MOVING home to Caerlaverock to take over the family farm following the retirement of his father, was something Peter Eccles had been preparing for his whole career.
However, he wasn’t quite expecting how challenging a move it would be.
Back in 2020, Peter, a former back row forward for Heriot’s and then Melrose, who also achieved club international honours, was named as the winner of the prestigious Farmers Weekly Farm Manager of the Year Award, for his work at Saughland Farm, Midlothian. He also took the overall title of Farmer of the Year.
“People would mostly talk to me about rugby and farming,” said the 40-year-old.
“Following the end of my rugby playing days and my decision to leave my role as a farm manager I went through a tough time where I struggled mentally to find my new purpose.
“I was at a stage in my life where I felt it was important to pursue my dreams and build something for myself. Farming is my passion, but I’ve chosen to diversify and create an additional revenue stream to the farm’s income which can be so volatile.”
The transition from farmer manager to personal trainer and starting his own business has been challenging.
But he knows successful diversification is key to safeguarding the future of the 250 acre farm, where they grow cereals on a contract farming agreement and have a herd of pedigree Hereford cattle and a few crossbred sheep.
Peter, above, said: “I had been looking at the farm’s assets, what it already had, and kept coming back to the idea of repurposing the older buildings.”
Joining a gym gave him the inspiration for what to do with the space, as well as boosting his mood and energy levels.
Peter said: “I wanted to help others start their fitness journey and begin building a community of people who enjoy coming to the farm for regular workouts with a twist.”
Fitness Farmyard opened last autumn and operates morning and evening classes.
“Whilst juggling the gym alongside both farm work and family can be stressful at times, it’s exciting and the gym has huge potential for growth. We are exploring ways to enable parents to exercise alongside their children. They also get to visit the farm too and learn a bit more about where food actually comes from,” said the proud founder.
“Under the prefix Rockness, I sell breeding bulls and heifers from the herd, but we also have some of our own grass finished beef and lamb processed too, which is for family and our growing fitness community’s consumption only!”
He believes his challenges will resonate among the local farming community and he said: “Moving away from playing competitive sport or being unable to farm the way they used is something a lot of people can find tough. Often it is the thing they love most and have done since they were a child.
“My original way of coping was just to retract, stop going to things to avoid speaking about it, but I found myself feeling increasingly lost and without an identity.
“I think farmers put a lot of pressure on themselves in keeping up appearances, and I am no exception.
“I got back on track by learning more about myself and re-evaluating my priorities, such as my family and the importance of managing my mental health and physical fitness.
“A big part of my farming ethos is trying to be as efficient as possible.
“Any time spent doing something which contributes to supporting better mental and physical wellbeing is time well spent.”
He also credits Farmstrong for their support and advises others to check it their website at www.farmstrongscotland.org.uk
