Backfell Smallholding Courses 

Are you interested in self-sufficiency? Are you considering keeping your own animals or growing your own vegetables for food?

We run a variety of courses that cover topics such as: keeping sheep, poultry, land management, bee keeping and other aspects of small holding and self sufficiency. 

We have a small-holding of about 50 acres made up of mixed grazing, rough pasture and woodland set in rural surroundings of Dumfries and Galloway. We already have a flock of Black Welsh Mountain (cross) sheep, some chickens (and two dogs), and next on our list of stock is acquiring pigs. We don't "do" arable, we haven't the right land/climate though veggie patches are entirely possible.

Conversion of some of the former byres to self-catering holiday accommodation supplements farm income (and also provides a useful annexe for friends and family! www.backfell.co.uk). We also run a small business selling range cookers, stoves and log burning central heating boilers (www.gallowaytraditionalcookers.co.uk) - so there is never a dull moment!

We would not call ourselves experts however we have built up a level of knowledge and experience which we would be happy to share with you, as well as going through the practicalities and considerations of keeping animals and managing the land, to help you in your future endeavours (and maybe help you avoid some of the mistakes we have made!).

It should also give you an introduction to smallholding as well as the opportunity to start a "help - network", which can prove invaluable in the early stages - and a comfort later on!

There is an advantage to learning from relative newcomers as we have not had time to forget our mistakes and we would be delighted to welcome you to Backfell, near Castle Douglas in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire.