Nic MacLeod is building a life that blends farming, family and a fast paced career in policy and this conversation is an honest and energising look at what it means to take the long way round and make it your own.

By no means a traditional career path but with a deep love for rural life, we follow Nic’s path from managing a veterinary practice in Vancouver to returning home during COVID and stepping into a role with Scottish Land and Estates where she has grown into a policy and public affairs position. She shares how she found her niche in a space she never expected and why shaping the future of rural Scotland through policy now feels like exactly where she is meant to be.

Alongside her career Nic has taken the leap into farming as she builds her own fold of Highland cattle from scratch. She speaks openly about the steep learning curve from breeding decisions to animal handling and the reality of learning on the job while juggling work and family life.

Community runs at the heart of this episode. From family support and friendships to networks like the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, Nic reflects on the people who make it all possible and the importance of not doing it alone. She also shares the honest truth that there is rarely a perfect time to start something new and sometimes you simply have to take the leap and figure it out as you go.

This is a conversation about backing yourself, embracing the unexpected and creating a life that does not follow a straight line but feels right all the same.

The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.

Connect with Nic and follow the journey of Mac Farms on social media : Instagram - @nicmacleodsle / @mac_farms \\ LinkedIn - Nic MacLeod / Scottish Land & Estates

Episode Recorded on 31st March 2026.

All views expressed are our own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katrina Candy is a woman who wears many hats — children's book author, mother, wife, business owner, and director of the Heather Trust. In this episode, Katrina shares her journey from a career in PR and journalism to her current role at the helm of a charity that focuses on upland management and conservation.

We dive into Katrina’s love for the rural landscape, which began in her childhood and has shaped much of her career. Katrina opens up about the challenges and rewards of leading a charity that deals with the unique issues of upland management, including peatland restoration and heather beetle research. She also shares the exciting work she’s been doing with the Women in the Uplands network, creating a space for women living in rural upland areas to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

This episode is full of passion for the land, dedication to conservation, and a deep belief in the power of community. It’s a reminder that no matter your background, hard work and curiosity can lead you to a career that makes a real impact on the world around you.

The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.

Connect with Katrina and The Heather Trust on social media : Instagram - @theheathertrust \\ LinkedIn - The Heather Trust / Katrina Candy

Find Katrina's latest book 'Heather Munro's Race Against the Flames' here: https://www.heathertrust.co.uk/shop

Episode Recorded on 16th March 2026.

All views expressed are our own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Educational Episode 3 : Business Structures for Rural Businesses with Lorna Balfour and Laura Kirkman

With so much change, legislative and otherwise, we’re continuing our series of educational episodes to bring insights, advice and awareness to support your families and businesses. In this series we’ve already looked at IHT and Succession Planning and this episode is about your business structure - what it is, why it matters, what options you’ve got and how it supports good succession planning. M

Key Takeaways you can expect from tuning in: -

• Your business structure shapes everything. From ownership and decision-making to profit distribution, risk exposure, and how easily the business can be sold or passed on.
• There’s no one-size-fits-all approach – sole traders, partnerships, LLPs, and limited companies each offer different balances of simplicity, tax treatment, liability protection, and succession flexibility.
• Risk and diversification should drive structure decisions – higher-risk or non-core activities are often best separated into their own legal entities to protect the wider business.
• Good agreements and forward planning are essential – having clear, up-to-date written agreements in place can prevent disputes, support continuity, and save significant stress when circumstances change.

With case studies to bring this to life, this is a must listen for every rural business whatever stage you are at!

The Award Winning Women in Wellies Podcast is sponsored by Scottish Law firm, Gillespie Macandrew, advising on all areas of land & rural business, private client, energy and real estate.

Connect with Lorna, Laura and Gillespie Macandrew on social media : LinkedIn - Lorna Balfour / Laura Kirkman / Gillespie Macandrew LLP \\ Instagram - @Gillespiemacandrewllp

Episode Recorded on Friday 20th February 2026.

All views expressed are our own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.