Notice

  • EU e-Privacy Directive

    This website uses cookies to manage authentication, navigation, and other functions. By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device.

    View Privacy Policy

HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay

Claire and Andrew Robinson of Morrisons Farm  with (centre) Maimie Paterson, Treasurer, NSA Scotland

Jimmy Warnock with the NSA Silver Salver

 

Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead, in action at 'Ready, Steady,Cook!

 

Scotsheep 2012 was held at Morrison’s Farm on the Dumfries House estate by kind permission of Morrisons, and was an outstanding success despite the rain which fell for much of the day.

The event was opened by HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, who paid tribute to the resilience of sheep farmers who have endured some difficult years. ‘You are a remarkable breed and I can only salute you on this great occasion,’ he said.

The Duke presented the NSA Scotland Silver Salver to RHET stalwart, Jimmy Warnock, Sandilands, Lanark for his services to the Scottish sheep industry. Rendered speechless, possibly for the first time ever,  Jimmy is a popular and deserving recipient of the award.

The Duke then toured the event, escorted by NSA Scotland chairman Jimmy Sinclair, visiting NSA Scotland, QMS Scottish Sheep Strategy, the Wool centre and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and calling in at the North Country Cheviots, Scotch Mules and Blackfaces en route.


Elsewhere, Cab Sec Richard Lochhead was kept busy, firstly on the panel at the seminar  on CAP reform, then on to The Morrison’s stand and ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’ where he pitted his culinary skills against those of BBC ‘Countryfile’ presenter Adam Henson. The result was a diplomatic draw!

MEP Alyn Smith took part in a seminar on reducing bureaucracy which is a hot topic among sheep farmers. Fellow panel member Brian Pack has been tasked with finding ways of cutting red tape and we await the outcome with great interest.


The breed societies are to be congratulated for displays of sheep in tremendous fettle despite the horrendous weather of recent months. Down in the field, the bewildering array of sheep equipment on offer kept the trade stand busy for most of the day.


NSA Scotland is indebted to our hosts, Morrisons, for allowing us the use of an excellent venue; to the sponsors of Scotsheep for their generous support; to the Scotsheep committee and  chairman Neale McQuistin, for the time, energy, ideas and labour which made a superb event run like clockwork; to Morrisons farm staff who could not do enough for us; and to everyone who turned out in the rain to support the event and make it a record attendance. Last but by no means least, thanks to Euan Emslie and Julie Sedgewick for organising it all. No mean feat!


We now look forward to the 2012 Highland Show, so come and see us there. The NSA Scotland marquee is on the corner between the grandstand and the sheep lines. You can’t miss us!