Highland farmers asked for funny stories to help Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution
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Scotland's agricultural industry is being urged to get behind a new book of light-hearted stories and raise funds for the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
RSABI, which supports people in Scottish agriculture, hopes the initiative will also raise the spirits of farming and crofting communities and encourage people to connect.
The new book, “Farming is Still a Funny Business”, is being compiled by farming journalist, Andrew Arbuckle, who needs around 300 stories for the publication which is due to be available for sale this autumn.
Mr Arbuckle is appealing to people in the farming community to contact him with stories for the book, which will be sold with all profits going to RSABI. He can be contacted by email: Andrew@andrewarbuckle.org or by phone on 01337 870209.
The latest initiative follows two previous books compiled by Mr Arbuckle and his brother John, which have collectively raised over £72,000 for RSABI.
Mr Arbuckle hopes that the proceeds of the third book will take that total to over £100,000.
The brothers were delighted with the huge success of their previous books, “Farming is a Funny Business” and “Farming Facts and Fake News”.
Mr Arbuckle said he already has "some excellent anecdotes of farming life which people have shared - but I need many more.
“The type of stories needed for the book can be very wide-ranging – from quirky tales of things which happened in years gone by to wry observations from people in this exceptional industry.
“More than ever before there is a need to be able to connect with people and relax and the aim is to get the book finished and published in time for autumn so it is available to buy as a Christmas gift.”
The institution was founded in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and in recognition of the deep agricultural depression at the time. Many tenant farmers struggled on, often until they died, rather than give up their tenancies to retire at a reasonable age. There were no pensions and little, if any, support for those no longer able to work.
RSABI chief executive Nina Clancy said the charity was delighted that another book is in the pipeline and urged people to support the book by contacting Andrew with their stories.
“This is an incredibly tough time for everyone and this is a great opportunity to share memories of fun and light-hearted experiences to raise everyone’s spirits."
The new title and the previous books will be available to buy for £10 via the online shop at www.rsabi.org.uk and at retail outlets throughout the country.
