Welcome to the Forum, Gary of the Croft! You're only 20 miles away!
Strange thing is in Aberdeenshire we had 21 acres to start off but never ran it as a croft - scaredey cats I guess, both working long hours and long travelling. John grew veg and fruit when he retired early, but I'm useless at growing stuff, and everything just gets eaten by bugs or dies off. When OH died I moved to a smaller place - 10 acres - and had ducks and chickens, was still working so never got round to anything else. Maybe just lazy. Now down to one acre almost all in garden, retired, have ducks and chickens again, and trying to grow things again. Doubt if I'll get any other animals as I have dogs too and they take up a lot of time.
Have you joind the local Smallholders assoc? First meet is 8th I think.
Annie