Heading for the hills: City girl who became a proud farmer ...

Talking to Cora Cooper, the latest person to be interviewed for Farmstrong’s podcast Blether Together, is the gift that keeps giving.

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Host Sarah Stephen, who has all the gravitas gained from her television work for programmes such as Landward but also the practical knowledge of being married to a farmer, talks Cora through her journey from Glasgow girl to life on a 2,044-hectare hill farm at Muirkirk in Ayr.

Cora, who openly admits she had never so much as stepped foot on a farm until she met her husband David, studied law at Glasgow University.

Their romance blossomed, like so many doubtless have over the years, after a chance meeting at the Royal Highland Show.

“At the time, I was doing some PR for Land Rover and was on their stand at the show,” recalls Cora. “I had never been to an agricultural show before and I can remember David walking past and then turning around and coming back to have a chat.”

That was back in 2012 and within a couple of months the two of them were living together, then married in 2014 and with the first of their three children arriving in 2015.

“It was something of a whirlwind,” laughs Cora. “I do believe in soulmates, and we had an instant connection. It’s frightening to think that if I hadn’t taken that job at the Royal Highland and David hadn’t decided to turn back on himself, we would never have met.”

But meet they did, and Cora talks on Blether Together about a wide range of subjects from their farming system of 3,600 hill ewes to her love of high heels and the fact that is possible to become first generation landowners in your own right.

“I didn’t expect to talk so openly when we were recording the podcast. I hope that in talking about my story others can believe more in themselves. It’s possible to chart your own path in life without losing your identity or principles.

Coming from a city background I truly value the community and support that comes with rural life. I have experienced real kindness from the local community, in particular a retired farming couple.”

MAKING THE FARM WORK