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RBST Scotland Conference 2025
Get ready for the RBST Scotland Conference 2025 - "Native breeds: Their Role in Scotland's Agricultural Future"
Date and time: to
Location: Guardswell Farm
Organisation: Rare Breeds Survival Trust
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is pleased to announce Lynn Cassells, Jane Cooper and Jan McCourt as keynote speakers for the RBST Scotland Native Breeds Conference. The conference will take place on Thursday 31st July 2025 at Guardswell Farm, Inchture (Perthshire).
The full-day conference will explore the theme of ‘Native Breeds: Their Role in Scotland’s Agricultural Future’. It will bring together farmers, smallholders and retailers with politicians and conservationists to discuss rare and native breeds as the heart of sustainable and regenerative farming in Scotland, and the opportunities and challenges associated with accessing the full environment, economic and community benefits these breeds can deliver.
The keynote speakers announced are:
- Lynn Cassells – co-owner of Lynbreck Croft, a regenerative Highlands farm with livestock including Highland cattle and native breed pigs. Lynn is a conservation expert who also leads on sales, marketing and financial planning for the croft.
- Jane Cooper – Owner of the ‘Lost Flock’ of rare Boreray sheep in the Orkney Islands, Jane is taking a new, community-centred approach with this ancient native breed.
- Jan McCourt – RBST Trustee and native breed produce specialist, Jan was instrumental in the relaunch of London’s Borough Market. He farms with native livestock and runs an established farm shop on the Rutland/Leicestershire border.
The conference will also feature a live traditional butchery demonstration from Butchery Manager, Euan Simpson, Balcaskie Estate, using a Tamworth pig carcass, a culinary breakfast and lunch menu featuring Shetland beef and Hebridean hogget sourced directly from Guardswell Farm.
Expert panel sessions will examine rare native livestock’s role in sustainable farming, the opportunities and advantages native breeds provide, market opportunities and consumer demand, and these breeds’ role in policies for agriculture and climate goals. The expert speakers participating in these panel sessions will include, among others, Sam Parsons (Balcaskie Estate Manager), Colleen McCulloch (Senior Farming Programmes Manager at Soil Association Scotland), Rebecca McLellan (RBST Scotland Chair and owner of native breed business Chocflock), David Braithwaite (Hebridean Sheep breeder and Conservationist), and James Playfair-Hannay (NFUS Board Member and owner of Playfair Farms).
Book online; RBST Scotland Conference 2025 Tickets, Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 09:00 | Eventbrite
Prices to attend; £38.62
