Prior to becoming one of your Members of the Scottish Parliament, I ran (and continue to run) a small sheep farm near Buckie for the past fifteen years or so.
It has given me the most exceptional insight to the rewards of farming, but also the many challenges that farmers face across Scotland.
Despite only coming into the Scottish Parliament this year, I have already been involved in a number of pieces of legislation that will have a profound impact on farmers, crofters, and other land managers, including the Wildlife Management & Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, and the Agriculture & Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, the latter of which I was able to secure some amendments on.
My third speech to Parliament was on Stage 1 of the Agriculture & Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, and I delivered it live from my lambing shed, in part because I became an MSP during lambing season, and I had to be present on the farm, but also to highlight the challenges that our farmers face.
Looking ahead, there are a number of bills which will doubtless have more impact on the industry, including the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill, and the yet to be published Natural Environment Bill.
It is therefore more important than ever that there are MSPs on the side of our farmers, crofters and land managers.
As with other issues that I will be championing, my door is open to farmers, crofters and other land managers across the Highlands and Islands Region who require help or support.
