Farming and industry: Badenoch and Speyside Way

Farming is one of Scotland's most important industries. It provides jobs and brings in money and the food that is produced here is sent all over the world. Farm land takes up almost 80% of Scotland's land area.

In this article you can learn about:

• types of farming in Scotland
• different kinds of industry
• nature reserves and wildlife

This article is suitable for learning about People, Place and Environment topics in primary school.

Join Isla and Connor as they explore the Badenoch and Speyside Way, and learn more about agriculture and industry.

Agriculture is the practice of farming.

There are many different types of farming in Scotland. What and how people farm can depend on the climate and weather, the type of landscape, and the soil. Here are some examples.

Different parts of Scotland are known for different kinds of farming. This is because there is a fairly wide range of types of soil here.

• Cattle and sheep farms can be found throughout Scotland. Sheep farming is the most common type of farm found in the north west, whereas the south west has more cows, raised for beef and dairy farming.
• Cereal farming, for crops such as wheat, oilseed rape, oats and barley, is often found in the east.
• The Scottish climate is relatively mild, which is helpful for growing soft fruits, berries and tomatoes, and introducing greenhouse and polytunnel farming has meant this can happen for more months of the year. These crops are mainly grown in fertile areas such as Angus and Tayside.

Farming is a hugely important primary industry in Scotland.

Primary industries produce raw materials. Meat, dairy, cereals, vegetables and fruits are either sold directly to customers, or sold to secondary industries.

Secondary industries are manufacturers of different kinds who turn raw materials into new products. For example:

• bakeries use flour to make different kinds of bread
• soft fruit can be used to make fresh jam
• a cheap grain like barley can go through several processes to make an expensive end product like malt whisky.

Tertiary industries are businesses that provide services, like restaurants and shops. Some sell the produce from farms and from food manufacturers to customers. Other tertiary industries include the businesses who transport produce. Much of Scotland's produce, at all levels of industry, is exported, which means it is sent to other countries for sale.

The Badenoch and Speyside Way walking routes run between Buckie, on the east coast of Scotland, and Newtonmore, in the Cairngorms National Park. There are plenty of interesting places to visit along the way for anyone walking or cycling one of the routes.

Here are a few examples of things you might see.

Learn more about Ruthven Barracks, which can be found along the Badenoch Way: Our Landscapes Then and Now: Ruthven Barracks

Nature reserves are areas of land or water, containing species or habitats of national importance.

The Insh Marshes are an area of floodplain near Kingussie. It is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. The River Spey bursts its banks and floods the land here several times a year, which makes it a perfect habitat for hundreds of plant species and several rare birds. Here are a few things you might find in the reserve.

agriculture - farming and cultivating land for rearing animals and growing crops.

primary industry - an industry like forestry, mining or agriculture that provides raw materials, either straight to the customer or for making other products.

secondary industry - an industry that makes something from raw materials to create a new product.

tertiary industry - an industry that provides services.

nature reserve - an area of land or water, containing species or habitats of national importance.

arable land - land that is used for farming.

rough grazing land - land that hasn't been worked for planting, for rearing animals.

livestock - farm animals raised for produce.

Design a poster showing how the produce grown locally to you might make it from the farm to your plate.

Research what kinds of crops and animals are farmed nearby and why that might be - what is the landscape like? (If you live in a city, think about neighbouring areas and the farms closest to you). Think about the steps each product makes on the way from the field to you.

Here is a guide on how to make a poster to help you get started!

Pupils from Kingussie Primary School share their facts and personal reflections about Ruthven Barracks, their local landmark.