From lifelong farmer to first-time farm owner
Aberdeenshire sheep farmer Craig Simpson has realised his long-held ambition of farming in his own right, joining a new generation of forward-thinking farmers.
Read time: 2 mins Added: 15/04/2026
Taking the leap at Brokenfolds
Craig’s opportunity to buy Brokenfolds Farm came unexpectedly when his boss, Paul, learned the owner wanted to sell. Paul agreed to forgo the final year of his lease, allowing Craig to purchase the farm directly.
By combining his savings with a 25 year £375,000 capital and repayment loan from Bank of Scotland, Craig bought the farm in May 2025.
The farm includes 70 acres of grassland, seven acres of woodland, 63 acres of arable land and a farmhouse he plans to renovate. A leased wind turbine also provides helpful additional income.
Continued progress
Craig is developing Brokenfolds alongside his full-time role at South Cranna Farms, with the goal of building it into a full-time, sustainable business. He now runs 300 ewes, focusing on improving flock health and productivity, with lambs sold at United Auctions, Huntly.
In addition to his flock development, Craig plans to introduce rotations of barley and potatoes onto the arable land.
Improvements in soil and stock
Improving soil health and strengthening the farm’s infrastructure are central to Craig’s plans. Reseeding pastures is a priority to support high-quality grazing, as well as putting a robust animal health plan in place to meet Scottish Government requirements.
Craig is also exploring woodland planting, renewable energy options, and good carbon auditing to improve long-term resilience and sustainability.
The hurdles of being new to the game
In Scotland, barriers to entry for farm ownership are high. The limited availability of agricultural land, coupled with high demand, makes it difficult for new buyers to acquire or lease land, elevating prices.
Craig admits he struggled with this at first.
Craig Simpson Brokenfolds FarmLand is scarce and expensive, but there’s support if you’re willing to work for it. I wasn’t prepared for the amount of paperwork involved – it took longer than I expected. But with the help of farm advisors and support from the bank, it all came together.
Backing from the bank
Alongside hard work and careful planning, securing the right financial support was critical to Craig’s purchase of Brokenfolds.
Jordan Grooby, Relationship Manager at Bank of Scotland, says that while securing finance can feel daunting, it’s achievable with the right preparation.
Jordan Grooby Relationship Manager at Bank of ScotlandSupporting Craig to purchase his first farm was a significant milestone, particularly given the challenge of moving from rented land to ownership. By working closely together, we structured funding that supported this step and gave him the confidence to invest in his future. Craig is a great example of the next generation of forward-thinking, sustainability-focused farmers.
Farming for the future
Craig aims to grow Brokenfolds into a high performing, sustainable sheep farm supporting the local market and community. He’s part of a new generation of Scottish farmers stepping up to drive the sector forward.
"Taking on this farm is a huge challenge, but it’s the right decision. The future of farming is in the hands of people like me - we’ve got to adapt, learn and make a difference.”
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