Prime livestock the stars of festive event

Final preparations are under way for the Aberdeen Christmas Classic at the Thainstone Centre next week.

A packed programme of events on Monday and Tuesday will see shows and sales of prime and pedigree livestock – from Perthshire in the south and Orkney in the north – as well as the rising stars exhibition calf show.

The event has also attracted a record 280 pedigree female sheep, which will be shown on the Monday afternoon, followed by a sale in the evening.

The prime cattle section has attracted 80 entries and will see Scott Watson, Muirdrum, Carnoustie, and Harry Wood, Bowland Foods Ltd, Preston, judge the open and butchers’ sections.

For the sheep entry, Jenna Ballantyne of East Cauldcoats Farm, Strathaven, will judge the Texels. Helen Goldie of Harpercroft, Kilmarnock, will judge the Suffolks and Simon Stephen, Meikle Geddes, Nairn, Beltex.