About Scotia – Scotia

Our History

The initial idea for the Scotia Agricultural Club was promoted and largely funded by Dr D S MacLagan in 1971.

The aim was to have a forum that would bring together a group of people with experience of interdisciplinary approaches to food production and who might profitably seek a balanced judgement of the long term effects of innovation on the conservation of the land. Initially, members of the club were senior staff at research, education and advisory establishments and the initial meeting of 27 members took place in 1972 with topics covering “Good husbandry” (Gavin Cato OBE), “Wilderness Areas and agriculture” (Prof J Morton Boyd , FRSE) and “Limitations on Growth” (Prof Aubrey Manning, University of Edinburgh).

The follow up meeting that year had 38 members with speakers examining “Harmony and Disharmony in Man’s Environments” (Sir David Cuthbertson, FRSE), “Research Priorities in Scottish Agriculture” ( Andrew Biggar FRAgS) and “Rotational farming” ( A K Meiklejohn). The initial aim was to have 2 meetings a year and the extensive range of topics covered over the past 50 years reflect many of the concerns and issues that have developed, and which still have a very real resonance in agriculture today.

Meetings/speakers are still a key element of the Club today but interest in observing practice and learning about new research developments has led to regular visits to farms/rural enterprises and research facilities. Membership of the club was initially restricted to senior staff from Scottish organisations but this has changed considerably over the years, Members can come from all levels of HE bodies, Research Institutes and kindred organisations concerned with agriculture and other rural activities but all need to be nominated by existing members and approved by Scotia Council.

Current Activities

The Club has enjoyed excellent programmes of summer visits in 2022 and 2023. Further details are available on this website, including full reports in the Members’ section:

106^th meeting to the Centre for sustainable Cropping, JHI, Balruddery Farm and to the Advanced Plant Growth Centre, JHI, Invergowrie
107^th meeting on 22^nd August 2022 to Buffalo Farm, Kirkcaldy, Fife and to Kettle Produce, Fife (field vegetable production).
108^th meeting on 13^th October 2022 to Lanarkshire larder – visits included Errington Cheese based at Walston Braehead Farm, Elsrickle; Damn Delicious at Thankerton Farm, Thankerton; and Wee Farm Distillery at Forth Mains farm, Climpy.
109^th meeting on 12^th June 2023 to Argaty Red Kites on Lerrocks Farm, Doune to explore conservation and rewilding projects being carried out on a traditional upland farm.
110^th meeting on 25th August 2023 to Craigies farm South Queensferry to discuss their involvement in school education via RHET, the Royal Highland Educational Trust and to the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Medicine at Bush Estate focused on animal welfare in the teaching of veterinary medicine.
111^th meeting on 12^th October to the Hawick area. The Club visited Southfield Farm which is operated by Innovis the UK’s leading sheep breeding company and also Standhill Farm which is Scotland’s only large-scale tomato producer.

In 2024 the Club plans three visits, the first to the Langholm Initiative, then to the JHI Climate Positive Farming Initiative at Glensaugh and finally to the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre at Dumfries House.

The AGM on 26^th November 2022 featured discussions on “Food Security and Supply issues of today” led by Dr Keith Dawson with an overview given by Julian Bell from SAC Consulting.

In 2023 the AGM featured an external talk entitled “Understanding financial hardship and vulnerability in rural areas – and the role small scale entrepreneurship can play in response.” Given by Polly Chapman, CEO, Impact Hub Inverness

The Club continues to support PhD students through its competition for second year students. Our plan is to further increase our commitment to education through the development of a student version of the Club, run for and by students but with engagement with Scotia Club members. The main aim will be to foster exchange of ideas between the generations. A seminar series is also planned with kindred organisations.