Sarah finds warmth on ice - and plenty of competition! - at the annual farmer's curling competition at Perth's Dewar Centre.

160 people from all over Scotland take part in the Chuck Hay Memorial Bonspiel, in teams of 4, over three days in January.

There is camaraderie and connection - which is especially important in the bleak dark month of January, when isolation can feel particularly pronounced.

In this episode:

1. event organisers and brothers Sandy and Dave Hay tell Sarah what the event is all about, and pay tribute to their father, Chuck Hay, a former curling world champion
2. sheep farmers Glen and Thomas Muirhead - brothers of Eve Muirhead - stop by to share thoughts on the competition
3. Farmstrong's own Alix Ritchie shares thoughts on why events like this are great for social connection and wellbeing

If listening to this episode has made you want to check out curling, please visit Scottish Curling's "Try Curling" website. It has info on all the ice rink venues across Scotland where there are organised taster sessions with qualified coaches. The sessions are open to anyone who wants to give it a go. You simply enter your postcode / location to get a list of times and venues. Link here:

Sandy Hay is a trustee for RSABI - whose 24-hour helpline (below) is available to anyone in Scottish agriculture, and who offer practical, emotional and financial support: https://www.rsabi.org.uk/

How’s It Going?

Take a moment for yourself: try Farmstrong Scotland’s How’s It Going? tool. Answer eight simple questions and get access to resources tailored to support you.

Farmstrong Scotland helps farmers, crofters and their families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.

Follow Us

Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.

Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.

You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone.

Contact your doctor, RSABI’s 24-hour helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587, or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123.

This is a groundbreaking episode of Blether Together - as Sarah Stephen meets our first ever husband and wife duo – Willie Thomson and Anna Davies.

Anna and Willie are tenants on a 250-acre arable farm near Haddington.

They recently converted a steading into co-working spaces. Anna also runs rural PR and marketing firm Scene and Herd, and hosts Scottish farming podcast OnFARM.

It’s a busy life – but recent health challenges for Willie have prompted a change in pace and approach.

How’s It Going?

Take a moment for yourself: try Farmstrong Scotland’s How’s It Going? tool. Answer eight simple questions and get access to resources tailored to support you.

Farmstrong Scotland helps farmers, crofters and their families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.

Follow Us

Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.

Follow Farmstrong Scotland on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.

You can also subscribe to our Spotify Playlist including hundreds of tunes, recommended by farmers and crofters across Scoland.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone.

Contact your doctor, RSABI’s 24-hour helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587, or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123.

Being involved in Young Farmers - SAYFC - is fun, empowering, and a vital social connection for younger people across rural Scotland.

In this special Blether Together, recorded with a live audience at AgriScot, Sarah Stephen speaks with Jack Young, a current young farmer, and Catriona Gemmell, who recently aged out of being part of SAYFC.

Together, they consider the part SAYFC plays in wellbeing in rural Scotland - and how to keep social connections going when the dreaded day comes that you are too old to be part of Young Farmers!

Also featured in this episode:

Emily Simpson - SAYFC Events and Engagement Manager

Jillian Kennedy - SAYFC Chair

Will Murray - TikTok creator, sheep farmer, and ex SAYFC member

How’s It Going?

Take a moment for yourself: try Farmstrong Scotland’s How’s It Going? tool. Answer eight simple questions and get access to resources tailored to support you.

Farmstrong Scotland helps farmers, crofters and their families cope with the ups and downs of rural life by sharing practical ways to look after themselves and the people around them. It’s a peer-to-peer programme, shaped by scientific insight and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support each other’s wellbeing.

Follow Us

Visit the Farmstrong Scotland website to find out more.

Follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, or subscribe to our Spotify Playlist, which includes hundreds of tunes recommended by farmers and crofters across Scotland.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone.

Contact your doctor, RSABI’s 24-hour helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587, or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123.