FARMING in the Highlands can be classed as one of the more challenging environments to make a living but when the land and livestock work in harmony the results can be good.

Scott Renwick is quite a busy farmer running his own beef and sheep farm at Inverbroom, in the north-west, whilst also managing a neighbouring estate farm and carrying out contract sheep gathering and shearing.

Scott Renwick is also a sheepdog trialist. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

Scott Renwick is also a sheepdog trialist. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

Together with his son, Farquhar and nephew, Gavin MacDonald, Scott runs 35 Luing cows and 15 Luing heifers and they also run 1900 North Country Cheviot ewes and sell the lambs as stores to lowland farmers for them to fatten on the better quality grasses.

Scott’s farming area extends to 20,000 acres of hill land, rising from sea level to a height of 3275 feet taking in some very hostile land for managing livestock on. He also has 300 acres of better quality land as well.

The Luing breed was founded by the Cadzow brothers on the island of Luing, in Argyll, off the West Coast of Scotland, starting in 1947, when they criss-crossed the Beef Shorthorn, well known for its fleshing qualities, and Highland cattle, regarded for its ruggedness and hardiness.

Scott Renwick breeds Luing cattle on his farm in north west Scotland. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

Scott Renwick breeds Luing cattle on his farm in north west Scotland. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

After more than 20 years of breeding evolution, the British Government then officially recognised the Luing as a breed in its own right in 1965. Nowadays, the breed’s hardiness and adaptability makes it the perfect choice for Scott’s farm and his cattle are in big demand on sale days.

“We run 35 Luing cows in our Lochbroom pedigree herd to produce offspring for sale,” said Scott. “As we are very busy during the summer period shearing sheep we need a cattle breed that can be left on its own on the hill and the Luing fits that bill perfectly.

“The temperament of the Luing is very good. When the cattle come off the hill they can sometimes be a little nervous but that’s because they are not so used to human contact. Mostly, though, they are very calm and do grow well on the hill.

"We sell the females at pedigree sales and they can make around £2600 each at two years old as bulling heifers. We also rear and sell the young bulls which can sell for over £5,000 each depending on the animal,” he added.

With the current Covid-19 restrictions, some of the stock, including a young bull, was sold via online auctions this year, which really is a first for most farmers in this pandemic.

Last year, Scott achieved a 120% lambing rate from the flock of North Country Cheviot sheep, which is a pretty good result for him given the local weather conditions and the terrain.

The trio run 1900 North Country Cheviot ewes. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

The trio run 1900 North Country Cheviot ewes. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

It's a fairly standard Highland set-up. “Some of the ewe lambs are kept as replacements,” said Scott, “with the remainder sold as store lambs for fattening and usually sell for £50 per head at that stage.”

With all that land mass to cover to collect cattle and sheep Scott and his team rely on a number of good dogs that make the task somewhat easier. All told, they have 12 dogs on the farm each trained to round up the cattle and sheep when required.

Scott has also had some top-notch success in sheepdog trials, having captained the Scottish dog trial team in 2009. He attempted his first trial at Gairloch, in 1980, just after he left school, and he came second in the local section. That was him hooked from then on.

Scotts son Farquhar is keen to learn from his dad. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

Scott's son Farquhar is keen to learn from his dad. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

He made the Scottish team with his dog Queen in 2009 and the next year, with Queen’s daughter, Roci, he won the Scottish National at Ballinluig, before going on to captain the team at the International finals at Lowther Park, near Penrith.

Scott said: “The trial dogs are not given any special treatment. They gather the high hills and work with cattle just like the rest of them. Quad bike access is limited further out the hill, so a team of good dogs is imperative on the steep hostile slopes, which form part of the Fannich range of mountains.”

Working alongside his son and nephew, Gavin, who farms 3000 acres at Clachan Farm, a separate business, the three work as a team. They contract gather for neighbouring farms and estates and carry out contract dipping and shearing.

In total, the trio will dip around 25,000 sheep in their mobile dipper each year, which is another good source of income for their traditional hill farming unit.

Scott’s son Farquhar started working on the farm immediately after leaving school and enjoys every moment of it. “I’m only 23 and am learning a lot from my dad and cousin,” he said. “I also work part-time driving a digger for a local contracting company.

Farquhar is also a dab hand at sheep shearing. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

Farquhar is also a dab hand at sheep shearing. PICTURE: Chris McCullough

“Working with the beef cattle and sheep is very rewarding. It is good to be following the footsteps of our family generations on this farm,” he added.