MEMBERS of the organising committee for the biennial Highland Sheep are all set to welcome producers from far and wide to Kinnahaird Farm, near Contin, tomorrow, Wednesday, May 31. 

The event, run by NSA Scotland, is now an established event in the calendar and it is hoped that the northerly location of this year’s Highland Sheep will be easier for farmers in the north of Scotland and the western isles to travel to than its sister event, Scot Sheep. 

“We are delighted to have Dorothy Grant and Amy Clark hosting Highland Sheep. It’s great to see three generations mucking in and to see a family business focussed on what they’re doing,” said NSA Scotland chairman, John Fyall, of the mother and daughter duo hosting the event. “It will be good to spread a positive message in the industry and as half the western roads pass by we would like to welcome a lot of islanders too.”

There will be a number of demonstrations throughout the day, including butchery, shearing, wool grading and packing, carcase specification, wool spinning, CT scanning, and grassland management, to name a few, as well as four seminars looking at key issues facing the industry at the moment. 

These seminars will include a panel of top industry figures ranging from farmers to buyers to vets, who will cover some of the practical problems facing sheep farmers, such as marketing, health and nutrition. There will also be the chance to question delegates from the leading political parties following the Brexit vote and ahead of the General Election on June 8. 

As well as a full timetable of events, there will be plenty to look at as 90 commercial and educational groups have booked a stand as well as 24 breed stands and individual breeders, and farm tours will run throughout the day. 

The programme kicks off at 9am before the official opening by Mr Fyall, Highlandsheep group chair Brenda Macintyre and Joyce Campbell, and continues through to 5pm. 

“We are delighted that Joyce has accepted our invitation to perform the official opening ceremony,” said Brenda. “Joyce has emerged as an inspiring champion of the Scottish sheep industry since becoming the first winner of the Sheep Farmer of the Year title in 2015, and her strong advocacy of the industry is an example to us all.”

All of this ensures the event will give producers the opportunity to keep up with the latest political and technical developments in the industry at a time when the future has never been more undertain.

Entry is £12 per adult, with a discounted rate of £6 for NSA members and agricultural students. Under 16s go free. The full address is Kinnahaird, Contin, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, IV14 9EB.