Scottish exhibitors to return to Great Yorkshire Show

Last year, exhibitors from north of the Border were forced to sit it out due to bluetongue movement restrictions but while they can compete this time, the journey is far from simple.

Anyone taking stock from Scotland to events in England must follow Scottish Government bluetongue rules and regulations for animals returning north.

During the high‑risk midge season (from June 1 to September 6), anything coming back into Scotland from England, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man – all classed as bluetongue-restricted zones – must travel under the official Scottish bluetongue movement licence. Unless an animal qualifies for an exemption, it must also have a clear bluetongue test taken within seven days of the return journey.

Fully vaccinated cattle – those that have completed the Bultavo‑3 course, waited 21 days and had their annual booster – do not need a pre‑movement blood test to return home, but they still have to move on the licence with all paperwork in order.

The 2025 inter-breed champion, Denizes Trixie-Belle 16 with her triplet heifer calves from the Barlow family (Image: Great Yorkshire show)

Sheep and other susceptible species do not get that vaccine exemption, so for most trips they will need a negative test result before returning back into Scotland.

The main easement is the four‑day rule for genuine out‑and‑back events. Scottish‑origin stock in a restricted zone for no more than four days can usually return without a pre‑movement test, and fully vaccinated Scottish cattle on such short trips also avoid the extra ExD645 form.

In all cases, exhibitors remain responsible for having the correct Scottish licence printout, supporting evidence and APHA reference number travelling with the lorry.

Show and market operators are simply checking that ‘form pack’ before stock heads north – they are not making the rules themselves.

With the rulebook clarified for Scots heading south, attention now turns to what is in the ring at Harrogate this year.

The Great Yorkshire is billed as bigger and better than ever, with more than 140,000 visitors expected over four days on the 250‑acre showground. Some 13,500 entries have been received across 21 sections, including around 8500 animals, with Scotland accounting for 114 cattle and 46 sheep entries among a strong UK‑wide line‑up.

Tom Boden with the MV supreme champion and supreme sheep champion Texel from Sportsman Farm, Stockport. (Image: Great Yorkshire show)

Native beef breeds lead off in the cattle lines at 9.30am on the Tuesday, followed by the commercial classes at 1pm. Continental beef and all dairy sections come before the judges on Wednesday, with the beef and dairy inter‑breed championships in the main ring on Thursday morning, ahead of the grand cattle parade. Beef young handlers take centre stage on Friday morning.

In the sheep lines, various specials, including overall pairs and groups, are decided on Friday, followed by young handlers at 2pm.

One of the show’s most prestigious livestock competitions has been renamed in honour of the late chief cattle steward, Margaret Chapman.

The Blythewood Pairs trophy for the best beef and dairy pairs will now be known as the Margaret Chapman Pairs, recognising more than 50 years of voluntary service to the show up to her death last November, aged 87. The dairy pairs will be judged in the main ring on Thursday afternoon, with the Margaret Chapman beef pairs following there on the Friday.

Futureproof Sidekick Squaw, the dairy supreme and champion Holstein with handler James Robinson from J and K Robinson and the Coates Family (Image: Great Yorkshire show)

Two national livestock championships are taking place this year for Charolais cattle and Zwartbles sheep, with strong Scottish interest both in the lines and in the middle of the ring. The Zwartbles will be judged by David Miskelly, Alford.

Scottish judges are prominent across the board. In the cattle, they include:

Scottish judges

Belted Galloway –

A Lawson, Leven

British Simmental –

G Brown, Penicuik

Galloway –

W McCornick, Wigtown

Longhorn –

D Bull, Annan

Salers –

P Boyd, Isle of Tiree

Margaret Chapman

beef pairs, groups –

D Benson, Kelso

Jersey –

Jane Steel, Balfron

Bleu du Maines –

I Beck, Stranraer

British Charollais –

G Ingram, Inverurie

Coloured Ryeland –

A Hunter Blair, Castle Douglas

North Country Cheviot park-type –

G Dun, Heriot

Oxford Down –

K Milne, Alford

Shetland –

Suzanne Meikle, Kirkliston

Suffolk –

P Machray OBE, Inverurie

Zwartbles –

D Miskelly, Alford

Wool fleeces –

B Hewitson, Paisley

Away from the livestock rings there is the usual full programme of talks, industry events and trade stands, including the Agri‑Innovation Village showcasing new technology and research, plus farmer meetings and socials throughout the week.

For Scottish exhibitors, it is the chance to get back down to the Great Yorkshire rings – under a new bluetongue regime and with a strong homegrown judging team – that will be the main draw.

Visitor numbers are capped and all tickets must be bought in advance. No tickets are available on the gate which has become the norm at Harrogate in recent years as the show regularly sells out, particularly on the Wednesday and Thursday.