Views make woes worth it

Connectivity and better internet connections are an absolute must for rural communities. Unfortunately, despite fibre cabling passing our gate since two years we are unable to become connected. The reasons given are that we are too far away from the our local exchange and the green box that seems to be the vital component.

When I question BT I keep being told that the fibre broadband roll out is ahead of schedule across the country.

I fear that this is another box ticking exercise. Due to the small number of us living in the hamlet of Armadale we will be well down the list of priority communities to being switched over to fibre. Quite literally we are at the end of the line like many outlying areas.

It has taken myself and my niece Frances eight frustrating days trying to post the video of our lambs being sold in Lairg last month to social media.

In an effort to publish the film all mobile phones, tablets and household devices that may have been using the precious internet were banned.

I eventually moved my computer and myself 30 miles east to the home of my agricultural merchant who had fibre broadband and a green box at the end of their road. I was never so glad to read the notification from Facebook that your publication has been successful.

Thank goodness for understanding friends and long suffering family.

In my farming posts to social media I always try to keep things as realistic as I can. This was why I was determined to upload our lamb sale video.

Friends and followers have seen the complete farming year and the work that has gone into producing these store lambs.

It is important that the consumers know where and how their food is being produced and that nine-minute film from the ring in Lairg is a very important part of the journey.

Forty-eight hours after the film had been uploaded it had been viewed more than 5,000 times.

Despite the battle with poor internet, this for me is a cheap and easy way to get your livestock out there to a much larger audience and potential buyers of Scotch Lamb.

As summer ends and we roll into the autumn myself, like many other shepherds and sheep breeders, will be struck down with an annual dose of ‘tup fever’. I am told that mine manifests itself in a much better stocked fridge and drinks cabinet in case of visits from potential buyers.

My nearest and dearest tell me that I cannot hold a rational conversation that does not revolve around sheep. Rather harsh but unfortunately true observations.

One of the big changes that social media has brought to this time of year is the ease that breeders have to advertise their animals. My newsfeed on Facebook over the next few weeks will see more and more pictures, videos and details of livestock vendors will be bringing forward to sell this backend.

It’s a great way for the agricultural industry to do something positive for ourselves if the technology and internet connection allows.

Keep track of the goings-on at Armadale at https://www.facebook. com/jock.campbell.169.

Forty-eight hours after the film had been uploaded it had been viewed more than 5,000 times.