A £3m revamp on a bull stud farm in the Highlands has been completed, according to the Scotsman.

The redevelopment has seen the outdated farm buildings demolished and replaced with a new office, quarantine building, main bull housing building, GP building and a new silage clamp.

As part of the works, sustainable development measures were implemented and include an airsource heating system, solar thermal and solar PV panels, as well as a rainwater attenuation pond and a designed farm wetland.

Additional biosecurity measures have also been included in the initiative, such as a double fence with wire stock-fence and electric top wire and hedge planting around bull grazing fields


Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse, who officially opened the stud farm, said: "The Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme is vital for our crofters giving them access to high quality, healthy bulls which ensures they can provide quality calves to improve the productivity of crofts and boost the supply of premium product for the Scottish beef industry.

"The modernised stud provides quality modern accommodation for the bulls which is more fit for purpose with an increased emphasis on health and safety and we have optimised the bulls’ welfare needs."

The project also enabled 15 local construction students to carry out a programme of work placements, while others undertook a series of Get Ready for Work placements.

Frank Reid, Regional Managing Director of Robertson, said: "Investing in a properly skilled workforce is one of our key priorities. As a result of our involvement in the Bull Stud Modernisation Project we have been able to take on a number of new apprentices and also employ an undergraduate student quantity surveyor who will complete her degree while working for us.

"We’ve also worked with our subcontractors to introduce training plans for their staff and operatives as part of their contracts with us."

(JP/CD)