Glenbarr farmer takes NFU Scotland vice-president role

Under the terms of the constitution, with Duncan and Robert both being elected to the position for the first time, they will initially serve for two years before the post reverts to an annual election.

That means that for the next 24 months Duncan and Robert will make up NFU Scotland’s presidential team alongside newly elected president Andrew Connon (Aberdeenshire).

Duncan expects to be spending an average of three days a week on his new role and is looking forward to the challenge.

"It’s quite a commitment," he admitted. "There is a lot of reading to do and a lot of correspondence to get through.

"Farming in Scotland is facing many challenges but now is the time to be positive. As well as selling our produce we have to sell our way of lives, and what we are doing for our country and communities.

"It has been pretty grim over the past 30 years but now is the time to talk a more positive game and let the Goverments know what we are doing for the countryside.

"We are employing people, keeping rural communities busy and keeping rural schools open and it’s a time to be positive."   

One of Duncan’s missions in his new role is to promote All terrain vehicle (ATV) safety - something which is very close to his heart.

"Farmers are the world’s worst. They jump on these bikes and they can be dangerous," he said.

"We lost two people in Argyll last year through ATV accidents and I lost a friend in Ayrshire in a roll over incident. That’s three too many in my mind and we need to raise awareness and promote the use of the safety equipment which is out there."

Duncan is now looking forward to joining forces with the new president and fellow  

"The role carries a lot of responsibility but along with Andrew and Robert we will be working hard as a team. It is not going to be a one man band and we want the membership to know that we are there to help them.

"It’s a huge honour and I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to do it."