Coming from a non-farming background, to find yourself working across 22 and a half thousand hectares in the Scottish borders could be considered overwhelming.
But not for Mathilda Allison.
The 26 year old young farmer has taken it all in her stride, and more than that, she has made it her home.
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Growing up in a rural area, she has worked across various sectors, learning and expanding her skills, but after joining her local Young Farmers Club, a chance experience led her to where she is now.
"Young farmers gave me so many opportunities and the network was invaluable," says Mathilda.
"I got my first lambing job, then my first part time job on farm which led me to find a passion for sheep.
"I met my partner Teifion and now we contract shepherd at Invermark farm in the Angus Glens."
She was certainly ‘thrown in at the deep end' – the couple now manage 1,400 Swaledale ewes, a mix of Cheviots and Blackies across the vast and scenic Scottish landscape that spans 22,662 ha (56,000 acres).
Skills
But as a first-generation farmer and mother to toddler Mabel, she says this job is about more than just producing food, taking pride in the fact her children will know where their food comes from and witness her and Teifion caring responsibly for their animals.
"This is not just an occupation; these are important life skills and if my children can see it, they can carry it on," says Mathilda.
"They can help to protect rural communities, and I hope they become advocates of British farming."
It always carnage, she says, running their own home flock of Hebrideans alongside, plus chickens and horses.
And, of course, it is certainly not always easy given the challenging terrain.
But changing perceptions of how such areas are farmed is something she hopes to alter while showcasing her and Tavion's progressive nature – with over 39,500 followers she has a chance to tell farming's story, the tough days too.
She says: "[I want] to show behind-the-scenes and have honest conversations about what running a hill flock actually looks like, both emotionally and physically.
"The land is challenging, and it is often hard to check every single animal.
"It is so important to choose the best suited breeding and genetics so livestock can thrive and survive in a bio symbiotic relationship with the environment.
"If there is adverse weather they will have the best possible chance of survival.
"When you are hill farming you have to trust your stock and on gathering days, you could have six gatherers on various days because it is 56,000 acres."
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Conservation
There is a big drive towards the conservation of waders and ground nesting birds, and there are schemes in place for wild bird feed cover crops throughout, which are important for the reintroduction of the native grey partridge, plus habitat management for the native population of Black Grouse.
As for the future, Mathilda is keen to look at the genetics of the flock.
"It will be really important to look at grazing strategies to make the most of the pasture we have and make it more efficient for the future," she says.
"These upland farms make the most of land that is incapable of sustaining arable crops but can produce high calorie foods in the form of seasonal beef and lamb.
"It is basically a form of converting a non-edible shrub into a high-quality food using traditional methods and when managed alongside nature, it is one of the most sustainable ways of farming, whilst ensuring food security."
This life, she says, never fails to humble you, as does the community who have helped the couple immensely, and ‘there is so much value in asking for advice' in what can be an isolating and volatile industry.
Farming, particularly in this way, is, she says, ‘one of the most rewarding things you can do in life', and in a sector where you cannot control everything, be it prices or the weather, taking the small wins is something the couple focus on.
Working alongside Teifion and being with Mabel is something she cherishes, though.
"Working as a family is a massive motivation, although most of you know working with your partner is not for the light-hearted. If you get through a day in the pens and only fall out a few times, that is also considered a win. Our little one gets to grow up seeing first-hand what you can create from the land," says Mathilda.
"It is not just work it; is a way of life that we are building together."
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You can watch the full video with Mathilda on the Farmers Guardian YouTube channel now, along with the other videos in the Next Generation Hill Farmers series, sponsored by Kaiwaka.
