Olympic hopeful swaps curling for full-time shepherding

A national athlete gave up her Olympic ambitions to return to farming in rural Kinross, trading ice rinks for lambing sheds in pursuit of a career rooted in agriculture and livestock.

Beth Farmer, now 25, has found new purpose and wellbeing as a shepherd and a dedicated leader in the rural youth community.

Her decision came in 2022, when she was called up to represent Scotland at the World Women’s Curling Championships in Canada.

At the time, she was lambing on her family’s farm.

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“Of course, it was a really exciting time,” Beth recalls.

“I used to go to the local rink with my cousins as I was growing up and then started competing and getting picked for extra coaching.”

Introduced to curling through family, Beth’s natural ability and determination saw her rise through the ranks.

© Jane Craigie

With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, her future in the sport looked certain.

But the reality of balancing elite training with her farming commitments became increasingly difficult.

“I think the general public probably has no idea of the kind of pressure athletes at that level are under,” she says.

“It’s hard for everyone, but working within farming it was so difficult to keep other job options going alongside.

“Coaches kept encouraging us to keep up with careers remotely, jumping on a laptop between training sessions, but you can’t really do that when you are a shepherd!”

Livestock care

Training five days a week during the day conflicted with the demands of livestock care.

As Beth puts it: “Farming is a job that you are either all in, or all out. You can’t just be dipping your toe in when there is livestock involved.”

Although walking away from curling was not an easy decision, it ultimately brought relief. “It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,” she says.

“I still keep up with friends that curl at elite level, but leaving that world behind has opened up all sorts of new opportunities and I am so much happier.”

© Jane Craigie

Young Farmers

Since making the change, Beth has immersed herself in the Young Farmers movement.

She became chairwoman of Kinross Junior Agricultural Club and finished as runner-up in the 2024 Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) Young Farmer of the Year competition.

Her club has chosen Farmstrong Scotland as its charity for the year, with a focus on promoting mental, physical and social wellbeing within the rural community.

This aligns closely with Beth’s personal journey and the values she now champions.

“Rather than the girl who curls, I now want to be known for just being me and it’s been exciting to figure out who that is,” she says.

“Stepping up in Young Farmers has been a big help in making that transition and I have been determined to take every opportunity that presents itself.”

After years of shepherding and helping on the family farm, Beth recently made a switch to full-time employment looking after 950 mule ewes.

Future plans

Looking ahead, Beth is one of the successful applicants selected for the SAYFC 2025 Agri & Rural Affairs Study Tour, which will take her to Texas in November for two weeks of learning and exchange.

Ambitious about her future, she says: “I just want to take every opportunity that comes my way and keep learning, maybe making it to head shepherd one day.

“Of course, I would love my own farm, but I’ve learned from curling that you can spend all your time fixed on the future and forget to enjoy the here and now.”

Moving into a house on the farm has given her even more responsibility and a stronger sense of purpose. “Because I’m here all the time, I can take on more, which is really fulfilling,” she says.

“If anyone is ever in doubt about doing something, then get stuck in because you will never know where it will take you.”

When asked why returning to farming was so important, her answer is simple:

“It was going back to my happy place. It was always really nice to get away from the ice rink. I am happy and content now; it’s a lovely environment, and I can challenge myself.”

© Jane Craigie