An experienced Strathspey farmer has been appointed as the new Agricultural Adviser for the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Malcolm Smith has run his family farm at Auchernack, near Nethy Bridge, for more than 30 years, alongside his wife and sons.

Malcolm is a previous winner of the Cairngorms Nature Farm Award for conservation work on his farm, particularly around one of the Cairngorms’ rarest species, the dark bordered beauty moth. Auchernack is also part of the Scottish monitor farm network, hosting visits from farmers and experts to share learning.

Malcolm will take up the new post in February, acting as the first point of contact between the Park Authority and the farming and crofting community. Malcolm will deliver a programme of projects to support sustainable farm businesses in producing high quality food, increasing biodiversity, and mitigating and adapting to the climate emergency.

He will play a key role in liaising with the Cairngorms Agricultural Advisory Group (CAAG), set up earlier this year.

Malcolm said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Cairngorms National Park Authority and looking forward to building relationships with farmers, crofters and land managers across the National Park.

“Agriculture is such an integral part of the Cairngorms and having farmed here for decades, I’m keen to work closely with farmers to help them address the key issues we face and promote the positive impact of sustainable agriculture and its role in tackling climate change.”

Image credit: Neil G Paterson Photography