IT HAS been confirmed that the 71-year-old man who died after an accident on Barnbarroch Farm, Dalbeattie, was Derek Roan.

Emergency services were called out to Barnbarroch on Sunday, and Mr Roan was taken to hospital, where he subsequently died of his injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive is aware of the incident and will be making inquiries into the circumstances surrounding it. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a report had been submitted to the procurator fiscal.

In a statement on social media, the Roan family - well-known to the public after their appearance on television's 'This Farming Life' - said: "It is with deepest sadness to announce the tragic death of Derek Roan at Barnbarroch Farm, beloved husband to Kathleen, devoted father to Stuart, Steven, Leeanne, father inlaw to Aylett, Tracey and Tony and proud Papa to Fergus, Fraser, Andrew, Lucy, Daisy and Skye.

"We are totally devastated and still in shock to what has happened and it will take some time for us to come to terms of not having him around.

"All Derek's hard work was for his two passions in life - his family and his farms.

"Derek was well known within the farming community and many other circles. He will be sadly missed by all."


The Roan family run two dairy farms and a milk delivery business.

Reacting to the sad news, NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the whole Roan family at this horrid time. Words are never enough in these dreadful circumstances but, in Derek, NFU Scotland has lost a real stalwart. 

"He was a member who, for many years, went above and beyond to represent farming at a local, regional, and national level. He was an excellent past chair of both Stewartry branch and Dumfries and Galloway Region and always ensured that all those round the table took part in any discussion and had their say. He was also a skilled debater who could eloquently share his views and insights, whether locally or at national events like our AGM."

Current Dumfries and Galloway regional chair Colin Ferguson added: “The loss of Derek has sent shock waves through the region and beyond. He has been at the helm of a farming business that is steeped in dairying but has also embraced change and diversification, developing into an award-winning family business, Roan’s Dairy, that is recognised across the country. 

"However, Derek always found time for NFU Scotland, supporting and representing fellow farmers and their views over many years, making his sad loss all the more tragic for the region. He will be sadly missed, and we send our best thoughts to the Roan family.”