What if you’re a farmer approaching retirement age without succession arrangements in place? Sue Manning and Tober Brown, the current owners of Tombreck Farm in Perthshire, are facing this dilemma – as do many farmers in Scotland.

At noon on Tuesday 10th January 2017 the charity Abundant Borders will launch its innovative food project.

Bringing together skilled trainers, volunteers and trainees from across the Borders, the project aims to teach participants the basics of good food, how to grow fruit salads and vegetables for yourself, and the art of cooking simple nutritious and tasy meals. The launch takes place at Splash on Eyemouth Harbour.

The Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN) invite you to our Annual Gathering 9.30-4.30 on Saturday 4 February 2017, David Hume Tower*, George Sq, Edinburgh EH8 9JX.

As part of ScotLAND we are excited to announce the opportunity to take part in our Group Visit Scheme. The scheme provides the chance to learn about permaculture in practice by visiting a ScotLAND Centre.

We are excited to announce our 2017 Permaculture Scotland gathering will be held on the 30th June-2nd July. Our fantastic venue will be the Hidden Mill in Galloway, a 15 acre permaculture small-holding and ScotLAND Learner. More details to follow soon, get it in you diary now!

The Permaculture Scotland Working Group met in Dumfries to celebrate the success of the gathering in June and to learn more about sociocracy and how we can apply it to our Working Group.

By Beth Ramsay

Hello my name is Beth and I am the new Outreach Worker for Permaculture Scotland. I will be providing outreach support for the project “ ScotLAND Phase 2: Engaging hard to reach communities”:

Following a recent survey, the Permaculture Scotland Policy Working Group have identified the following issues as being very close to the hearts of our members. 

· Land reform and availability
· Food security
· Climate resilience
· Land & nature stewardship
· Community empowerment

A fantastic time was had at the Permaculture Scotland gathering in Coldstream by the over 80 attendees from across Scotland and Northern England. There were many interesting and thought provoking workshops, tours of the UK's oldest intentional food Forest Garden at Garden Cottage; fun, games and crafts for the kids and The Permaculture Scotland SGM.