FARMERS and butchers throughout Scotland have been wearing and swinging their kilts in a bid to raise a target of £20,000 for the STV Children's Appeal, which supports children’s projects throughout Scotland.

Quality Meat Scotland supported TV presenter Lorraine Kelly in the Edinburgh KiltWalk last Sunday, as part of its on-going campaign to raise awareness of the simplicity and versatility of Scotch Lamb PGI.

During her visit to a Broughty Ferry butcher shop, run by Scott Brothers, a member of Quality Meat Scotland’s Scotch Butchers Club, Lorraine spent time with staff and chatted with customers to thank them for their support.

She then visited Southtown of Melgund Farm, near Forfar, and joined farmer, Billy Jackson, to help round up a field of ewes and lambs.

The Jackson family run 240 cross ewes and around 100 cattle on their farm and the whole family are huge fans of the TV presenter and explained to her the importance of the quality assurance behind the Scotch Lamb brand.

"It’s been great to meet some of the farmers and butchers who are supporting the STV Appeal," she said. "The reaction of customers being served by dashing, kilted butchers was great fun to see and my thanks goes to all the butchers throughout Scotland taking part.

"It has also been brilliant to spend time with a farming family and see the pride they take in producing quality assured Scotch Lamb and looking after the land they farm. I’ve learnt a lot about sheep farming and the skills involved and it was great to see the farm collie, Max, working too! He’s clearly a very important part of their team," she added.