A farming family from Cornhill will be flying the flag for the north-east on the television programme ‘This Farming Life’ over the coming months.
George and Isla French’s farm at Little Rowater is one of six across Scotland to feature in this year’s 12-part series, which starts this evening on BBC Two.
The couple, who bought the 100-acre farm almost five years ago, have spent the past year being followed by camera crews as they tended to their belted Galloway cattle, ostriches, deer, sheep and emus.
“Our farm is different to what most people would do,” Mrs French, 32, said.
“We really love the animals that we have got and the diversity on the farm.
“It keeps things interesting. We were approached by the BBC after someone recommended us.”
Mrs French, who studied at Scotland’s Rural College in Aberdeen, and husband George, 37, juggled setting up the farm around his work as a mechanical engineer at Ace Winches, and raising their three children Felicity, 5, three-year-old Joy, and George, 2.
“The filming was really good and the BBC were brilliant with us,” Mrs French added.
“The crew were really friendly and put us right at ease, so it’s been an enjoyable experience.”
Filming did, however, get “turned on its head” mid-way through as coronavirus struck, making things “tricky” for all involved.
During lockdown, the family had to keep their own video diaries in the absence of the crew’s visits and learn to fit their own microphones and equipment.
“I think some times the idea of having a film crew around can be daunting, but we enjoyed it,” Mrs French added.
“The kids took it all in their stride and I’m very impressed with how they handled it and just carried on being themselves.”
The family admit the most daunting part is perhaps yet to come, with them all “nervous but excited” to see the first hour-long episode.
Mrs French said: “It is nerve-wracking.
“There was a lot of footage gathered and we don’t know quite what will be used, so we’ll be watching it and wondering if we’ll be cringing or not.”
The first hour-long episode airs on BBC Two this Tuesday, August 18, at 8pm.
