Following a short stay in a local hospital, well-known hill farmer and shepherd, Jim Brown, has passed away.

He was involved in many aspects of the sheep industry, but predominantly with Blackface sheep at Birthwood, Coulter, near Biggar.

Based at Birthwood since 1955, his extensive work in the sheep industry won him the NSA's George Hedley Award in 1992 for his outstanding contribution to it and the Connachan Salver, in 1999, in recognition of his services to the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, of which he was a past president.

He was involved in many other associations too, including the Scottish Wool Growers, NSA, Moredun Foundation and what was Biggar Auction Market, to name a few.

Apart from sheep, his other great hobby in his life was trout fishing and he was still able to catch a trout last summer, aged 92.

He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.