SARAH ALLISON, an SAC student from Biggar, has been declared the overall winner of the Royal Highland Show’s ‘Discover Careers’ competition.

The contest, part of a broader RHS initiative to attract young people into the farming and food industry, asked young people to research products and skills within the Scottish sector.

For her winning entry, Sarah gets £1000, as well as a week’s work experience at the heart of Scottish farm politics – in the office of Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead.

After her win, asked about her ambitions in the industry, Sarah was blunt: “I aim to be the first female president of the National Farmers Union Scotland.”

Close behind Sarah in the competition were Katie Yuill from Huntly, and Blair Goodsir and Graeme Probert from Falkirk.

Sir Garth Morrison, RHS president and founder of the initiative, said: “I offer my most heartfelt congratulations to our winner and finalists. They are truly deserving of recognition and will act as superb ambassadors for a career within our industry. I wish them every success for the future.

“The need for an intelligent, educated, motivated and knowledgeable workforce is a pressing national priority. Our three finalists, as well as our career pathways at the show, helped to shout about the attractiveness of a career in the farming, food and drink and allied industries and I look forward to the ongoing benefits and developments that this initiative aims to deliver.”