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The charity is offering payments of up to £1,000 per any farming family business impacted by the snow.
A £100,000 fund has been launched for farming and crofting families severely hit by the ongoing impact of heavy snowfall.
The Scottish agricultural charity RSABI is offering up to £1,000 per family farming business experiencing a loss due to the ongoing extreme wintry conditions.
Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, said the charity is aware of many farmers who have sustained damage, particularly to farm buildings.
Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI | RSABI“The start of 2026 has been a very trying time for farming families in the worst-hit parts of Scotland as they battle to feed and look after livestock in very challenging conditions, as well as defrosting water troughs and pipes in plummeting temperatures,” she said.
“Remarkably they have managed to do all this and also make a truly outstanding contribution to communities around the country, keeping roads open and assisting vulnerable people in rural areas. There are numerous examples of exemplary support and kindness being provided without hesitation.
“Behind the scenes, however, the exceptional snowfall is also taking a significant toll in terms of damage and other impact and we have had worrying reports of collapsed roofs, and stores of feed and grain being affected too.
“There will almost certainly be flooding damage on the horizon too, on the back of the thaw when it eventually comes, creating a fresh range of challenges for farming families around the country at a time of year when they are starting to prepare for the main lambing and calving season.”
The north and north east of Scotland have been particularly impacted by heavy snowfall over the last week. | Getty ImagesMs McLaren said RSABI had also been very touched by offers of donations from the public and also from farmers in less affected parts of Scotland and, in response to this, the charity has also set up a Snow Impact Appeal.
The fund comes amid calls from Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle for a “thank you payment” to farmers from the Scottish Government for their “heroic” recovery work during a week of severe snow.
In a letter sent to agriculture minister Jim Fairlie, Mr Eagle claims a proportion of an £8 million underspend in the government’s agricultural payments scheme should be used to acknowledge the voluntary work of farmers during the snowstorms.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said many local authorities have contracts with local farmers in periods of severe weather and any retrospective reimbursement to farmers would be a decision for local authorities.