SCOTTISH REGION
Regional Contact member – Melanie Harper
As I write this, I think the Scottish Region has probably experienced one of the hottest days ever, and it was our National Show at Dalkeith where exhibitors and stock felt the 29°c. Summer has been fairly kind to us all, dry days at the shows and a bit rain through the week. I can’t believe we are weeks away from the rams heading out again, probably by the time you read this they will be out.
Ewen MacMillan’s ewe lamb, champion at Fife Show with the judge, Adam Christie
As our AGM weekend had to be cancelled, we decided that it would be nice to still head north and have our Scottish AGM. Ian Forsyth kindly invited us to his farm where we saw Ian’s Oldtown Flock along with the cattle that he runs with his father. We held a productive meeting, and had a beautiful spread of food and drink to keep us going after a very early start. Adam Christie along with his parents invited us to their farm the following day where we saw the Adamski Flock (RHS Champion 2025 among them) and we also saw Dad Gary’s cattle which was an impressive sight with 20+ sets of twins along with a fantastic camera set up for calving time. Angela filled our bellies for the journey home with more northern fair. Many thanks for a fantastic weekend.
Fife show kicked off the show year for most and Adam Christie headed south to judge. Lucy MacMillan’s ewe lamb caught the judge’s eye and took the championship with Robert Locker’s ewe reserve.
The Royal Highland came a few weeks later and there is a full report in this Journal from Howard Walsh. There was a good turnout of sheep, maybe a few less than in previous years but some good quality four horned Jacobs were put in from of the judge, Siwan Harris from Wales. Well done to Adam Christie taking champion with his ram lamb, Robert Locker was reserve with his ewe. I have fed back to the show praising them for much improved entry into the show ground on the Wednesday and a more relaxed exit on the Sunday (sweeties were handed out to the exhibitors waiting to load). We all appreciate it’s not an easy task but things are certainly better, pen walk ways were wider and there was no shortage of straw. Thanks to Dunmor and all those who contributed to our after show gathering. Mary always makes sure everyone has enough to eat and drink. We have been discussing a change for next year with regards to the gathering, and shall update you nearer the time.
At Haddington Show Connor & Dalrymple’s shearling ram was champion and their ewe lamb reserve
The National Show was held at Dalkeith and as I said at the start a terribly hot day. We had planned to showcase the breed in the main ring but animal welfare came before that and the decision to cancel was a welcome one. Many thanks to Ady Hamilton who came over from Ireland to judge, Robert Locker ewe finally had her big moment as she took the National Champion spot for 2025 with a Dunmor shearling ram taking reserve. Thanks to Barbara Webster for continuing to gift a glass trophy to the champion. Thanks to our sponsors Melanie Harper and Stephanie Crozier who gifted prize money for champion and reserve.
At the Scottish National Show at Dalkeith Robert Locker’s ewe was champion. The judge was Ady Hamilton
At Fettercairn Show where Ian Forsyth judged, Barbara Webster’s ram was champion and Linda McKendrick’s ewe lamb reserve.
The Scottish Show and Sale has been a bit of an unusual one because Bluetongue and its restrictions caused a rethink. H&H Auctions took the decision to have a sale in Scotland at Lockerbie then the following day another sale at Carlisle, and we made the decision to only pay prize money out to the champion and reserve at both sales. Lockerbie sale would have the trophies and sponsors gifts would be divided between both sales. We are uncertain how it will go but unusual times call for unusual measures.
The Flock Competition will take place the weekend of 25th September and the judges will be Robert and Jean Price from Wales, I will get more information and costs to enter nearer the time.
We are also hoping to possibly squeeze in a judges’ seminar and open day late October and again will get information out when I have confirmation of the date and venue. Next year’s National Show will be held at Grantown, and Scott Robertson will keep us all updated.
Members will be sorry to learn of the death of Agnes McLean whose husband, Jimmy, bred four-horned sheep in Lanarkshire and together they attended a number of AGM weekends.
We hope to get funding for NSA Scotsheep 2026 which is being held at Wedderlie Farm in the Scottish Borders. Hopefully we will have our new breed stand by then although photos are proving difficult for the canvas. We are on the lookout for a professional photographer to take some pictures. I hope to be able to catch up with everyone at the Scottish Sales, thanks again to Scott Dalrymple and Robert Locker, my sale team, who are always there to answer a 5 am question on WhatsApp. Thanks to the Scottish Committee for their support and hard work.