A huge entry of sheep will compete to be crowned the creme de la creme of Scottish agriculture at this year’s Royal Highland Show.
Organisers of the event, which takes place at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, on June 18-21, say sheep entries are at a nine-year high at 1,972.
The breed with the largest entry forward is Texel with 199 lots, while the Blackface and Bluefaced Leicester breeds have both seen notable increases in entries at 119 and 135 respectively.
National Sheep Association development manager for Scotland George Milne said: “The UK sheep industry continues to build on its reputation of producing high-quality lamb for consumers both at home and abroad, and there is no better way of demonstrating this to the public than at the Royal Highland Show.
“All the sheep being shown are some of the finest in the UK and visitors will see fantastic examples of flockmasters’ breeding and production.”
In all, nearly 7,000 entries of sheep, cattle, goats and horses have been entered for the show.
Within this, light horse entries are up by 194 to 1,907 and the Horse of the Year Show (Hoys) qualifying mountain and moorland under saddle section dominates with 2020 entries.
Eriskay ponies will also return to the show with 26 entries forward – last year the section had to be cancelled due to insufficient entries.
In the cattle rings, the Shorthorns will dominate with 125 entries, followed by Limousins with 118 beasts forward.
There has been an increase in Scottish native beef breeds with Galloway and Aberdeen-Angus entries up to 21 and 91 respectively.
Royal Highland Show manager David Jackson said: “The numbers speak for themselves and this year’s reflect the widely held view that the Royal Highland is the place for exhibitors to be seen and, more importantly, to win.
“Winning an elusive ‘red ticket’ is by no means an easy thing to do, with the very best of our country’s livestock being judged by some of the most experienced and well-respected professionals in the industry.
“The equine numbers are also up quite significantly, with the finest calibre of UK in hand and ridden horses and ponies heading to Ingliston in June to win a share in £45,000 worth of prize money. Visitors to the 175th Royal Highland Show certainly are in for a treat.”
Entries previous year in brackets):
Beef cattle 932 (955)
Dairy cattle 122 (120)
Sheep 1,972 (1,862)
Dairy goats 130 (107)
Heavy horses 345 (355)
Light horses 1,907 (1,713)
Private driving 34 (38), heavy horse turnouts 105 (111), harness grooming and decor 24 (34).