Hector Campbell on heading up the Perth Show

PROFILE: Balthayock stock manager whose heart lies in shepherding

When the four-year-old Hector Campbell first visited Perth Show with his father, he could never have dreamed that nearly 60 years later he would be heading up the popular annual agricultural showcase.

Chairman of Perthshire Agricultural Society for 2016-17, Hector said he will feel a huge sense of pride at this year’s event.

“It’s a great honour to be asked to be chairman,” he said.

“My peers have shown confidence in me and I won’t want to let them down.

“The Perth Show is the highlight of my year in office and I’m looking forward to a great show of livestock and a wealth of other attractions for our many thousands of visitors.”

Well known in farming circles, Hector is stock manager for Major Walter at Balthayock.

Although the estate is best known for its champion Charolais herd, Hector’s heart and expertise lies in shepherding the flock of 700 Welsh Lleyn breeding ewes and more than 1,000 lambs that graze the hillside above Kinfauns.

The fourth generation of his family to work at Balthayock, Hector said he opted to help with the sheep rather than the cattle as a teenager because it was easier to get time off to play football.

“I was a pretty good player in my youth,” he said.

“I played for five seasons in the junior league – with Letham Juniors, Luncarty Juniors and Kinrossie Amateurs.

“But this all came to an end when I was about 30. My father’s failing health meant he couldn’t tend to the sheep and I settled into the shepherding.”

A year at Lawers School of Agriculture near Comrie when he left school had honed Hector’s skills and that, coupled with the wealth of knowledge imparted by his father, saw him settle in to the job he grew to love.

“There’s nothing like shepherding,” he said.

“My favourite time is the lambing season – it’s so rewarding to see the wee ones come into the world.

Yes, shepherding has its stresses and frustrations like any other job – and when the weather turns brutal during lambing it can present the worst of times – but why would you choose to sit in an office trussed up in a suit and tie when you could be out on the hills with the dog checking the flock? It’s a hard physical life at times but it’s a grand life.”

Hector was appointed a director of Perthshire Agricultural Society 13 years ago and served as sheep convener for five years.

As an exhibitor, Hector used to show Suffolks, but it was only when he brought forward the Lleyn that he secured champion and reserve champion rosettes.

And he is passionate about taking the farmer’s story beyond the agricultural communities.

“Perth Show is a great window on to the farming world and I think it’s important that people know what a farmer’s life is all about,” he said.

“They’re the people that put the bread on your plate and the milk in your tea so I would encourage everyone to come to the show and support their farming community and related industries.

“An enhanced and exciting programme for 2016 means that visitors could come both days and have a completely different experience.

“I look forward to welcoming everyone there.”

Hector Campbell.