Still very much at the "idea" stage, the project is to be discussed by farming bodies throughout the North-East, to see if a pilot demonstration scheme can be worked out.
The hope is that the provision of such units – suitable for rearing calves and store cattle – might help overcome the difficulty some young people find in achieving the "first rung" on the farming ladder.

50 YEARS AGO
Friday July 18 1958

THE action of the Regional Hospital Board in closing Arduthie Hospital, Stonehaven, was criticised at a meeting of Kincardine County Council.
The hospital, used for T.B. and infectious diseases cases, has been closed on grounds of economy as the small number of such cases in the area does not justify its being kept open.
The Board had asked the county council for its views on the hospital ceasing to be used for infectious diseases. Their letter made it clear the future use of the hospital has yet to be considered.
Bailie Greig, Stonehaven, who considered the Board's method high-handed, said that there was always an outcry for maternity beds.
Quite a number of Kincardine cases were sent to Aberdeen, but if a wing of Arduthie was used it would be a boon to the county.
Mr John Slevin, county clerk, said alterations would have to be done at the hospital before it was fit for maternity cases, assuming there was a need in Stonehaven.
"There is no question of the hospital closing permanently," he said.

100 YEARS AGO
Thursday July 16 1908

THE Town Band will make their first appearance this season at the Beach on Friday evening at 7.30pm.
Local readers know that some time ago the band practically collapsed through the retirement of the older members.
The band committee saw that the only thing to do was to fill up the vacancies with school lads and for twelve months past Mr Milne, the conductor, has been training the lads, who are this week to give a demonstration of their powers.
* * *
BABY Lions Born at Stonehaven - Bostock and Wombell's menagerie is at present touring Scotland, and the interesting announcement is made at Stonehaven that on Sunday when the menagerie was resting on its way from Banchory to Laurencekirk the lioness Victoria gave birth to five male cubs, which is an exceptionally large litter.
The fact that all the cubs are males is unparalleled, this being the first occasion on record where a lioness has had male cubs to the number of five at one birth.