This Farming Life

Carianne searches for the mother of an abandoned newborn calf on the remote Isle of Vallay. The Barclay family work round the clock to ensure their Beltex ewes safely deliver their lambs, overseeing each birth with constant attention.

The episode is a short television programme that centres on two separate but related rural stories. It follows Carianne as she looks for the missing mother of a newborn calf, and it also tracks the Barclay family as they tend to their flock of beltex ewes. Both narratives are set against the backdrop of the Scottish islands, giving the viewer a glimpse of life in a remote agricultural community. In the first part of the episode, Carianne makes her way around the isle of Vallay, searching for the mother of an abandoned newborn calf. The calf has been left alone, and Carianne’s task is to locate the dam so the youngster can be reunited with its family. Her search takes her across the island’s terrain, highlighting the challenges of finding a missing animal in a sparsely populated landscape. The second storyline shows the Barclay family working round the clock to make sure their beltex ewes give birth safely. Their dedication means they are on hand at any hour, overseeing the lambing process and ensuring each ewe and its lamb are looked after properly. The family's commitment underscores the constant vigilance required in sheep farming. Together, the two segments illustrate the everyday commitment of people who look after livestock in isolated settings. By following Carianne’s quest and the Barclay family’s labour, the programme paints a picture of perseverance and care that keeps the island’s farm animals thriving.