Background Good stewardship of antibiotics can reduce the development and impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); therefore, understanding farmers’ antibiotic use is of interest to stakeholders. To date, few qualitative studies have looked at farmers’ antibiotic use on dairy farms in the UK. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were used to explore 15 Scottish dairy farmers’ antibiotic use behaviours and the factors influencing their antibiotic use on farms. Results Using an inductive process, the results from the interviews were analysed, and four key themes were extracted: use of antibiotics, awareness of AMR, determinants of antibiotic use and future aspirations. Limitations Some of the farmers interviewed were wary about discussing their antibiotic use, which could mean that some contentious issues were not discussed. The farmers also all belonged to a single milk‐buying group, which may limit the generalisability of the findings. Conclusions The quantities of antibiotics used were felt to be driven by the disease prevalence on farms, cows being indoors more, increasing herd sizes resulting in increased stocking densities, retention of poorer cows and substandard housing. Farmer knowledge of antibiotics varied, and not all farmers interviewed were aware of AMR. The farm veterinarian, the press and peers were found to be the main sources of antibiotic information.

Over the past two decades, the relative socio-economic importance of land-based sectors has declined in comparison to non-land-based businesses such as tourism, food and beverage activities. However, policy implementation and research have primarily focused on the economic contributions of land-based businesses, leaving businesses outside these sectors and in rural areas, referred to as non-land-based businesses, largely overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to examine the importance of non-land-based businesses and the key determinants of the relationships between non-land-based businesses and land-based (farming, forestry and landed estate) sectors in rural Scotland. Through a survey of 1500 businesses whose primary focus is not agriculture, forestry or landed rural estates in four Scottish regions, the key findings of the logit model reveal that businesses located in rural areas are more likely to have relationships, both direct (supplying or purchasing goods/services) and indirect, with farming, forestry and landed estate sectors than their urban counterparts. Focusing on rural businesses, the results show that business size, sectors, business age, exporting, importing and business constraints related to cash flow, digital connectivity and government financial support significantly influence their relationships with land-based sectors. The results of crosstab analysis also reveal differences in business performance, business challenges related to Brexit and future plans between non-land-based rural businesses having relationships with land-based sectors in different rural classifications: accessible/remote small towns, accessible rural areas and remote rural areas. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to support rural businesses and future land-based and non-land-based sectors in rural Scotland.