, so we've decided to call this one Jay-Z.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04So now Martin's going to catch the cow.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Yeah.- So she doesn't attack us.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08But I don't think she would. She's quite quiet,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12but you've always got to watch your freshly calved cows.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Yeah. Even your quietest cow, when she calves,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19instinct kicks in and if her calf were to make a funny noise,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23instinct would kick in, a cow could kill you, pretty much.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26So we'll catch the cow in the yokes. So what'll happen,
0:21:26 > 0:21:28we'll turn that,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30she'll put her head in, it locks,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33and she cannae get out.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35So I'll tease her with a bit of feed.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Lock. Lock.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43That's her secure so she can't get us, that's us safe,
0:21:43 > 0:21:48and we'll go in the pen, catch the calf, tag the calf, and we're safe.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Just watch they don't kick, but I don't think so.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Working with cattle can be dangerous.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58In the UK, 56 out of the 74 people
0:21:58 > 0:22:02killed by cattle in the last 15 years have been farm workers.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07This is the latest addition to Anside.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Anside Jay-Z.- Anside Jay-Z.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14We've a big lot of calves, for the next two months,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and he's the start of it, so it's a good start, he's alive,
0:22:17 > 0:22:22good calf, so hopefully it'll be like this for the rest of the spell.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23So cute.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24He's actually not moving,
0:22:24 > 0:22:29because he'll probably think we're a predator and we're going to eat him.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Thing we find, the quicker, you make contact with the calves,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36like speak to them, or touch them, they get used to you,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38So it's good to get that kind of connection,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40that first connection with the calves,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43quite young, and they'll be quieter, usually, as they grow up.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46So first tag, right lug.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Does that hurt them? - No.- It's like an ear piercing.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50So you'll see I'll show you its lug.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53You'll see its ear here, there's like three fingers,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55like cartilage, that come across the ear.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57One, two three,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00and we're going to aim for this soft bit in the middle here.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05Just wait a minute.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13Jay-Z is the first of this year's expected crop of 65 calves.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19There you go.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20Jay-Z.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23That's him official now.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31If they're lucky, he might grow up to be Martin's next superstar bull
0:23:31 > 0:23:33and help boost the profits of the farm.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38COW MOOS
0:23:45 > 0:23:49BIRDSONG AND SHEEP BAA
0:23:49 > 0:23:52On Lewis, the ewes are now grazing in the village,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56so there's a brief respite from active sheep-rearing duties
0:23:56 > 0:23:57for Sandy and Ali.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Once I've just spoken to the other two, I'll phone Roddy.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Haven't booked David in for ages.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04David hasn't been in at all.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Running a croft is an all-consuming business
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and there's always jobs to do.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12While Ali gets on with the books,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Sandy embarks on a training session
0:24:14 > 0:24:17with the youngest of his four Border Collies, Doyle.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24Now a year old, he only made his working debut three weeks ago.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Right. Have we got our brain in gear?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Have we got our brain in gear?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33OK. Heel.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35And sit. Sit.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38He's been working quite nicely on the hill.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39Sit.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42So we're just coming down to the training paddock.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Stay there.
0:24:44 > 0:24:45Just to improve his technique
0:24:45 > 0:24:48and to stop him
0:24:48 > 0:24:50thinking that he knows everything.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Border Collies originated in the Borders,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58between England and Scotland in the late 19th century...
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Way to me.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02..to help shepherds herd their sheep across vast distances.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Their temperament and hunting instinct
0:25:07 > 0:25:08makes them perfect for the job.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14It's estimated that for every mile a shepherd walks,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16his dog covers 15.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Sit!
