Farmers invited to “Planning for the Future” Events

Over the next six weeks, a series of events will take place around Scotland aimed at combining the serious business of advice and support to help farmers prepare for the future, with a chance for a pre-lambing social over a bite to eat. 

The events are being run by RSABI working in partnership with The Royal Countryside Fund and will feature legal, business planning, farm accounts, mediation and succession experts who will lead some lively discussions to help farming families plan for the future.

The line-up of speakers set to share their expertise with farmers at events in Perthshire, Orkney, Aberdeenshire and Dumfries-shire includes Jenn Stewart, Partner and Head of Rural at Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants, who will shine a light on tax and business planning; Heather Wildman of Saviour Associates who will be sharing top tips for succession planning; Gordon Davies, a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and registered mediator at Scottish Mediators, who will be offering insights into how best to tackle difficult conversations; and Emma Robertson, Partner at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP who, together with, Ellen Eunson, Rural Lawyer with Anderson Strathern, and Alastair Dale, Partner, Dales Solicitors LLP, will be highlighting the importance of planning for the next generation, including getting it right with wills and power of attorney.

Three or four speakers from those named will attend each of the different events around the country, joined by Carol McLaren, CEO of RSABI, sharing advice on managing stress and building resilience, and Doug Bell, Scottish co-ordinator of The Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm Resilience Programme, who will chair the meetings. 

The events, which all start at 6pm with an opportunity to enjoy a catch up with fellow farmers over a bite to eat, will be held as follows:

Thursday, February 27 - The Royal George Hotel, Perth, 6pm 
Thursday, March 13th - Woodland House Hotel, Dumfries, 6pm 
Monday, March 24th - Thainstone Mart, Inverurie, 6pm  
Tuesday, March 25th - Albert Hotel, Kirkwall Orkney, 6pm 

A further online meeting will be held via Zoom – date to be confirmed.

Interested farmers, and others involved in Scottish agriculture, should register for these free events via Eventbrite and more information is available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk and social media platforms.

The roadshow is being funded by the Scottish Government’s Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund and will be supported by a series of videos related to the topics which will be discussed at the events. 

“We are delighted to be supporting The Royal Countryside Fund by delivering this roadshow in Scotland,” said Carol McLaren, CEO, RSABI."

“The meetings will all start with an opportunity to enjoy some food and a catch up with fellow farming folk, followed by a really useful update from some excellent speakers and a chance to discuss and air any confusion and concern about how to plan for the future."

“Our thanks to all the speakers who are very kindly supporting the roadshow and sharing their thoughts and experience for this exceptional opportunity to farmers to receive thoughts and advice on steps they should be considering to protect their families and their businesses.”

RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.