BGS Summer Meeting 2026

This year the BGS Summer Meeting will take place as a single day event on Tuesday 7th July 2026. The event will be hosted jointly by the East of Scotland and South West Scotland Grassland Societies. The decision to move to a one-day event has been taken with agreement of the BGS Council after careful consideration of the significant rising costs in relation to the accommodation, transport and catering provision of running the summer meetings along with the continued growing preference of delegates to attend on a day rate basis rather than a full accommodated tour. The aim is to provide a highly focused day visiting two excellent grass-based production systems.

The day will include visits to two farms. The morning visit will be held at Poldean Farm, Moffat, Dumfriesshire hosted by Alisdair and Emma Davidson. The farm extends to approximately 850 hectares across both hill and improved pasture. The farm operates grass-focused, sustainable beef and sheep enterprises that balance productivity with efficient grazing, selective breeding, and careful timing of animal production to align with pasture growth.

The afternoon visit will be hosted by Dalswinton Farming Partners at Bankhead Farm on the Dalswinton Estate near Dumfries.  During 2024 the Dalswinton Estate transitioned its farming operations at Bankhead Farm from a focus on beef and Arable to enter into a joint venture project with Farming Partners who specialise in establishing and managing spring-block dairy systems. By entering into this partnership, the estate owner, Peter Landale, intends to modernise the farming business, provide opportunities for new entrants to the industry and also open up the estate to biodiversity and natural capital.

Please note: Transport will not be provided, delegates will need to use their own vehicles to move between the morning and afternoon visits.

The event is open to all.

To secure lunch, full BGS members and local society members in Scotland have access to a special discounted ticket rate.

• Full BGS Members & Members of the North of Scotland, East of Scotland and South West Scotland Grassland Societies (including retired members) - £12.00 Incl VAT
• Non-members - £24.00 Incl VAT
• Students - £6.00 Incl VAT (Please bring proof to the event, this will be checked during registration)

Itinerary and farm location

Farm 1 - Poldean Farm, Moffat, DG10 9LY 
9.30am arrival
10am start of visit
12.15pm lunch
1.15pm dept for Dalswinton Estate (19 miles, travel time 30 minutes)

Farm 2 – Dalswinton Estate, Bankhead Farm DG2 0XT
Arrival 1:45pm
2pm start of visit
Close and depart 4pm

Important - Biosecurity

• Please ensure the vehicle you are attending in is clean and that there are no heavy mud and manure deposits on tyres and wheel arches.
• Clean boots that can be disinfected must be worn for the walk. All boots must be dipped in the disinfectant provided on arrival at the farms.

Please note that video and photos will be taken at this event. These images may be used for marketing and promotional purposes – both in print and online format. If you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please let the organiser know.