Testimonials - Scottish Countryside alliance

Capturing the essence of entrepreneurial spirit, Mike Forbes is a pig farmer by trade but runs part of a family owned 1200 acre mixed farming enterprise near Dundee. It is a shining example of diversification which illustrates how hard work can bring success. Having kept pigs since he was a small boy on his father’s farm, Mike has worked tirelessly to ensure that they always remained a priority amongst his other developing projects. Farming techniques were modernized and expanded to improve the health and quality of his animals. The farm buildings are set up for easer of access and hygiene, and to ensure top levels of welfare for his pigs.

As an archetypal rural enterpreneur though, Mike’s achievements do not end with happy pigs. He has grown soft fruit for years and has 20 acres of polytunnels for strawberries. Seasonal pickers are housed on site whilst a student liaison officer is employed to make sure that they are well looked after. In addition wheat and barley and potatoes are grown. Twelve years ago, Mike developed trout and coarse fishing ponds on the farm, which is perhaps no surprise considering that he used to fish for Scotland. The rolling terrain recently influenced his decision to create a 9 hole golf course with a driving range and putting green.

Eleven luxury self catering lodges, a restaurant, bar and corporate facilities and a highly sough after wedding venue – with 43 bookings for the next 2 years already – play their part – and several houses have been built and subsequently sold in the surrounding area. These houses are geo-thermically powered, saving 70% of normal heating and running costs. Children are kept occupied by an outdoor play area and a specially planted thistle-shaped maze.

Mike has had the determination and resolve to push forward all of the businesses over the last 20 years and it has not been for the easy or the faint hearted. He has also managed to be a terrific husband and father of 3 children, the eldest of whom is battling leukaemia. As his wife Gail observed, ‘Even if he’s not your hero, he’s certainly mine!’

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