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Today, Sandy's practising the key commands collies need
0:25:21 > 0:25:23to learn to herd sheep.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Come by now. Keep off. Come by.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Come by.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Come by.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33"Come by" means herd the sheep clockwise.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Good boy. Away to me.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Away to me.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41"Away to me" is the anticlockwise command.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Walk up, Doyle. Sit there.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Renowned for their intelligence and sensitivity,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54collies quickly learn instructions from their owner.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Walk up.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59It's a very bad policy to say anything bad to the dog
0:25:59 > 0:26:01because it's always the shepherd's fault.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Occasionally a high-spirited collie will just pack up and go home
0:26:04 > 0:26:08if his handler is badly behaved.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09Heel now. Come by.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Come by. Sit there.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Like Doyle,...
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- Sit. - ..Sandy's also a bit of novice.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19I've only had four dogs, he's my fourth dog. So I'm...
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I'm not such an experienced dog trainer,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and they've all been members of the same family.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30My original bitch is retired through ill health.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33She was a very fine dog indeed.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36We learnt everything that we know between the two of us.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40He's very patient with the animals.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I tend to not be quite so consistent as I should be.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47So, I know that there are rules you should stick to,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51but then when one of the dogs is doing something really sweet
0:26:51 > 0:26:53or breaks our rules...
0:26:53 > 0:26:56He's... I think, that's why, he's really consistent.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01He doesn't ever...let them off just because they're looking so cute.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Walk up. Walk up.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Walk up, Doyle. Walk up.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Training dogs and working the croft
0:27:11 > 0:27:16is a world away from Sandy and Ali's old life as London lawyers.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Always prepared to try something different.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21In fact I, I was probably a bit fed up with...
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Not with the work, which I always enjoyed,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27but I was probably a bit fed up with travelling to and from work
0:27:27 > 0:27:31and get up and get on trains first thing in the morning.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Way to me. Way to me.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I think being in Lewis has brought us closer together.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41We...we enjoy the same things, we're working on the same things.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44I think, before we came, there were some things we did together
0:27:44 > 0:27:48and some things we did separately. And this is, yeah, this is good.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52We have the same goals and work away at them together,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55all the time, which is lovely.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Come by. Come by.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03I think you have to make a change now and again.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06If you've only got one life it's a shame to spend it,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08the whole life, doing only one thing.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Come by.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Aaah, Doyle.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I think that's probably quite enough for him today.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17He doesn't think it's all that interesting.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18That's the boy.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35On the mainland, near Loch Lomond in central Scotland,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Bobby and Ann Lennox
0:28:37 > 0:28:40are halfway through their sheep work for the autumn.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46They rent two hill farms stretching across 5,000 acres,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49where they rear over 2,000 hardy Blackface sheep.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Come on, lambies, let's go!
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Ho-ho! Ho-ho!
0:29:00 > 0:29:01Come on! Come on!
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Like many hill farmers,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07they're sending some of their livestock away for the winter.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12But today, the weather isn't helping.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15It is pretty yucky today, but everything's mud with the rain.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Everything's just mud. It's like walking in treacle.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24Every year, Bobby and Ann send their new lambs away
0:29:24 > 0:29:25to graze on a lowland farm
0:29:25 > 0:29:29and this season they're dispatching 900.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37We haven't got good enough grass
0:29:37 > 0:29:39to keep them at home over the winter.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45And it just gives these lambs a good start, in their life,
0:29:45 > 0:29:46getting a first winter.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49It means they're stronger, fitter sheep.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Now seven months old, the lambs need to fatten up.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Some are females who will return for breeding next spring
0:29:58 > 0:30:00but the males will go for slaughter.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08Before any of them can leave the farm, Bobby has to process them.
0:30:08 > 0:30:0929.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14By law, the movement of every single animal must be recorded.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17The lambs are also given worm medicine to prevent them
0:30:17 > 0:30:21spreading parasites to other farms.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23This is what we call a lightsaber.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25It's just an electronic tag reader.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29The yellow tag has got an electronic chip in it on the lambs.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31This reads it and stores the number.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37It's a lot of work so Bobby's hired in contract shepherd Derek to help.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41The last number of years we've got all the regulations
0:30:41 > 0:30:46to do with tracing, you know, for animal welfare reasons,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49health reasons and that,
0:30:49 > 0:30:54so the government knows where every single animal is at any one time.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56It's a paper trail nightmare.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00They're a bit lively at this age.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05This is one of the last flocks to go
0:31:05 > 0:31:09and Bobby and Ann are itching to get the whole job done
0:31:09 > 0:31:11because, at the end of the week,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13they're heading off on their annual holiday.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20I'll be quite glad that we leave here on Sunday and go to Tenerife.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Be quite nice to get off the plane and the heat just hits you.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27And if it's not, I'll be very upset!
