A prestigious line-up of judges has been unveiled for next year’s Royal Highland Show.
Around 7,000 entries of cattle, sheep, horses, goats and poultry will be judged across the four-day event, now in its 176th year, which takes place on June 23-26, 2016, at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
Among the line-up of judges are a host of well-known Scottish names, including renowned Simmental breeder Gerald Smith of Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk.
Mr Smith, who is a familiar face on the show circuit with his award-winning herd of cattle, will judge the overall beef interbreed and interbreed teams championships.
The other beef championship judges are: Michael Robertson of Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, for the beef breeder and beef junior championships; Irishman V J Wallace of Trinaltinagh House, Garvagh, Londonderry, for the overall beef native interbreed team championship; and James Goldie of Orchard Cottage, Clarencefield, Dumfries for the interbreed pairs.
Beef judges from the north and north-east include: James McConachie of Culfoichmore, Advie, Grantown on Spey, in the Highland section; Neil Barclay of Harestone, Crathes, Banchory, in the Salers section; and WEndy Hunter of Newbigging, Culsalmong, Insch, in the commercial section.
In the sheep rings, James Irving of Mountbenger, Selkirk, will be tasked with selecting the overall interbreed champion, while Charollais breeder Herbie Kennedy of Parkgate, Dumfries, will judge the overall sheep pairs interbreed championship and the young handlers.
Sheep judges from the north and north-east include: George Stuart of Milton of Birness, Ellon, in the Suffolk section; Eric Graham of Gremista Farm, Lerwick, in the Shetland section; and Ronnie Wilkie of Tillyboy, Echt, in the commercial section.
Meanwhile, in the dairy section, the overall championship will be judged by Edward Crank of Village Green Farm, Chester, and Katie Davidson of Myrtle Cottage Haugh of Urr, will judge the dairy calf and showmanship championships.
Over in the equestrian section, 36 sections are planned for the Light Horses, nine of which are HOYS qualifiers.
According to organisers, all classes will be judged by some of the most experienced and well-respected individuals in the equine industry, including Chris Hunnable, who is well-known in the Hunter world and who regularly shows himself.
In the heave horses section, Clydesdale judging will be carried out by Neil Christie of Dalern, Dalfoil, by Glasgow, and William Clark of Pitlandie, Stanley.
Highlands will be judged by Linda Impey, Chelmsford, Essex and John Reid of Inverurie, while the native harness class will be judged by retired Invercauld Estate gamekeeper Peter Fraser, Abergeldie, by Ballater.