Marc Gaiscoigne, who is visiting the UK for a 12-date Farmstrong Scotland tour that started yesterday (30 January) at the Royal Highland Centre, says taking time off the farm is as important as putting fertiliser on crops or detergent through a milking parlour.
Inspired by the popular 2018 tour of Doug Avery, another New Zealand farmer who won plaudits for speaking with honesty about his mental health challenges, the initiative aims to get people in rural communities talking about their mental resilience and make protecting it a priority.
The speaking tour is just the beginning of a prolonged campaign planned for the Scottish agricultural sector by the newly established Farmstrong Scotland team, which will aim to help people find ways to improve their mindset, stay farm fit – by eating and sleeping well – and stay connected with others.
Farmstrong New Zealand has seen considerable uptake in the farming community after running for several years, helped by the support of rugby union star Sam Whitelock.
Tour dates are as follows and registration is via Eventbrite.
| Date | Time | Location |
| 30 January | 7pm | Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston |
| 31 January | 7pm | Border Union Showground, Kelso |
| 2 February | 7pm | GG’s Yard, Laggan |
| 3 February | 7pm | Western House Hotel, Ayr |
| 6 February | 7pm | Dewars Centre, Perth |
| 7 February | 7pm | Thainstone Specialist Auctions, Inverurie |
| 9 February | NFU Scotland Conference, Glasgow | |
| 11 February | 1pm | Rugby Club, Orkney |
| 13 February | 7pm | Pentland Hotel, Thurso |
| 14 February | 7pm | Dingwall Mart, Humberston |
| 15 February | 6pm | Rockfield Centre, Oban |