0:31:29 > 0:31:31So we know we're going to get another six months like this
0:31:31 > 0:31:34till the spring comes again.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37A break away sets you up nicely for the winter
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and recharges the batteries.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44My doctor's recommended a bottle of wine for me.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46I got a jag in my shoulder, I've got a sore shoulder,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49so I got a jag in my shoulder yesterday,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52so he recommended a bottle of wine...a day.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58But before they get carried away,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Bobby's got to deliver this batch of lambs himself.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08The flock's winter home is only a 20-minute drive away
0:32:08 > 0:32:11in the lowlands by the River Clyde.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12They're less exposed here
0:32:12 > 0:32:16and, with less stress to deal with, they'll grow better.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Definitely not Tenerife
0:32:22 > 0:32:24but in the middle of winter it will feel like Tenerife
0:32:24 > 0:32:26compared to where we are.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33It costs Bobby 50 pence per animal per week to winter them away.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37This is totally strange to them.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39It doesn't seem to upset them too much.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43But it's cheaper than buying in their food
0:32:43 > 0:32:45and keeping them on the farm.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50Another two or three days we will have everything sorted out and away.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Then we'll get away, switch off and have a good break.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Boost us up ready for the winter.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Further west...
0:33:10 > 0:33:11Where do you want to go with it?
0:33:11 > 0:33:13..Sybil and George are still in the process of
0:33:13 > 0:33:16dispatching their cattle to their winter grazing...
0:33:18 > 0:33:20We're just going to leave this in?
0:33:20 > 0:33:23..and today they're dealing with the special cases.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- Come on, girl.- Watch your back.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34They're moving six young calves to a lowland farm near Dundee.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- Come on, ladies.- On you go.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45Only two months old, they're too young to be weaned
0:33:45 > 0:33:48and will be reunited with their mothers at the farm.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55Steady yourselves. Steady yourselves.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00But, apart for the first time, they're all a bit jittery.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02You little monkey!
0:34:02 > 0:34:04It's a bit sore.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06That was rather painful.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12They might be young, but a kick from a calf can still do some damage.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Oh, you wee monkey!
0:34:14 > 0:34:15You all right?
0:34:15 > 0:34:19Well, yes, I am.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Haven't had a kick for ages.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29I wasn't expecting it.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31In fact, both of us worked...
0:34:31 > 0:34:33- Where did he get you?- Just here.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Both of us worked at the...
0:34:38 > 0:34:41..calf sale in Dalmalie for UA to help them with their cattle
0:34:41 > 0:34:43and there'll be, what, I don't know,
0:34:43 > 0:34:461,200 calves through the market that day and neither of us got a kick
0:34:46 > 0:34:50and you go to two little animals, wee squirts here,
0:34:50 > 0:34:54and get a kick like that, quite unpleasant.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59Before she married George, Sybil ran the farm on her own for 22 years
0:34:59 > 0:35:02and has fine-tuned the art of being tough.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05It's one of the things I think I've found all through my life
0:35:05 > 0:35:08being a woman in this job, that people always imagine,
0:35:08 > 0:35:13that you're not going to be up to either, physically or mentally.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16I think nowadays things are a wee bit, you know,
0:35:16 > 0:35:20women are more accepted into agriculture, but certainly,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22you know, 30, 40 years ago, especially in this sort of part
0:35:22 > 0:35:27of the world, this type of farming, it was very much a man's world.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32I suppose because I've worked outside and done the physical things
0:35:32 > 0:35:36all my life I'm probably fairly lucky in that I am quite strong,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40and built like, built like...
