Farming at Bemersyde

The fields surrounding Bemersyde are carefully balanced between arable crops and permanent pasture. Sheep graze on rolling grassland, while cattle help maintain healthy swards and enrich the soil. Crops are grown in rotation, reflecting a traditional approach that sustains soil fertility and encourages biodiversity. These practices connect modern farming with centuries of Borders heritage, when the land provided both livelihood and community.

Farming here is guided by a philosophy of stewardship. Hedgerows are maintained as shelter for livestock and corridors for wildlife. Margins around fields are left for wildflowers and pollinators. The balance of arable and grassland supports a mosaic of habitats where birds, insects, and mammals thrive. Guests often spot hares darting across the fields, buzzards wheeling overhead, and in the right season, the delicate flight of butterflies along the field edges.

Alongside its farming, the estate takes an active role in conservation. Woodland planting, riverbank protection, and careful grazing all contribute to preserving the beauty and diversity of the Bemersyde landscape. By combining productive farming with habitat care, the estate ensures that agriculture and wildlife not only coexist but enrich one another.

For visitors, the presence of farming is part of the estate’s charm. The sight of sheep on the hills, cattle grazing peacefully in the meadows, and fields turning golden at harvest all form the backdrop to a stay at Bemersyde. It is a reminder that this is not just a retreat, but a working countryside – shaped by people, animals, and nature in harmony.