It’s that time of year again when Scots en masse take to the sky and sea to make their annual pilgrimage to the Balmoral Show.
This year’s event, which is the biggest of its kind in Northern Ireland, is the 149th Balmoral Show and is staged this year with a twist.
Organisers RUAS have made the show a four-day event for the first time ever to cater for public demand.
Adding a Saturday to the line-up, the organisers hope, will push overall attendance over the 100,000 threshold and allow more people who work or go to school during the week, a chance to attend.
The sheep and cattle rings were a hive of activity boosted by the regular attendance of Scottish farmers keen to see the latest stock presented by the Irish.
Making their way over the Irish Sea for a one day visit were Gordon Gray from Selkirk, with Richard Wood and Kevin Dempster from Tweedsmuir who are Texel and Beltex breeders.
The trio all voiced how good the sheep rings were at Balmoral Show, which was made all the better with fine summer weather.
Taking control of the Simmental ring was renowned Scottish breeder Iain Green, who runs the Corskie herd with family at Corskie Farm, Fochabers, Moray.
Also present in the Simmental ring was British Simmental Cattle Society chief executive Neil Shand who resides and farms at Methlick in Aberdeenshire.
Mr Shand said: “It’s a wonderful show of Simmental cattle here at Balmoral Show. I have enjoyed all the classes and pay tribute to all the breeders for presenting such good stock.
“The judge, even though he has just turned 50, is doing a sterling job in the ring.”
Banchory Charolais breeder Neil Barclay, who runs the Harestone herd with his son Stuart, took control of the breed’s judging at Balmoral Show and was also impressed by the quality of stock.
Mr Barclay, also of HRN Tractors, picked Woodpark Lottie, a fine heifer from William Short in Omagh, as his overall breed champion.
Iain and Carla Barbour from Annan brought their children, Courtney, 9; Carmen, 7; and Callum, 5; to the show for a two-day visit.
Mr Barbour, who runs Solway Bank Suffolks, said: “We have all been coming to the show for the past three years. I actually judged the Suffolks at Balmoral last year and we always enjoy our visit.”