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Right.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47Part of Sybil that I do admire in so many ways is her determination
0:35:47 > 0:35:50and depth of strength.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53I'm a softer person by miles than her in nature
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and she's helped me develop into a better person.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58I admire her as a farmer
0:35:58 > 0:36:02and I think it's amazing what she's trying to do here.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05I don't know if it helps since I've joined the forces or not.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09I just think this is more stable.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13Today there's another tricky case that needs to be dealt with.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16One of her continental crossbreeds has just given birth
0:36:16 > 0:36:18in a field nearby.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24It's a cow that's calved last night
0:36:24 > 0:36:29and we are quite keen to get her in out of the weather.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33It's a bit of a nuisance she's calving out of sync with everybody,
0:36:33 > 0:36:39but, so we need to make just a temporary pen for her just now.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Right.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44That's looking pretty good.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Do not jump the fence.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54George and Sybil must approach new mum Ghost with extreme care.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59With a calf so young, she may get aggressive.
0:36:59 > 0:37:00- Come on, Ghost.- He went for me.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02- She went for you?- HE went for me.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04He did? On you go, girl.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Just watch. He's kind of tired.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12As very young calves are not used to being handled,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16they also need to be treated with caution.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Come on, wee guy.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22Just watch yourself.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26One in five farm workers killed by cattle in the UK
0:37:26 > 0:37:29are by cows that have recently calved.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35In you go, girl. Good lass.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36Smashing.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Absolutely smashing.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42The thing that I always find with the sheep physically
0:37:42 > 0:37:44you can overpower them, you can do whatever.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Have to take some cake.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Come on, Ghost.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51She's called Ghost because of her colour.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Her pal's called Spook.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56With the cattle if they decide they want to do something,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58well, they do it,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01and you've got to appeal to their better nature to play ball.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06Good girl. Good girl. Good girl.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- He went for me when I stood him up, like.- Did he? Wee monkey.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Good girl. That's a naughty little calf you've got.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- He's a wee beauty.- He is a topper.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Ghost is pacified.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Cattle cake has done the trick.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25Hello.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Ghost's calf is too young to travel,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33so they'll stay together on the farm to be taken care of
0:38:33 > 0:38:36by Sybil and George through the winter.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38He's quite cheery, isn't he?
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Quite amazing really to think that, this time yesterday,
0:38:40 > 0:38:45it was tucked up inside there and now it's out and running about.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47End up on somebody's dinner plate one day.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50George don't speak like that.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52He's a pretty wee thing.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Good girl.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13On the Isle of Lewis,
0:39:13 > 0:39:17Sandy's also working his way through his autumn to-do list.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20OK, ready?
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Today a high tide is predicted
0:39:26 > 0:39:30so he's seizing the chance to get his boat into the water.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36He's roped in local, Callum, to help.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42She was coming quite nicely there.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49We use it to take sheep off to the islands and back.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56The boat can hold up to 30 sheep
0:39:56 > 0:39:59and will be used to transport a flock to a nearby island
0:39:59 > 0:40:01for their winter grazing...
0:40:02 > 0:40:06..if they can get it into the sea unscathed.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- OK?- On you go.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11She's pretty tough. She can bounce off anything.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Very heavy, though. About three tonnes.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22It's not the easiest object to manoeuvre without a trailer,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25especially down a 45-degree ramp.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Only a scratch, I hope.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40I wanted to get it down a bit further but that'll have to do.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46He now has to wait for the tide to come in for the boat to float.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49As Sandy won't have another spare day for a while,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52he's hell bent on sticking to his schedule.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54About four hours till the full tide.
