Former WO1 Jacqui Lawrence joined us at Bicton for RRW44 in March 2024 with a view to developing a smallholding she had in northern Scotland.

A year later and now out of the Army, we caught up with Jacqui to find out how plans were progressing.

“I’m all good up in the Highlands and thank you for reaching out. The small holding will hopefully move forward this year with our first chickens and pigs coming in the spring. And maybe some lambs at the end of the year.

That side of things feels easier, and a lot more fun. Getting everything together for the planning permission and license for glamping cabins is a bit of a slower process but we’re working through it and need a consultant to get it all sorted. We have converted an out building into a bar/games room/coffee shop which we’re hoping to open to walkers this season (and maybe campers) – what we’re going to do about ablutions is the headache at the moment!”

At the end of the rural week, Jacqui had expressed an interest in being able to give back to HighGround and we hope to use her considerable skills in future.