Solway and Tyne Club member Ewan MacTaggart, Castle Douglas, has been named as the winner of the 2024 Texel Sheep Society Spotlight Award.

“Ewan is a fantastic ambassador for the breed and his commitment to Texel is second to none. I have no doubt that, in time, Ewan will fulfil all his ambitions within the breed," said society chief executive, John Yates.

The spotlight award provides an opportunity for clubs and the society to promote the in depth strength of society's younger membership.

A committed young breeder, Ewan took on management of the Rascarrel flock following the untimely death of his father, Tommy. In the years since then he has had a keen focus on the type of Texel he wants to produce and that he believes the industry requires. This has seen the flock flourish in recent years, selling to 9000gns for Rascarrel Fantastic at Lanark in 2022.

A committed Club supporter Ewan attends most Solway and Tyne Club events and has enjoyed success in the club’s flock competition. He also has aspirations to be more deeply involved with the club and the society in future years.

The Spotlight Award, now in its second year, is made to a young breeder and recognises some of the unsung heroes within the breed who work to support their local Texel Club and raise the profile of the breed in the process. The award is open to members under 35, with clubs and Youth Development Programme committee members asked to nominate members who they felt had made an outstanding contribution to the breed in their local area or nationally.

Other nominees were; Caity Higgins, Bentley Ford and Wollascott flocks, Harry Griffies, Cairngryffe flock, Lowri Williams, Caron flock, Ivanna Strawbridge, Lynebrooke and Tamnamoney flocks.