0:40:55 > 0:41:01So I'll come down and look at her in two hours or so
0:41:01 > 0:41:03and see how near floating she is.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Sandy's back to finish the job.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16Now he plans to motor the boat out into the bay and moor up.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19All he needs to do is start the engine.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Well, that's a nuisance.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37But before he can fix the engine, he needs to secure the boat.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44It's quite heavy work putting down these big anchors.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Many people would think it doesn't look very pleasurable
0:41:47 > 0:41:50but there's a lot of joy in it.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53It's a fine thing to be testing yourself
0:41:53 > 0:41:55against a hard physical challenge.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00And this task is proving to be especially challenging.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08No, we're not holding.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Sandy's run out of options.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34That's interesting.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42Four hours later, he's back where he started.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50He'll have to fix the engine and try again another day.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04While the rest of the farmers get on with their normal routine,
0:43:04 > 0:43:08one lucky family is taking a complete break from theirs.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13Sheep farmers Bobby and Ann are off to the Canary Islands.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15- Are we going to go on a plane?- Yay!
0:43:17 > 0:43:19I love going on holiday.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24It's just so nice to drive down that road and we're away.
0:43:27 > 0:43:32With their grandchildren, daughter Gill and twins Alan and Kay,
0:43:32 > 0:43:34they holiday in Tenerife,
0:43:34 > 0:43:38where they've been going for the last 15 years.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41It's a great chance just to relax,
0:43:41 > 0:43:46go out for one or two meals out, and just have a nice, easy, lazy time.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50I like having the family around.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53Great in the swimming pool and going to the beach.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03And a very good night for Alan and Kay's 30th birthday party.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07Hip-hip!
0:44:07 > 0:44:09THEY CHEER
0:44:20 > 0:44:2412 days later, they are back at their Loch Lomond farm...
0:44:26 > 0:44:29..and back to the autumn routine.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32Shifty, shifty.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34There you are.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37I miss my morning swim.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39I miss the heat of the sun.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45By the time it gets to the end of the holiday, it's nice to get back
0:44:45 > 0:44:48but it's also nice just lying about doing not a lot.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53But there's no chance of a lazy day.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59Having sent their lambs to winter grazing, their big job over
0:44:59 > 0:45:04the next fortnight is to bring in their entire flock of 1,500 ewes
0:45:04 > 0:45:08from the hills for the start of the tupping season.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13Today, the plan is to gather 200 of them
0:45:13 > 0:45:16scattered across 500 acres of hillside.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19Working on his trail bike,
0:45:19 > 0:45:2360-year-old Bobby is covering the low ground
0:45:23 > 0:45:26and will drive the sheep towards Ann.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29Anywhere a sheep can walk we can get a two-wheel bike, basically,
0:45:29 > 0:45:32so that allows us to do a lot more work.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36We can gather much bigger areas of the hill because of the bike.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43SHE PANTS
0:45:43 > 0:45:47But 62-year-old Ann has drawn the short straw.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51She's covering the middle ground on foot.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56I need oxygen. I would like a wee bit of oxygen.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58I mean, I've just lain about for the past fortnight,
0:45:58 > 0:46:00not done much, you know.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03The strongest thing I've lifted was a glass of wine, you know.
0:46:05 > 0:46:06Anyway...let's go.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08Come on. Down boy, down.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13While traversing up the 45-degree gradient,
0:46:13 > 0:46:17Ann's job is to try and gather all the sheep that Bobby sends her way
0:46:17 > 0:46:22and wrangle collie Jim into sending them towards the farm.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Come to heel!
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Jim! Come by, come by!
0:46:28 > 0:46:30Oh, bugger.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34Jim, come bye!
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Jim, away!
0:46:36 > 0:46:38Away, away!
0:46:38 > 0:46:42She's trying to get Jim to turn the flock in the opposite direction,
0:46:42 > 0:46:46but after the holiday everyone's a little rusty.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Lie down, just lie down there.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53Come by!
0:46:55 > 0:46:57He wants to work sheep.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00He hasn't worked sheep for three weeks and he just is desperate
0:47:00 > 0:47:03to work sheep and he's just not listening.
