The Black Isle Farmers’ Society has launched a £5,000 educational bursary scheme to support agricultural students in the Highlands and Islands.
The organisers of the Black Isle Show, which this year takes place on August 6 and 7, has decided to put aside a pot of money every year to fund the scheme.
It is hoped the funds will be used to help students who are resident in the Highlands and Islands and under the age of 25, who are either currently attending or have successfully applied to study an agriculture or agriculture-related subject.
The society said its committee will review the amount of money available for the scheme every year, as it will be dependent on having satisfactory surplus from their charitable activities.
Applications are now open for this year’s scheme and interested students should send their application for funds to the society by October 31.
Society president David McKenzie from Balvullich, Muir of Ord, said: “We are delighted to announce this new initiative which fits well with our charitable aims and objectives.”
Black Isle Show secretary Rod Mackenzie said this year’s show, now in its 177th year, will attract around 1,120 sheep entries, 360 cattle entries and 400 horse entries.
“The horse show on the Wednesday is one of the biggest in the north,” said Mr Mackenzie.
The society had tightened up the rules this year to prevent people entering horses into too many classes, he added.
“You can only enter one horse in one class, in one section,” said Mr Mackenzie, who admitted there had been problems in previous years with people entering the same horses in various classes taking place at the same time.
He added: “Livestock is looking very encouraging. The cattle entries are just marginally up, but the sheep entries are away up.”
The increase in sheep entries – up around 100 on 2013’s show, was mainly a result of the National Cheviot Show taking place at the Muir of Ord showground this year.
Mr McKenzie said: “Last year we had the National Limousin Show and this year we have no show but the numbers have increased.”
The society said it had invested in new gates for both cattle and sheep at the showground, and a new sheep shearing stand.
Tickets to the show are available to buy at the gate on the day priced at £13 for adults and £8 for concessions – those under 12 and over 65. Parking is free.
Applications for the bursary scheme will be available at the show or online at www.blackisleshow.info. More information is also available by emailing blackisleshow@btconnect.com