Welcome to Scotchwood Farm
Hello, my name is Michelle, and together with my husband Rob and our family, I’d like to share the story of how we came to call Scotchwood Farm home.
Like many families, we spent years caught up in the fast pace of suburban life, but we always felt drawn to something slower and more meaningful — a life where we could reconnect with nature, grow our own food, and raise animals with care and purpose. What began as a simple dream of living closer to the land gradually grew into something much bigger.
Scotchwood Farm is the result of that dream taking shape. It is not just a property, but a place where our family is learning, building, and growing together. Here we practice regenerative farming, working with the land to improve soil health, encourage biodiversity, and create a sustainable environment for both our animals and the surrounding ecosystem.
Today our farm is home to Highland cattle, miniature goats, and heritage breed chickens. Each animal plays a role in the rhythm of the farm, and caring for them has become a central part of our daily life. What started as a search for a different lifestyle has become a journey of stewardship — one where we are constantly learning how to better care for the land and the animals entrusted to us.
After months of searching for our forever home, we finally found it — a beautiful 205-acre property in the small rural town of Benjinup. It offered the space and opportunity to build the life we had always imagined.
The beginning of the
Scotchwood Highland cattle
ALONG CAME MARY
Rob and I attended the 2023 Perth Royal Show and made our way through the livestock exhibits until we ended up in cattle alley. Seeing the Highland cattle brought back memories of our recent trip to Scotland, and I was immediately drawn to them.
That was when I met Mary, a small red Highland calf. While I was patting her, the breeder mentioned she was for sale. Before I could respond, Rob stepped in and said, “Let’s get her.”
And just like that, Mary was coming home with us.
Today, our fold is expanding rapidly. We source genetics from Scotland, US, and Australia with the goal of continually producing stronger, healthier, and better-quality Highlands with each birth.
We show our Highlands several times a year and have participated in the WA Highland Cattle Show held at the Harvey Show since its inception in 2025.
When Mary arrived, along with her Highland x Dexter companion Ebony, I quickly realised how much they had grown. The small calf I remembered was now a young cow with developing horns. Like many people new to the breed, I had underestimated them — Highlands may look like giant teddy bears, but they are still cattle and can become a serious liability without the right handling and experience.
My first attempt to enter the paddock and feed them ended in chaos when an excited Mary accidentally caught me in the side with her horns. It was a wake-up call. I realised that if I wanted to safely keep and work with cattle, I needed proper training.
While searching for guidance, I came across Bree’s Bovine Behaviour, which focuses on understanding cattle behaviour and building trust through calm, clear communication. After speaking with Bree, I flew to Melbourne to attend one of her cattle handling workshops. There I learned the foundations of safe cattle handling, gained hands-on experience, and connected with experienced Highland breeders. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to move forward and confirmed that this was the direction I wanted to take. Bree has been a friend and mentor ever since and now regulary holds her workshops in WA.
