SCOTTISH REPORT
Regional Contact member – Melanie Harper
As I write this I’m certain most of you will be well through your lambing, the weather has been pretty shocking wet and muddy. Will we ever see green grass and be able to walk around without a thick covering of mud on our wellies which in my world transfers to the car. My lambing started later than usual this year but that’s nature. I used my old faithful Edingale Hugh Hefner and also a shearling ram bred by my brother, George Harper. It is always exciting and nervous using a new ram but for myself and my daughter’s flock we are pleased with the results. I decided any ewes that weren’t marked early went to a Texel, my thinking being the lambs will fatten quicker, I can wean lambs earlier and the ewes will hopefully fall back into the main cycle. Jacobs amaze me with their material instinct. My brother had a ewe lost her lamb, so I dashed home at lunchtime and skinned and fostered on one of my lambs, the ewe never questioned it, the lamb went in to suck and the ewe instantly bonded. I had a friend with me who couldn’t believe it. I said that’s why I love this breed and they are so underrated. That wee lamb has doubled in size and has a mum who adores her with an endless milk supply.
On Wednesday June 10th NSA Scotsheep 2026 will be held in the Scottish Borders at Wedderlie Farm, Gordon. We will have a stand and on it we will showcase the breed, pedigree and commercial. The commercial side is always popular and shows the mothering abilities of a Jacob ewe and how she rears cross lambs well. We are still putting together our new breed promotion stand, something we want to get right. Save the date and come and say hello.
Royal Highland Show chose Mr Lyndon Trumper from Wales to judge this year, and we look forward to welcoming Lyndon and his family to this event. The RHS sent an email to myself regarding numbers going downwards for the classes; welcome feedback from our Scottish Committee was submitted to the show and they acknowledge the issues which ranged from cost, a non–commercial breed, pen numbers restricted due to Bluetongue to name but a few. The show have said they only wanted us to be aware. Hopefully our numbers will be back up this year. As always any questions please drop the Scottish RCM or our Field Officer an email and we can help you. We have spoken about changing our after show party/gathering to something more personal 
and away from the show crowds. We will keep everyone updated nearer the time.
Our National Show this year will be held at Grantown on Thursday 13th August, and Robert Locker has kindly agreed to judge for us. This show will be included as one the points shows along with the Royal Highland, Fife and Keith, with points gathered and submitted to win large flock/small flock trophies. Many thanks to Scott Robertson and his northern team who help to make this northern show the success it is.
Another important date for your diaries is Sunday 10th May as it will be our Scottish AGM and also a judges’ seminar. This will be held in Fife but as I write this I don’t have the exact location but will get this out to Scottish members. Our Field Officer, Scott Dalrymple, will be hosting the seminar and welcoming any new members with questions about the breed to attend. It will be a great opportunity to meet members and share ideas and thoughts. More details will follow.
Robert Locker and his sister, Sarah, had a visit from Phil Wilkinson, a local photographer who for the past few years has made contact with myself or Robert when the first lambs are born as he submits the photos to all the national newspapers and 99% of the time one or more newspapers will use his photos, I did put something on social media about this but Robert has sent me the copies and they are included in this Journal.