0:47:07 > 0:47:11I don't maybe give him the right commands at the right time,
0:47:11 > 0:47:14that's also the problem.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16Right.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18Come by, Jim, come by, come by!
0:47:20 > 0:47:22Hello!
0:47:22 > 0:47:23Jim!
0:47:23 > 0:47:25Jim, come by, come by!
0:47:25 > 0:47:28At last, Jim manages to turn the flock...
0:47:28 > 0:47:30Good dog. Now lie down!
0:47:32 > 0:47:35..but now Ann has to catch up.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38Right just concentrate, concentrate.
0:47:40 > 0:47:44On a typical gather, Ann can easily cover eight miles.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46Jim, come by!
0:47:46 > 0:47:49As long as we keep going.
0:47:50 > 0:47:55To keep the sheep moving towards the farm, Ann now needs Bobby's backup.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59'Ann, whereabouts are you just now?'
0:47:59 > 0:48:01I'm in the top of the ridge
0:48:01 > 0:48:05where I met up with you last time Bobby. Over.
0:48:05 > 0:48:06'All right.'
0:48:09 > 0:48:11There's Bobby coming.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13Come here, boy. Come on.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- Hello, dear.- All right.
0:48:20 > 0:48:21Knackered.
0:48:21 > 0:48:26It's hard work. This tussocks is very hard to ride on.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28If you head for this part of the cut
0:48:28 > 0:48:31- and that should get these to start running.- Right. OK.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34We'll walk on to make sure they go down then, right?
0:48:34 > 0:48:36Okey dokey.
0:48:36 > 0:48:40With Bobby on the sheep's tail, the pressure's off
0:48:40 > 0:48:43and Ann can head home at a reasonable pace.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47The sheep are going in the right direction.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50I don't seem to have lost any so that's a good day.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53Sunshine's shining over there.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57I like the outdoors.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00On a day like this, when it's nice, it's dry,
0:49:00 > 0:49:04it's a pleasure being out here, once I've got up the steep bit.
0:49:08 > 0:49:14It's taken three hours' hard graft, but all 200 sheep are now in.
0:49:17 > 0:49:18Successful, that.
0:49:18 > 0:49:22You know, some days you go out and, you know, some have got away on you
0:49:22 > 0:49:26and, on others you're not sure some have got away or not
0:49:26 > 0:49:29and that's more frustrating.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31But, no, I think we've got them all.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35This is only the first flock
0:49:35 > 0:49:37and they'll have to keep going out every day
0:49:37 > 0:49:40until they bring in all 1,500 ewes.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43I'll just have to help Bobby do it tomorrow.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46We'll go gather the wood and, yeah.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48Just sort them out. Do as I'm told as always.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51- Make my tea for tonight. - Make your tea?
0:49:51 > 0:49:54Oh, aye, that'll be interesting(!)
0:49:54 > 0:49:58He's getting macaroni and cheese...
0:49:58 > 0:50:01last night's leftovers.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05SHEEP BLEATS
0:50:10 > 0:50:16In Stirling, Central Scotland, bull-breeder Martin and fiancee Mel
0:50:16 > 0:50:19have made the 150-mile journey from their farm
0:50:19 > 0:50:22to take part in a prestigious show for beef calves
0:50:22 > 0:50:25called Stars Of The Future. COWS MOO
0:50:25 > 0:50:28An annual event, it's like a beauty pageant
0:50:28 > 0:50:31for calves aged between five and 16 months,
0:50:31 > 0:50:34and showcases upcoming talent across Scotland
0:50:34 > 0:50:38to prospective future buyers.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Today, over 400 calves from eight different breeds,
0:50:42 > 0:50:47including Beef Shorthorn, Hereford and Highland,
0:50:47 > 0:50:49will all take part. COWS MOO
0:50:49 > 0:50:54The most impressive in each class will be awarded a rosette.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57COWS MOO
0:50:57 > 0:51:01Martin and Mel have entered two 11-month-old Limousin bull calves,
0:51:01 > 0:51:03Injector and Informer,
0:51:03 > 0:51:07that they hope will be their next top-earning superstars.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10These bulls will be bulls that I bring on for next year at sales
0:51:10 > 0:51:14and, if someone's here, and sees this bull here,
0:51:14 > 0:51:16and he wins his class or he does well in his class,
0:51:16 > 0:51:18it kind of plants a seed in his head,
0:51:18 > 0:51:20so a lot of people will watch for young bulls here,
0:51:20 > 0:51:24and follow them right through to when they sell them next year.
