Sisters from Bigton are Britain’s Farming Heroes

Two young women who took over the family farm following the death of their father in an accident have picked up the BBC Countryfile Farming Heroes Award.

Aimee and Kirsty Budge run Bigton Farm, situated on the west coast of Shetland’s south mainland. The area is known for its spectacular scenery and St Ninian’s Isle forms part of the farm.

From an agricultural point of view, the land is some of the best in Shetland. Most of the farm is in permanent pasture and intensive grassland. But crops are grown, too, and Bigton is one of only a few units in Shetland that can produce barley, typically around 60 tonnes annually. The sisters also breed Shetland cross Cheviot sheep and Saler cross Shorthorn cattle.

The sisters received the accolade at the BBC Food and Farming Awards ceremony, held in Bristol on 13 June, after their remarkable story won the admiration of the BBC Countryfile audience. Handing over their certificate, Countryfile presenter and farmer, Adam Henson, said: "Kirsty and Aimee have not just stepped into the shoes of their father, they are pioneering farming in Shetland and if I could hire them I would."

The sisters’ mother, Helen, was understandably very proud of them. She told the BBC: "I will never ever believe how much they have been able, in the absolute depth of tragedy, to step up. They have done it for their dad."

The entire Shetland community will echo those thoughts and we send our congratulations and very best wishes for the future.