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Why live in Dubai when you can farm deer in Scotland

The Country Smallholder

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March 2025

Michael Wale finds out the attractions

Why live in Dubai when you can farm deer in Scotland

Going from the daily guaranteed warmth of Dubai to the shivering cold of a Scottish winter would not be a travel agent's first offer and advice. But that was the choice of a successful Indian business couple when they decided on a total life change to become farmers.

Suryaveer and Bonita Rathore had no experience of farming, but they are a determined couple, which brought them the success that made it affordable to change course in mid-life. Bonita reflects." We wanted a life that was linked closer to nature, more real. Dubai is a wonderful place, it is warm all the time, it is beautiful. You can get anything you want, as soon as you have wished it, then it is delivered to your home. But here in Scotland we have to do every thing by ourselves. We need to work with nature, be patient and be part of the seasons".

In fact those remarks are a rarity, because they were made by one of the couple, when usually they are prone to speak together, remaining as excited as ever about the different life they chose.

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