Sir, – About AgriScot ... What can I say? Well done Robert Neil and his team and everyone else concerned.

Incidentally, Robert’s dad and grand-dad farmed Mosshead, near Kilmarnock, until the mid-1950s and were very good neighbours to us at Inchgotrick, when I was growing up there.

His grandfather, also Robert, was very witty and once told me when we were discussing the old coal mines which once operated under our farms that the pits were so near the surface that Inchgotrick ploughman had knocked off a miner’s helmet while ploughing.

But back to the show: Full marks to the exhibitors, maybe lower numbers but what quality all the way down the line, the judge made an excellent job placing them and explained his choices. I also liked how he would talk to the last placed leader before they left the ring.

I was pleased to see so many young folks leading, which ensures continuity in the dairy industry – but I’m still not keen on the shiny, wet look.

My only complaint was about the acoustics, but it did sound better in the afternoon. The green sawdust, which Jan Voss first introduced at the South-west Dairy Show, is still presenting the cattle to perfection.

It was grand to see so many folks having a good day out and on a sunny day for the run up the coast and across to Ingliston with the countryside looking so well. I was in the Stranraer bus (thanks to the organisers) and the atmosphere was buzzing even before we got to the Semex stand!

I really enjoyed 'the craic' after the judging, meeting up with I’m sure over 50 auld pals, some wi’ grey hair, some wi’ white hair, and some wi’ nae hair.

Having exhibited for some years at DairyScot, there’s something nostalgic about it all for me and it confirmed that we did the right thing coming home from Manitoba, Canada, last July, although sadly we have lost a lot of good friends since then. As someone said: “They’re in oor pen noo, an’ it’s getting’ wee-er.”

I was amazed when my copy of The SF came in two days later and the show was fully reported in it, well done to The Scottish Farmer team.

Once again, many thanks to all concerned.

David Caldwell, Turnberry.