FIVE Borderers have been selected as judges for this year’s Royal Highland Show.

This year’s event is set to take place from June 23-26.

All the judges are tasked with placing the country’s top cattle, sheep, horses and goats.

And they come from far and wide to mark Scotland’s biggest and best display of livestock.

John Dykes, of South Slipperfield Farm near West Linton, will be utilising his 60 years of breeding experience judging the Bluefaced Leicester Traditional Type.

The 80-year-old told us: “Old farmers don’t retire, they keep going and I’m very lucky that I can still do a bit.

“I’ve been going to the show since 1956 and used to be a director.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting back although I suspect the numbers may be limited due to COVID.

“It’s a great day out and although some people complain about the cost, it’s less than going to a football match.

“I’ve judged there many times and this year will be judging the Bluefaced Leicester Traditional sheep so I’ll be looking for good confirmation and movement.”

Other Borderers include James Playfair-Hannay, from Kelso, who will judge the Beef Shorthorn breeds in the Beef Cattle category and Alistair Cormack, from Chirnside, who will score the Aberdeen Angus category.

The Dairy Section will see the return of the Queens Cup this year. This will be awarded by Jimmy Hodge, of Eyemouth, for the Overall Dairy champion.

Mr Hodge ran the 550-strong Lemington Holstein herd, which was synonymous with showing until its dispersal in 2007.

Meanwhile, the Cheviot Sheep category will be judged by David Goodfellow from Hawick.

Alan Laidlaw, chief executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming back some familiar faces to the judging line up this year, with many of our judges returning after being asked to initially judge at the cancelled 2020 Royal Highland Show.

"Our esteemed roster of judges includes some of the best, brightest and most respected professionals that the livestock world has to offer, and I can’t wait to see them and our competitors in action in the show rings this June.”

Livestock entries will open in early April when the schedule of competitions will also be released.

The show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh.
For more, visit www.royalhighlandshow.org.