Nominee Summary
Tom and May McIntyre are at the forefront of a farming revolution—where profitability, sustainability, and biodiversity restoration are not opposing forces, but complementary goals. Tom and May’s work isn’t just about change on one farm—it’s a model for what’s possible across upland Scotland. May’s rotational grazing planning and Tom’s deep analysis of soil and animal behavior exemplify the kind of hands-on, adaptive, “intellectual farming” that can inspire others. Their combination of practical knowledge, innovative thinking, and willingness to take informed risks is exactly what Scotland’s agricultural future needs. They haven’t just implemented change—they’ve shown that it can work.
The approach of your nominee
Since 2022, Tom and May have worked in partnership with the owner, Jane Bonsor, to move away from high-input, infrastructure-dependent farming toward a resilient, nature-aligned model. Their approach focuses on restoring soil health, improving biodiversity, and achieving long-term profitability. They have embraced new technology alongside valueing local knowledge about the farms fields and drains and condition. Central to their strategy is a commitment to low-impact livestock management. They replaced a traditional continental herd with native Aberdeen Angus cattle that live outdoors year-round, drastically reducing costs for straw, diesel, and machinery. May created a detailed rotational and mob grazing system that allows fields to rest for 30–45 days, building pasture resilience and extending the grazing season. They’ve embraced risk and innovation at every stage—from restructuring the farm's livestock system to developing new grazing patterns in challenging terrain. Their work has not only cut input costs but also regenerated upland ecosystems. Cattle grazing on the hills has restored biodiversity, with a dramatic increase in insect life, songbirds, and birds of prey. Even tick levels have declined, likely due to an increase in natural predators like spiders. Tom and May call it “intellectual farming”—grounded in daily observation, reflection, and a willingness to learn from nature. Their approach is practical, evidence-based, and replicable. It’s already inspiring change, proving that regenerative systems can work at scale, even in Scotland’s harsher farming climates. They are quietly reshaping what farming can be.
Overcoming Challenges
Tom and May McIntyre joined Milton of Tulliemet at a time of financial uncertainty and structural decline. The farm faced over £300,000 in repairs for aging infrastructure, and profitability had been unstable for years. Rather than opting for short-term fixes, Tom and May embraced a bold shift to regenerative farming—a move that required major structural, financial, and emotional change. One of the biggest challenges was starting from scratch with livestock. Selling off a herd built over 40 years was deeply emotional, but essential to free up capital. For two years, the farm had no cattle income, relying solely on lamb sales. During this time, Tom and May focused on restoring soil and pasture health, even though it meant living through financial strain and uncertain outcomes. Adapting regenerative techniques to the challenging terrain of Highland Perthshire was another hurdle. With land ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet above sea level, they had to modify practices to suit local conditions, including fencing repairs, water infrastructure, and managing animal movement across varied terrain. Through careful planning, risk-taking, and a deep commitment to ecological and financial resilience, Tom and May have overcome each obstacle—and in doing so, have helped return the farm to profitability while restoring the land for future generation.
The impact of innovation
The impact of Tom and May McIntyre’s innovative approach to regenerative farming has been transformational—economically, environmentally, and ecologically. Financially, their changes have helped return Milton of Tulliemet to profitability after years of marginal performance. By switching to hardy, outdoor-living Aberdeen Angus cattle and adopting rotational and mob grazing, they’ve dramatically reduced costs for machinery, diesel, straw, and labour. Shed use has been nearly eliminated, and winter feeding requirements have dropped to just two hay bales per cow—unheard of in this highland environment. They have built up a healthy herd of a comparable size to where we were before, but with drastically reduced costs, improved profits and a markedly positive impact on the environment. Environmentally, their approach has restored degraded land. Rotational grazing has rebuilt pasture resilience, improved soil structure, and extended the growing season, even under tough upland conditions. Perhaps most striking is the ecological impact. Removing overgrazing pressure from upland areas has triggered the natural regeneration of native pine forest and a surge in biodiversity. Insect populations have flourished, supporting the return of curlews, lapwings, and birds of prey. Tick levels have even declined, likely due to increases in spiders, their natural predators . Tom and May’s innovations have created a replicable, scalable model for profitable, low-input farming that works with nature—not against it. Their success proves that regenerative agriculture can thrive, even in challenging Scottish upland terrain.