0:51:24 > 0:51:29It's good advertising for the farm and the herd, but we enjoy it.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31It's a competition and I like competition.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35Competition's good and healthy and we're definitely in it to win it.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37We're not here to mess about.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43The top prize for Martin today is the Senior Male Championship
0:51:43 > 0:51:45in the Limousin rounds.
0:51:45 > 0:51:47The winner will receive widespread publicity
0:51:47 > 0:51:49in the breeding society press -
0:51:49 > 0:51:53a golden opportunity to increase their price tag at auction
0:51:53 > 0:51:57in a few months' time, when they'll be sold at their reproductive prime.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03I'm just doing their tails,
0:52:03 > 0:52:05and what we do is we just backcomb it,
0:52:05 > 0:52:08like all the girls do, to give it a bit of volume.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11It's basically just like a girl putting on make-up
0:52:11 > 0:52:14and blow-drying their hair, making everyone look pretty.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Using their magic box of tricks,
0:52:22 > 0:52:25they're indulging in some creative window-dressing
0:52:25 > 0:52:28to show off their bulls to their best effect.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30This is a really, really strong gel,
0:52:30 > 0:52:34and you spray that on, comb it up
0:52:34 > 0:52:38and it sets really good, but it's...
0:52:38 > 0:52:41We call it a spray glue and it's pretty much as strong as glue.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43It's pretty good stuff.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46Now, for all the short hairs on their legs,
0:52:46 > 0:52:48this is great at pulling it all up.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51COW MOOS
0:52:51 > 0:52:53There you go - it looks the part now.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56It's Informer and Injector's first show
0:52:56 > 0:52:58so they need a bit of encouragement...
0:52:58 > 0:53:00Go on.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03Awkward little bugger.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07No, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10..but Martin and Mel can't control everything.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16COW MOOS
0:53:16 > 0:53:18Oh, you little rascal.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21OK, Martin, let's go. Shift.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24This is a different surrounding for them, so, different noises,
0:53:24 > 0:53:28smells and, as long as it's not me being dragged round the ring,
0:53:28 > 0:53:29I'll be all right.
0:53:29 > 0:53:34I know Mel, she worries about it, but it happens to the best of us.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36COWS MOO Time to step the unruly bulls
0:53:36 > 0:53:38into the ring for the first round.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41- They're up against two other Limousins of the same age.- Oi.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43Stop, please.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46"I'm small but I'm feisty."
0:53:48 > 0:53:51Martin leads Informer and Mel is with Injector.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53Shh, shh, shh...
0:53:53 > 0:53:56The winner in this round will qualify for the next -
0:53:56 > 0:54:00the Senior Male Championship title -
0:54:00 > 0:54:04but badly-behaved bulls will be asked to leave the ring
0:54:04 > 0:54:05and disqualified.
0:54:06 > 0:54:07Oi!
0:54:10 > 0:54:14COW MOOS
0:54:14 > 0:54:16- Morning.- How are you?- Fine, thanks. - Is that your calf...?
0:54:16 > 0:54:18To try and keep Injector calm,
0:54:18 > 0:54:21Mel tickles his stomach with a stick,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24and also uses it to position his feet in line with
0:54:24 > 0:54:30the four corners of his body, to make the most of his big frame,
0:54:30 > 0:54:34and kicking the judge isn't likely to help their cause.
