James Brown & Co

James Brown & Co run a typical hill farm five miles inland from Cockburnspath in Berwickshire, Scotland. The farm has been in the Brown/Morrison family for 102 years, spanning five generations.

Farm History

The Brown family, William, Emily and their three sons James, Andrew and John, moved from Crianlarich to Middle Monynut farm in 1913. They made a life on the farm that was a part of the very large local Estate at the time. The farm specialised in sheep livestock, with additional income being sourced from selling rabbits and eggs.

Blackface Sheep

The family brought Blackface sheep with them, the first sheep of that breed in the area. The sheep became known as ‘Curlies’ for their horns and thick woolly fleece, with their pedigree extending back to 1913. The children in the area loved the 'Curlies' and would run into their houses and shout "here comes the curlies" whenever they were walked down the main street to Reston Mart.

Andrew Brown

Sadly, a year after their arrival at Middle Monynut, William passed away leaving his wife and three young sons to run the farm. The eldest, James, was only 13 at the time. In order to ensure that the family was managing the demands of the farm, the children’s’ uncle, Andrew Brown, would occasionally visit from Thornhill, Stirling. In the 1930's, when sale of rabbits no longer sufficed, the family had to supplement their income with taking in paying guests.

The 40's, 50's & 60's

During the World War II, a Beaufighter and Hurricane crashed into the farms' hillside. Unfortunately, there were no survivors. The Brown family were proud to play their part in supporting the war effort with their food production. In addition, two oldest sons, Andrew and James were a part of the local Home Guard. In the late 1950's, the Brown’s were finally given the chance to buy their previously rented farm. In 1957 Emily Brown married Thomas Morrison and they went on to have a son, David and a daughter, Susan two years later.

From 70's to date

David married Judy in 1978 and they had two sons of their own. While Fraser has moved away to pursue a career in the building industry, Craig tends the farm alongside his father. Craig recently started his family, and his firstborn was named Nathan Thomas Morrison. The family still runs the farm and, between the Blackface and Scotch Mule sheep, they have around 1500 sheep in total.

Wind Farm

Community Wind Power are in the process of constructing a wind farm consented on the 1st March 2013. Once completed, this wind farm will consist of 19 large turbines, of which 14 on the Monynut ground. Although this has been a lengthy process from approval to construction, the family believe it will be beneficial in the long run. The income from the wind farm will enable the family to further invest in and develop the farm and invest in the future of the livestock.

Days Gone By

James Brown & Co run a typical hill farm five miles inland from Cockburnspath in Berwickshire, Scotland. The farm has been in the Brown/Morrison family for 101 years, spanning five generations.