[Grassmonster]

I moved to rural N/E Scotland 4 years ago from Yorkshire and think it was the best thing that I ever did. Just discovered this group and Accidental Smallholder sums me up !  I have two horses, 10 goats (two entire bucks, three wethers and five does), two pigs and a small flock of geese. There's also the usual array of domestic pets.  I don't have my own ground but have the horses on a local livery yard and I rent sheddage and grazing for the rest. Between employed work and the animals, it doesn't leave much time for a social life (and let's face it, how many men find the clinging smell of rutting billy goat attractive - and boy, does it cling )
I've had a quick look through some of the posts and found myself laughing and thinking "Yep, and me .... I've got that problem too ...."  It's so nice to know that it's not just me 

[doganjo]

Welcome, Grassmonster!  That name sounds terrifying!

I'm ex-Aberdeenshire, used to live in a wee place called Bonnyton, near Old Rayne - that's between Inverurie and Huntly.  In fact I'm going there tomorrow with my son to collect my dog runs that weren't taken down in time for the removal van to take down.  i'm in Central Scotland - nearer my kids and grandkids.
What part of Aberdeenshire are you in?  I used to live over by Ellon.

[CameronS]

Hello and welcom from Fife,
What an interesting array of animals you have, would love geese but the Parents say that Goats + Llama  are enough smelly creatures

[HappyHippy]

Hello and welcome from another ex-Aberdonian 
I moved back home to Lanark after my first kid arrived (of the human variety  )
Looking forward to hearing more about you and your animals in due course (and seeing photos too) 
Karen

[MiriMaran]

Welcome from Derbyshire from an ex-Aberdonian.  My Mum's still there near Dinnet - we go up every year and as much as I love Derbyshire I would love to be back in Aberdeenshire.

[sandy]

Hello from clackmannan!! Welcome, yet to visit Aberdeen!!

[Roxy]

Hello from Derbyshire!!

I know the smell of entire billy goat very well.  We have two entires, and sometimes the smell nearly makes me retch (and I am supposed to be used to it!)  In fact, I think I must be mad to keep them!!

[Hilarysmum]

Hi welcome from Brittany.  Dont have goats ourselves but often meet new people who are looking for theirs ....

[Rosemary]

Hi and welcome from windy Alloa!

[little blue]

hello from Derbyshire (born and bred) from a girls only goat owner!

[Grassmonster]

doganjo, the name comes from my big horse, Toby, who I lost 6 months ago    He was an 18.2 Irish draft built like a shire and one day, I was walking behind a couple of teenage girls who were discussing taking a short cut through the field where my horse was kept. One of them was saying to the other, "I'm not going through there, have you seen the grassmonster ?"  He was anything but scary - biggest (in all ways) softy ever !

As for what part of Aberdeenshire, Drumblade, just outside of Huntly. Would I go back down the road ?  Not if hell froze over 

CameronS - geese are a must - so intelligent and interesting.

Roxy - I'm in the dodgy position of not noticing the smell any more but everyone else does   It helps you to get a check-out to yourself at the supermarket   
My bathroom has a selection of highly scented smellies to beat Superdrug in an effort to be socially acceptable    One of my neighbours called round a few days ago and as I opened the door, he said, "Billy goat !" - my yard jacket was hanging in the hall 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone !

[sandy]

  ;DNever smelt a Billy goat!!!

[marigold]

Hi and welcome
I've never smelt billy goat either, not keen either from the sound of it.

[doganjo]

I have.  They ARE smelly! 

As for what part of Aberdeenshire, Drumblade, just outside of Huntly.

Only a few miles up the road from where I was then.  Wish I could have taken my croft with me.  Not nearly enough land down here.

[bamford6]

welcome from aviemore just over the mountains