Meet the Consultant - Ellie Newlands
I’m Ellie and I have recently joined SAC Consulting as a Consultant, working in the Inverness office. I grew up on my family’s upland beef and sheep farm, Cluny, just outside Forres, in Morayshire. Cluny was part of the Monitor Farm programme in years 2010 – 2013 and again was involved as part of the Monitor Farm Legacy initiative. We run a herd of 180 spring calving Simmental and Saler cross cows which are outwintered on fodder beat and 700 mule ewes, with all offspring finished on the farm. We grow enough spring barley for our own feeding.
While growing up, I spent many holidays helping out with lambing, calving and other work throughout the year. Throughout school and university, I was always an active member in the local Young Farmers club, from joining at 14. I am still a member today. I was lucky enough to hold a few positions within the committee from lady’s convener to latterly as treasurer. As part of the club, I’ve always taken part in various competitions and awareness campaigns including the bale art, overwintering competition and the ‘Keep Talking’ and ’Are Ewe Ok’ movements. Being part of the club has given me several rewarding opportunities; one highlight being representing Lower Speyside Young Farmers in a royal visit from the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Throughout school I always was keen on becoming a vet, which lead to me spending a few weeks at the local surgery and going out to local farms. Towards the end of school however, I hadn’t yet decided on what I wanted to do. After exploring a few different paths, I eventually chose to study accounting and finance at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. During the five years completing my degree I spent four based in Aberdeen and one studying from home during the covid pandemic, then finally graduating with a BA (hons) in Accounting and Finance in 2022. During my university summers, I took on a variety of seasonal jobs across the industry, from rouging tatties and picking berries to assisting in maltings during harvest and working in farm shops.
After graduating, I began working with Johnston Carmichael Accountants in Inverness, which gave me the opportunity to move back home. I worked there for around two and a half years mainly completing accounts and VAT returns as part of the business advisory team before deciding it was time for a change. I spent three and a half months travelling solo across Australia and New Zealand, a once in a lifetime experience which I’ll always remember. In Australia, I first began in Sydney and gradually made me way up to east coastline reaching Cairns before heading across the country to Perth. In New Zealand I was lucky enough to visit both the north and south Islands, experiencing everything they had to offer. The highlight of my time there was staying with farming families, which allowed me to see different agricultural practices in ways that reflected their land, and tradition.
When I returned home, I didn’t have a set plan but knew I wanted to move into a role more closely linked to agriculture. A good friend, now also a colleague, encouraged me to apply for a position with SAC Consulting. Since starting in April, it’s been busy and varied in the best way - with lots to learn and plenty of variety in the work I have been involved in, which I am really loving. I’m delighted to have joined the Inverness team, and I am excited to see what the next few years will bring.
Ellie Newlands, Consultant, Ellie.Newlands@sac.co.uk
Unearthed is the exclusive SAC Consulting members' monthly newsletter. Unearthed offers insights and tips from our experts on what we think is in store for farming and crofting in the coming months in order to protect and enhance your business.
Posted by Unearthed News on 15/09/2025
