SPRINGWOOD showground was transformed into an agricultural academy this week for more than 1,200 children.

The Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS) hosted its fifth Schools Countryside Day on Tuesday.

And almost every primary five pupil in the Borders had the opportunity to milk a cow, drive a tractor, round up sheep and pat a donkey.

The special guest at this year's Countryside Day was the Duke of Gloucester, who was introduced by BUAS chairman Douglas Stephen.

Since its inaugural year in 2013, to mark the Society's bicentenary, more than 6,500 have now enjoyed a taste of what the Borders countryside has to offer.

Ron Wilson, secretary and treasurer of BUAS, told us: "Countryside Day gives school pupils a day of agriculture, rural affairs and environment education.

"It is far from being just a day of collecting leaflets - they are encouraged to take a hands-on approach to everything that is on offer.

"The great thing is that, being for primary five pupils each year, nobody ever comes twice."

Among the 52 different organisations and companies who took part were the British Wool Marketing Board, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, the Border Bee Keepers Association and the Tweed Forum.

Representatives of Tweed Guild of Weavers and Spinners and Dyers were on hand to teach simple weaving, spinning and felting techniques.

And Borders College's hospitality department provided interactive dough workshops and napkin folding.

Glenrath Farms revealed what came first - the chicken or the egg?

And the National Mining Museum of Scotland allowed the children to descend down the pits.

Mr Wilson added: "The programme incorporated over 50 countryside-based industries who generously shared their expertise at no cost to the Society and to whom we are most grateful.

"The children had the opportunity to see all different types of food and how it is produced, farm animals, and machinery close up, as well as meeting a wide variety of people who are part of rural life.

"The unique day could not happen without the financial and practical support of many organisations, businesses and individuals, to whom we are most grateful."

As well as 1237 pupils from 63 different schools, there were also 170 teachers who enjoyed the 2017 Countryside Day.

Mertoun Gardens Trust provided potting displays, while Lindsay Grieve Butchers oversaw the sausage making.

Borders Organic Gardeners hosted composting games, Quality Meat Scotland provided plenty of interactive fun, and Ford & Etal Estates demonstrated the importance of water wheels and flour milling to Borderers of yesteryear.

John Fairbairn paraded his Marshall Meadows shire horses, farrier Neil Anderson demonstrated the art of shoeing horses, and Gillian Clark from the Eriskay Society brought along two of her rare breed ponies.

And the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association pens proved popular throughout the day.

Every primary five pupil who attended Countryside Day was presented with a commemorative T-shirt.