Our Story
- nicolekinloch6
- Oct 21, 2025
- 4 min read
Welcome to the Kinnie & Walton Lea Herds – A Legacy Continues
Hello and welcome to our very first blog post! We're absolutely delighted to have you here as we begin this new chapter, sharing our passion for farming, our cattle and the story of Walton Farm on Scotland's beautiful west coast.
Three Generations, One Farm
I'm Nicole Kinloch and at 23 years old, I'm proud to be the third generation of my family to farm here at Walton Farm. The journey started long before me – with my Papa Jim and his wife Annie, who moved into Walton Farm shortly after they were married in 1959. It's always been a mixed enterprise: dairy, beef, and sheep along with some arable.
Growing up, I followed in the footsteps of my dad, Jim, learning the rhythms of farm life from an early age. Some of my earliest and fondest memories from back when I was a young girl carefully squeezing between the Ayrshire cows in the byre at milking time to fill their feed troughs back when we were a herd of 30-40 cows. Those experiences shaped everything – my work ethic, my love for livestock, and my deep connection to this place and this way of life. Today I work within the marketing sector with a passion for the agricultural industry and fitting the Kinnie Herd into any spare moment.
The Kinnie Herd: A Dream Takes Root
In 2020, I took a leap and started my own venture – the Kinnie Herd. It all began with the purchase of a single Brown Swiss heifer from the renowned Kedar herd. At the time, I couldn't have imagined how much that one decision would change my life. She wasn't just a heifer – she was the foundation of a dream.
Since then, the herd has grown steadily. While the Brown Swiss will always hold a special place in my heart, I've expanded to include Holsteins and more recently, Aberdeen Angus cattle. Each breed brings its own strengths and together they represent the balance I strive for: exceptional pedigree genetics, strong maternal lines and animals that thrive in the Scottish climate.
The Walton Lea Herd: A Family Enterprise
While the Kinnie Herd is my own project, it exists within the wider farming operation here at Walton Farm – the Walton Lea herd, managed by my dad Jim and my uncle John. We work side by side, sharing knowledge, resources and a commitment to high welfare standards and responsible farming practices.
Together, the Kinnie and Walton Lea herds form a diverse and thriving livestock enterprise.
Across both herds, we manage a range of pedigree dairy cattle including Holsteins, Ayrshires, Holstein Friesians, Brown Swiss and Jerseys. Each breed has been carefully selected for quality, temperament and suitability to our system.
Cattle aren't our only focus either. We also keep several sheep breeds on the farm from Texels, Bluefaced Leicester and Scottish Mules – all contributing to the productivity and sustainability of the farm throughout the year.
Looking to the Future: Local Milk, Local Community
Farming has never been easy, but the challenges we face today – particularly around supporting British farmers – mean we need to think differently about the future. That's why we're working toward an exciting new goal: supplying our local community with fresh, locally produced milk straight from Walton Farm.
Our vision is to create a sustainable product that reconnects people with where their food comes from, while also helping to secure the future of our business and this way of life. It's about building resilience, supporting the local economy and offering something real and traceable in an increasingly disconnected food system.
We're still in the planning stages, but it's a project we're passionate about and can't wait to share more about as it develops.
What to Expect from This Blog
Launching this website and blog is our way of opening the farm gates and inviting you in – whether you're a fellow farmer, a potential buyer, or simply someone curious about life on a Scottish dairy, beef and sheep farm.
Here's what we'll be sharing:
Livestock for Sale: Updates on pedigree dairy cattle, beef calves, breeding stock, and sheep available from both the Kinnie and Walton Lea herds.
Farm News & Updates: From calving highlights to show results, new arrivals and seasonal work on the farm.
Behind the Scenes: The reality of modern farming – the challenges, the celebrations, and the everyday moments that make up life at Walton Farm.
Breeding & Genetics: Showcasing the standout cows, youngstock and sires in our breeding programmes and what makes them special.
We want to give people an honest, transparent view of what farming really looks like – the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Thank You for Being Here
Starting the Kinnie Herd has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I'm incredibly grateful to be building on the legacy my Papa Jim and Granny Annie started, and that my dad and uncle have carried forward with such dedication.
This is just the beginning. We've got so much to share – new calves, cattle sales, farm updates, and some exciting developments on the horizon.
Thank you for taking the time to visit. If you'd like to learn more about our livestock, have any questions, or just want to get in touch, please reach out via the website or follow us on social media.
Here's to the next chapter at Walton Farm.
Nicole Kinloch
Kinnie Herd
Walton Farm, West Coast of Scotland
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