If you asked me to describe my typical week as a rural land agent and valuer I would not know where to begin.

I could be donning my business suit ready for a meeting with lawyers, or flying down to meet clients and colleagues in London. However, you're much more likely to find me where I'm happiest: wrapped up warmly and in my wellies for a morning on the farm measuring up buildings or inspecting fields full of livestock, most often in Scottish sleet and rain before heading back to my office in Dumfries to write up a set of particulars or negotiate with the next buyer.

On sunnier days, I have to pinch myself as I drive around the beautiful countryside of bonnie Galloway in the South West of Scotland. This part of the world boasts 200 miles of fabulous coastline, the largest Forestry Park in the UK and the remote Galloway Hills.

There are also miles and miles of green farmland interspersed with small holdings and equestrian properties or livestock and dairy farms, not to mention the stunning rural estates. In the countryside – this is where I am truly in my comfort zone.

Growing up, I was the youngest of three girls on the family pig farm known as Culbae, near Whauphill, just 60 miles from the Savills office where I am now based. There was never any doubt that I would work in the rural world: in fact I first heard that there was such a job as a land agent was while I was writing a primary school history project. I undertook some work experience with a local land agent before university and eventually was taken on as a graduate land surveyor in Savills Glasgow office eight years ago.

The rural sector is quite a male-dominated environment, but this is never something that has fazed me. In fact, when we come to talk to farmers about selling we often find that male/female double act works best as I do think we often have different strengths. Taking the decision to sell a farm is not always easy and taking a more gentle approach – and listening to what a client really needs and wants – is so much more effective than just telling them who we are and what we do.

I feel very lucky to have such a diverse range of clients as well as a larger national team supporting me – we all share information regarding who is buying what, not just from within Scotland but across the UK and internationally, as well. There is always a specialist to advise on the changing nature of the rural sector, with detailed knowledge on, say, Land Reform, CAP or inheritance tax. And working for a large company, with local, national and global offices, means I have the back-up of the wider team, including a highly regarded research team to provide market trends.

Further information

Contact Savills Rural or view farms and estates for sale

Contact Savills Land Valuation