An Aberdeenshire beef farming family is in the running for a top industry award.
The Watson family at Darnford Farm, near Banchory, is one of three finalists for the Scotch Beef Farm of the Year Award.
The award, which is run by Scots red meat promotion body Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AgriScot, celebrates excellence in the production of cattle in Scotland.
The Watson family farms around 1,350 acres of tenanted land and grass lets, including 700 acres of arable ground.
The family run 426 Saler cross-suckler cows with a Saler bull used to breed replacements and a Charolais bull used as a terminal sire.
All stock is finished on the farm, with the exception of 50 cattle sold as stores, and all Saler heifers retained for replacements.
David and his wife, Lynne, have also established a 25-cow pedigree Saler herd.
The Watsons are up against two other farming businesses for the award.
They are A. Malcolm & Son at Wester Coilechat, Callander, Perthshire, and Rosemount Farms, Prettycur Farm, Hillside Montrose. All three finalists have been visited by awards judges – former award winner and AgriScot board member Robert Neill, and QMS head of industry development Douglas Bell – and the winner will be announced at the AgriScot event at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, on November 18.
Mr Bell said: “It was a privilege for us to be invited on to the three farms to get a real understanding of their businesses and their aspirations for the future.
“All three of the finalists would make worthy winners as they are excellent ambassadors for our industry and Scotch Beef.”
Mr Neill added that all families had first-class commercial skills and a progressive forward-thinking approach to managing their businesses.
He said: “It is important that AgriScot showcases the best in Scottish beef production and we are delighted that we have the opportunity to recognise these finalists. All three farms are very different but share strong commercial skills and a forward-thinking approach.”
The winning family will receive a £500 cheque and a £250 voucher to celebrate their success at a Scotch Beef Club restaurant.
The club, which is run by QMS, has around 300 members committed to serving top quality Scotch Beef.