Mother’s
Day is traditionally the one day of the year when mums across the
country are guaranteed a day of rest and relaxation. However, that’s not
the case for one of Scotland’s leading Scotch assured farmers, Shona
Duncan, and her daughters Rebecca (24) and Sally (22).
The mother and daughter duo work closely together running their farm
and agritourism destination featuring luxury glamping pods on the
idyllic banks of Loch Lomond. Duncan Family Farms is an ‘all hands-on
deck’ business with farming at its heart.
Despite celebrations, Mother’s Day will look no different to any
other day on the farm and Shona admits: “Mother’s Day is typically more
chaotic given it lands in the middle of lambing time, so we all need to
work together to ensure we keep all our new-born lambs and mothers safe
and well.
“I’m sure I’ll get handed a box of chocolates and a card at some
point in the day and I honestly wouldn’t want it any other way.”
As a family-run business for over 50 years, the Duncans have all
attended Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), with both daughters getting a
taste of student life in all its sociable glory before Covid hit and
they returned home.
Working as a tight knit group works well for Shona, Rebecca and
Sally, with each responsible for a different area of the business. They
each head off in different directions early in the morning, only to get
back together over a coffee at 10am. A typical day can see Rebecca
heading out on the tractor and feed wagon whilst Sally might focus on
booking administration for the cottages and pods.
Shona said: “Our team dynamic works well as we each have our own
responsibilities that we are passionate about. Should any differences
arise we settle these around the kitchen table – normality is usually
resumed in a few hours and we’ll have gotten over our huffs.”
Farming is at the forefront of their business as a Scotch assured
farm and one of nine Monitor Farms in Scotland. The Monitor Farm
programme, managed by QMS with support from AHDB, aims to help farms
reach full economic, social, and environmental sustainability by
optimising production through farmer led knowledge exchange with support
from specialists and experts.
The Duncans are leading change in the farming community through
diversification, and the choice for both daughters to pursue a career in
the family firm has allowed mum, Shona, to grow other areas including
their recently renovated on site cottages and glamping pods.
Sally said: “Our accommodation brings a mix of families and couples
from across the UK who want to book a break away from it all and enjoy
the rural community we live in. Some guests use us as a comfortable base
for walking and cycling and others are happy to sit in the hot tub and
enjoy a glass off fizz and the scenery.”
Growing and transforming Duncan Family Farms into what it is today
has been no easy feat for the family, but Shona’s hard work and
determination has inspired her daughters to muck in and fully embrace
farm life.
Rebecca remembers: “I used to be scared of the cows as a child and
now I’m responsible for making sure 150 of them are happy and fed every
morning.”
Shona added: “Rebecca would say from a young age ‘I want to be just like Mum and wander about in my wellies all day’!”
This Mother’s Day, treat your mum or mother figure to a memorable getaway at www.duncanfamilyfarms.co.uk.