Galbraith were approached by SRUC to inquire if any of their clients would offer a visit to a rural estate as part of their ‘Land Use & Diversification’ module. With a variety of traditional land uses include livestock farming, arable farming & forestry as well as a number of ‘non-traditional’ land uses such as an archery course, sculpture park and natural woodland burial site, Mellerstain seemed perfect. 

Nestled within the rural landscape, the 3rd Year students discovered the origin of the natural woodland burial site. Hundy Mundy Woodland Burial Site was set up in 2005 by the Late 13th Earl of Haddington, John Baillie-Hamilton, offering eco-friendly burials in natural surroundings. People who choose to purchase a plot within the woodland, can choose their exact location looking north towards Mellerstain House or south towards the Cheviot Hills. Whilst visiting, students also spotted our lawn mowers (the estates’ sheep flock) which continue to graze the grass areas of the woodland to preserve the landscape naturally.

The afternoon included a chance to have a glimpse of the ‘Borders Sculpture Park’. The Park is where exciting British artists showcase their contemporary open-air sculptures to visitors within the grounds of Mellerstain House. From its very beginnings, Mellerstain has been steeped in art and architecture with the young George Baillie being a visionary of his time when he commissioned Robert Adam to design the house that we know today. The family continue to champion their love of the arts by introducing Mellerstain as the home of the Borders Sculpture Park. The Park has been running since 2016 and visitors have been impressed year-on-year by the diversity of installations.  

Scott Murray, Lecturer & Programme Leader of Rural Business Management at SRUC Edinburgh Campus commented:

Many thanks to Galbraith for organising such an interesting and informative visit for us yesterday.  All the information was very relevant to the coursework that has been set and you and your colleagues also covered other topics that feed into the wider course. 

Galbraith are delighted to support students studying at SRUC where a number of our current and past employees have graduated from. 

To find out more about Mellerstain Estate and all it has to offer, please visit: https://www.mellerstain.com/.

Galbraith Graduate Programme

Applications are now open for Galbraith’s comprehensive graduate training scheme which includes many benefits and results in our graduates consistently high pass rate. With 9 Graduates joining us in our 2019 programme alone, we have a superb graduate community which you will become part of, enabling you to share your learning among your peers.

If you would like to apply for the Galbraith Rural Graduate Recruitment scheme, please send your CV and covering letter to ruralgraduatejobs@galbraithgroup.com. 

Applications close 16th December 2019. 

Interviews will be held week commencing 13th January 2020.

Galbraith Work Experience 

Galbraith offer an annual work experience programme, placements within the rural team take place during the summer months. The placement will typically last four weeks and will give Students the opportunity for site visits, to attend client meetings, write reports and conduct research. You will be invited to attend departmental meetings and training days to meet and network with our wider team.

Applications for our 2020 Work Experience Programme will open in January 2020.