Fossoway farm with a difference, where polo plays a part

Horses are at heart of North Kilduff

In the last 10 years universities have gone from having a few societies to the Schools and Universities Polo Association staging some of the biggest tournaments in the world.

THOM BELL

Thom Bell says each blade of grass on his land is accounted for, and he has good reason to make sure it is in top condition because a growing number of horses rely on it.

North Kilduff Farm, at Fossoway, is not your average farm. There are no cows, sheep, pigs, chickens or crops.

Instead, there are lots of horses enjoying the good life.

For those interested in all things equestrian it is perfect.

However, because of an increasing demand from those keen to learn how to play polo, Mr Bell and girlfriend Gilly need to find somewhere with more land for the ever-growing number of horses they own and look after.

As a result, they have made the tough decision to sell up.

Thom, from Northumberland, spent years working in the transport business and now runs his own transport and horsebox-building firm from the farm.

But it was his twin passions of hunting and playing polo which led him to buy North Kilduff Farm.

“I’m originally from farming stock and, after moving to Scotland 20 years ago, got interested in polo,” he said.

“I had a nice property, a hunter and a couple of polo ponies, but needed better facilities.”

Mr Bell said when they first saw the place the fields were a mass of bullrushes.

“Things have changed a lot since then,” he said.

“It’s been quite a challenge but we have thoroughly enjoyed it.

“It has been jolly hard work, but people now realise they no longer have to travel abroad to play and don’t need to have their own pony.

“We have people playing from a huge variety of backgrounds, while there’s a huge number of university students taking up the sport and many universities now have a polo society.

“In the last 10 years, universities have gone from having a few societies to the Schools and Universities Polo Association staging some of the biggest tournaments in the world,” Mr Bell added.