Top of the flocks crown awaits as show draws near

Scottish breeders urged to get involved in online event which will celebrate what is great about the farming industry

The sheep contest, kindly sponsored by mental health charity Samaritans, features nine classes.

These are: Blackface; Suffolk; Texel; Beltex; Bluefaced Leicesters; commercial sheep; any other breed of sheep; junior young handlers for those aged 10 and under; and senior young handlers for those aged between 11 and 18.

Two well-known breeders have been selected to judge the stock on offer – Robbie Wilson from North Dorlaithers Farm, near Turriff, and Gordon Mackie from Drimmie Farm, near Forfar.

Mr Wilson, who runs the Milnbank flock of pedigree Texels, will judge the Bluefaced Leicester, commercial sheep, any other breed of sheep and young handlers sections.

He has enjoyed success at various shows over the years, including six championship wins at the Royal Highland Show, and says he will be looking for an “all-round good, correct sheep, with a nice head and long body”.

Meanwhile, Mr Mackie – a wellrespected Suffolk breeder – will judge the Blackface, Suffolk, Texel and Beltex entries.

He says he will be looking for sheep with a good top line, and that all animals put forward must be correct on their legs.

The show costs £5 per animal to enter and all entry fees will be donated to the Royal Highland Education Trust – the rural education charity run by the Highland Show’s organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

RHASS competitions manager David Tennant encouraged breeders to get involved.

He said: “It is great to have the virtual show to focus on and try to recreate some of the atmosphere that we would have been experiencing at the various shows this summer.

“I would encourage all breeders to get behind the online show and fill the virtual show rings with the best livestock and equines Scotland has to offer and celebrate what is great about our industry.”

Details, including videos from the judges outlining what they are looking for, are online at scottishagriculturalshow.co.uk

Entries close on June 19, so get your sheep spruced up and your entry forms in. The show must go on.

From top: A finelooking sheep; Robbie Wilson, with pedigree Texel sheep behind him, will be a judge for the Scottish Agricultural Show; A young handler and her exhibit in the ring at the Royal Highland Show.