Women With Insight: Meet Champion Sheepdog Trainer Julie Hill

What better way to experience the true essence of Scotland, than by meeting a Champion sheepdog trainer who works its breathtaking landscapes every day? The first and only woman to have won the Supreme International Sheepdog Championships, Julie Hill trains Border Collies using her own pioneering natural methods. Single-handedly, she tends to 1000 sheep that graze over 600 acres, with the help of her canine partners.

One of the fascinating women you will meet on Scenic Scotland – a Women Only Tour, Julie is one the most successful trainers in the history of international sheepdog trials and we caught up with her to find out more about this intriguing Edinburgh dinner.

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“For the last 40 years I’ve been working with dogs and shepherding sheep,” says Julie. “I’ve worked in many different parts of Scotland, including some of the remotest spots where I worked 10,000 acres with 1000 sheep. That’s what has given me the knowledge that I have today and has taken me.”

In addition to her role as shepherd, Julie travels the world teaching her training method ‘The Natural Way.’ ​Through understanding and utilizing the language of the dog as a pack animal, she is able to communicate with the dogs through body language.

So Julie, you’ve pioneered a way of working with a dog’s instincts, tell us more about that

“Over 40 years of study, I’ve worked with many different packs of dogs. And on my journey of discovery, I learned that as a sheepdog trainer I wanted to have a better relationship with my dog and a connection, so that we’re working together as a team, rather than being a boss with a dog just doing what it is told.

“If you’re going to work on this kind of terrain, where the sheep are often out of sight away from the handler, then you’re going to need to have a dog use his own instinct. So, I’ve pioneered a method called ‘The Natural Way’, using the dog’s own instincts to communicate with it.

“I learned by watching my pet to see how to use their language. I then teach the dog through body language and gestures what is acceptable when they manage sheep. I work with their predator/prey instincts, making them be aware that we must respect the sheep in order to manage them effectively. The welfare of the sheep is a high priority.”

Is shepherding historically a men’s role?

“Mostly it is. When I first started, there were just a few women helping out, but not really shepherds, and not to the level that me and a few others took on back then in the 80s. I think women make good shepherds. We’ve got a lot of empathy, so you can feel, especially at lambing time. Innately we’re careers, nurturers, and so lambing time is a big role. It’s an instinctive thing.”

What has been your biggest career highlight?

“I’ve travelled to many parts of the world as a sheepdog trainer to teach people the natural way. Its’ amazing to be able to share my passion. The highlights in competition have also been great. I went to the highest level with the dogs – I’m the first woman ever to win the Supreme International Sheepdog Trial, (both in the single competition and the brace (pair) competition) and I did it using the method that I pioneered. I wanted to prove that it could work this way, and not just the old fashioned and traditional ways. The dogs have been my teachers – you have to have that really special dog to get to that level, so I’ve been very fortunate.”

What can guests look forward to experiencing?

“When I join Insight guests for dinner in Edinburgh, I tell them all about the 600-acre Carcant Estate farm in the Scottish Borders where I have been the tenant farmer for 19 years, and my work which is a diversification of the farm.

“Then I’ll go into detail about how, as a sheepdog trainer, I communicate with the dogs using body language. I’ll talk through the different stages of their training, right through to the fully trained dog, where they fetch sheep on their own, and turn back for other groups on instinct for example. I’ll explain how and how the dog is using its brain to help you as a shepherd.”

What is the guest’s reaction when they see what you’re doing?

“They often can’t believe that the dogs are capable of what they can achieve. A lot of people think it’s all about commands, but most of the time I’m teaching them how to use their brain and instincts. So often people are quite astonished by a lot of the things they wouldn’t expect the dog to be able to do.

“It’s all about the welfare of the sheep and efficiency to be able to get your job done. So, I talk people through what I need from the dogs to support my role as a shepherd, linking the two together so they can see how amazing these dogs are and how they can save time and help me.”

How does travel make you feel?

“I love to travel. As a sheepdog trainer the dogs have made my life very rich. A lot of people asked me to go abroad and train with their dogs, and I get to step into their lives. Once I went to judge and teach in Brazil and they took us into the Pantanal [the largest tropical wetland spanning Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay], to spend the week seeing how the ranchers work their farms. For me the magic of travel is the amazing experiences you can find and getting a taste of different cultures.”

What advice would you give to women thinking of taking their first solo trip?

“I would advise you to try and be confident, and to be reassured that there’s many other women in the group that are probably taking their first solo trip too. You’re going to meet some amazing people and make new friendships and have so much fun. Before you know it, you’ll be joined with your fellow women travelers and then you’ll discover many different places that you would never done unless you took that first step forward and as a solo trip.”

Insight Vacations Women-Only Tours – for Women by Women

For women by women, with the first departures in 2025, we’ve introduced an inspiring collection of Women-Only Tours. Choose from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, and enjoy ‘Business Class’ Travel every step of the way. As you travel in a small group of like-minded women, you’ll meet the inspirational females at the heart of your destination, such as sheepdog trainer Julie, as well as seeing all the sights, for an unforgettable and empowering journey.