The Scottish Government has denied accusations the First Minister and Green Minister called off a planned launch event in the highlands to avoid a demonstration by farmers.

Humza Yousaf and Lorna Slater were scheduled to make a ‘significant announcement’ at Cairngorms National Park this week, prompting farmers and residents to organise a rally against the Scottish Government's handling of rural policies and state 'enough is enough' arguing the green agenda is set to 'bankrupt the industry'.

Despite the event being cancelled, up to 70 people, with more than 20 vehicles took to the streets to make their views known.

Deeside farmer Sandy Tulloch said although the reason given for the cancelled government event was weather warnings, he suspected first minister Humza Yousaf “didn’t want to have a confrontation with real people.”

When approached by The Scottish Farmer to comment on the rally, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “I have made absolutely clear that producing food is a key priority for the Scottish Government.

“One of the core aims of our Vision for Agriculture in the future is to meet more of our own food needs sustainably and we know the contribution that farmers in the Cairngorms area and elsewhere already make to this, not only producing food, but also addressing climate change and protecting and restoring nature.”

The video was edited and supplied by those attending the rally.

Full coverage is in this week’s paper (27th January 2024) and in our online edition here