0:54:38 > 0:54:44Informer wins first prize and is through to the big competition.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Naughty Injector comes second to last.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51- They didn't like my baby boy! - SHE LAUGHS
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Now, Martin's in with a shot at the title.
0:54:59 > 0:55:03Winning here would help lay the groundwork for the spring sales
0:55:03 > 0:55:07and make up for their dismal performance at last month's auction,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10when Martin failed to sell three of his four bulls.
0:55:11 > 0:55:15- AUCTIONEER:- 3,800, held under. 3,800, 3,800,
0:55:15 > 0:55:183,800 guineas. It's 3,800.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20I'm very sorry, but today...
0:55:20 > 0:55:23Well, that's just depressing, that, really, isn't it?
0:55:25 > 0:55:28Not enough, but we'll go and try the next three,
0:55:28 > 0:55:30I'm not getting very excited for this really.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33Hard work - really hard work.
0:55:33 > 0:55:354,500, 4,500.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38Are we all done now? 4,500 guineas...
0:55:38 > 0:55:39You can see there's just...
0:55:39 > 0:55:42There's no atmosphere. There's no buzz.
0:55:42 > 0:55:43It's hard work - really hard work.
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Shh, shh, shh...
0:55:45 > 0:55:48Now, there's a bull who should have been selling for 6,000 easy -
0:55:48 > 0:55:51he's unsold. It's pretty sad, like.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58At Stars Of The Future, Martin's about to step into the ring
0:55:58 > 0:56:00for the big competition.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08Failing is my biggest fear,
0:56:08 > 0:56:13and I got a real hiding in October, at the bull sales.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14It wasn't our fault.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17There was too many bulls, not enough buyers
0:56:17 > 0:56:20and we were at the tail end of it,
0:56:20 > 0:56:22so February needs to be good.
0:56:23 > 0:56:28Informer's the youngest and smallest of the four Limousin finalists.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32Two prizes will be awarded -
0:56:32 > 0:56:35first and runner-up, known as reserve.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38- COWS MOO - He looks good standing there,
0:56:38 > 0:56:39pretty wee boy.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46Either would put Martin in a strong position at the spring sales.
0:56:50 > 0:56:51Hey!
0:56:57 > 0:57:02We've now gotten Reserve Senior Male,
0:57:02 > 0:57:05so, yeah, that's good.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08I didn't expect that. Happy days.
0:57:09 > 0:57:13Informer has come second - a good result for Martin.
0:57:14 > 0:57:15Yay!
0:57:15 > 0:57:17COW MOOS
0:57:17 > 0:57:20- Yay!- Not bad.
0:57:20 > 0:57:22I'm fair chuffed with that,
0:57:22 > 0:57:23and he's given away five months
0:57:23 > 0:57:25compared to the one Champion.
0:57:25 > 0:57:27The one that got it - Champion, you know?
0:57:27 > 0:57:29He's a wee star, like. He stands just beautiful.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32COW MOOS
0:57:33 > 0:57:37The prospects for the spring sales are looking good.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40- Another one for the wall. Hey! - COW MOOS
0:57:40 > 0:57:42COW MOOS
0:57:48 > 0:57:51Next time,
0:57:51 > 0:57:56Sandy battles the elements as a force-11 storm hits Lewis...
0:57:56 > 0:57:59- WIND BLOWS - Freezing, freezing...
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Oh, and probably going to get worse yet.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06..at one of Scotland's top livestock auctions,
0:58:06 > 0:58:08love is in the air for Sybil...
0:58:08 > 0:58:11I love the back of his head, I like the colours
0:58:11 > 0:58:14and the hair on his face, and he's got a really good waterproof coat.
0:58:14 > 0:58:15I just like him.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18THEY GRUNT
0:58:18 > 0:58:20..and in the Irvines' calving shed,
0:58:20 > 0:58:22there's a desperate struggle
0:58:22 > 0:58:24to save a life.
0:58:24 > 0:58:27- Right front leg. Front legs! - COWS MOO
0:58:27 > 0:58:29It's coming. It's coming.