Izzy Scott, Marketing and Administration Student

I joined the Balcaskie team in summer 2023 as a marketing and admin student, my role here at Balcaskie has allowed me to do a lot more than my job tile would suggest. I have worked in almost every department around the estate from stalking deer to marketing meetings in Edinburgh, the role has provided me with an unmatched experience which I am very grateful for.

 I came to Balcaskie on my placement year from my studies at Harper Adams University in Shropshire. The course requires students to work for a year before they return for their final year of studies, Balcaskie offered 3 placements to Harper students, and I was lucky enough to be selected for my role alongside Iestyn and Reece the 2 agricultural students.

My favourite part of the job has been the variety, at the start of my placement I worked closely alongside Rosie and Kat to understand how the Bowhouse Market weekends run and how much goes into them, it’s a lot! The Christmas market run up was my favourite, we hung over 60 wooden stars in the hall and decorated multiple Christmas trees transforming the hall. I have worked some pretty cool events at Bowhouse including Don’t Walk Fashion Show, which takes over a week to clear and prep the hall for. I spent a lot of my time capturing photographs on the estate which were used on social media to help explain to the public why we do what we do here at Balcaskie.

 Throughout my placement I regularly spent days in the butchery with Euan and Romain prepping and attending markets held out with Balcaskie and recently learnt how to breakdown a lamb carcass alongside the other students on the estate.

Out of office days were always very enjoyable. Alongside the Bowhouse team I have attended multiple food and drink events, including Scotland Food & Drink awards and the Scotland Food & Drink fortnight launch at Lind and Lime distillery.

In summer 2023 we had a Balcaskie team trip to the Isle of Bute to learn more about the challenges farmers face over there and to visit Bute yard, a newly developed multi-use venue which features food and drink from the Isle of Bute.

In November I was selected as one of 27 Agritourism under 35 scholars in the 2023 program, we spent 2 days on a course in Edinburgh, on day one we focused on personal and agritourism sector development and on day two we met several Scottish Government representatives at the Scottish Parliament discussing the issues with Agritourism. We then attended the Agritourism conference in Perth which discussed a variety of themes from succession, sustainability and we had the chance to meet so many inspirational and passionate people within the industry.

As my year has drawn to an end, I would like to thank the Balcaskie team for having me! The year has flown by, and I can quite happily say I have enjoyed all of it.