Several north east ploughmen will travel south to Kinross-shire for the 2014 Scottish Ploughing Championships.
This includes 22-year old Andrew Hepburn from Turriff who is the area’s representative in the new junior ploughman initiative and he will be mentored by Alex Keith.
The 52nd event comes to the county for the first time on October 25 and 26, when Newlands and Pittendreich Farms near Milnathort welcome them back to the central region after the visit to Caithness last year.
This massive event nestled below the Bishop Hill with superb views over Loch Leven covers 250 acres and will see close on 200 competitors arrive from all over the UK.
All ages of ploughing will be judged including one of the biggest ever classes for horse ploughing with 8 pairs entered.
Tractor ploughing for trailing, vintage and classic conventional ploughs will be joined by classic and multi furrow reversibles while junior ploughmen will also compete. World style ploughing will also take place with both conventional and reversible ploughs.
Scotland has had plenty of ploughing success at international level with a current and former world reversible champions, a former world conventional champion and the current European vintage champion.
This year will also see a special demonstration competition for horticultural ploughing using the small walk behind and ride on tractors.
Modern up-to-date tractors and ploughs will take part in the trade demonstration plots while others will be on show on the many trade stands and stalls booked in. There will also be displays of vintage farm machinery from local vintage clubs.
For the first time ever at the competition, steam ploughing will take place with the first pair of matching ploughing engines to work in Scotland since the 1940s going to work.
The 1918 Fowler BB1 steam engines will pull a six furrow balance plough across the field allowing many people to witness this type of ploughing pioneered in the Victorian age, for the first time.
Tractor operated buses will convey spectators around the site which has refreshment and catering facilities available. Full details are available on the website www.scotplough.co.uk