A newly-published book written by Guild member Andrew Arbuckle marks NFU Scotland’s centenary.
Titled The First 100 Years – The Story of NFU Scotland, the book was launched during the union’s annual meeting, reports The Scottish Farmer, where Andrew, a freelance journalist and author, was on hand to sign commemorative copies.
The book traces the union’s formative years, the role of farming in feeding a nation during two World Wars, numerous protests, the arrival of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the impact of weather and animal diseases right up to the modern day organisation.
Packed with photographs of some of the characters and events that established the union’s reputation, it features comments and input from many of those who have made the union the force that it is today.
Commenting on the task he faced in writing the book, Andrew said: “NFU Scotland has been a large part of my life, initially as a member and latterly as an agricultural journalist. It has been a great privilege to write the history of the union, as well as being good fun discovering the big issues of days gone past.
“It has also been very interesting to see family names crop up as different generations take their place in farming politics,” he added. “One of the most difficult decisions I faced was which parts were significant and which were only matters of the moment.
“I hope readers will agree I have caught the essence of Scotland’s leading rural lobbying organisation.”
NFU Scotland’s current president Nigel Miller – the 60th person to hold the presidential post – said: “It is a humbling experience reading this book and getting a real flavour of all that the union has delivered for Scottish food and farming in the past 100 years.
“It has been a truly fascinating journey – one that has taken in some real highs in terms of lobbying achievements and some real lows, such as foot-and-mouth disease and the extreme weather events of recent years.
“It is perhaps in these times of adversity that the union shows its true merit and Andrew’s book encapsulates the people and events that have shaped NFU Scotland.”
Peter Hill
