CREATURE COMFORTS

With stunning clifftop views stretching out towards the horizon, life is rather lovely at Doonies Farm in Aberdeen. The beauty spot has been popular with visitors for decades and has become somewhat of an institution for people of all ages.

Tucked away on the coast road, Doonies is home to hundreds of animals.

But it’s not just the standard sheep or cow which you’ll find happily grazing in the fields, for Doonies has created its very own niche.

It offers a haven for rare breeds which could otherwise die out and is one of only two Rare Breeds Survival Trust-approved conservation parks in Scotland.

There are six rare breeds of sheep, one rare breed of goat, one rare breed of horse and one rare breed of pony.

There are fewer than 300 Eriskay ponies left in the UK, making the resident Misty and Rhona rarer than pandas.

The Lennox family have lived at the farm since 1994, and officially took over from the council 10 years ago.

Debbie and Graham Lennox have spent the past decade ensuring that the next generation is educated on rare breeds and life in agriculture.

They would normally be readying themselves for their busiest period, the summer holidays.

The play area, which should be full of excited children, remains silent.

Covid-19 means Doonies has had no choice but to close to the public, thus losing a considerable part of its income.

But while the car park may lie empty, life on the farm does not – and cannot – grind to a halt.

Lambing season cares not for a pandemic, and Charlie the goat still expects to be fed.

The wheels must keep turning in the world of agriculture, and indeed for those who look after animals full stop.

From animal-rescue centres to operational farms, dedicated staff have continued to show up and go about their work.

From financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, to the joy of working in the great outdoors, we spoke to the key workers who have perhaps been forgotten.

Alice Lennox was only six months old when her family made the move to Doonies, and she has unsurprisingly grown up with a love for animals.

Now 27 and assistant farm manager, she made the decision to move back in with her parents when lockdown was announced.

Here, Alice explains why working in isolation is nothing new, as there’s really nowhere else she’d rather be.

Alice Lennox on Doonies Farm with Eriskay ponies Rhona, left, and Misty