Meet the Flockers: See the travelling public art show as it tours Scotland
The Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championships is returning to the Royal Highland Show in June after 20 years.
Held in the MacRobert Theatre, more than 35 countries from across the world will battle it out to see who is the fastest sheep shearer and who has the best woolhandling technique.
The highly-anticipated event will feature 39 decorated sheep sculptures that are currently on tour across Scotland in the Flock to the Show public art trail.
The Scotsman is the media partner for both events and the Royal Highland Show is held from 22 to 25 June.
Visit the website at royalhighlandshow.org
Meet the artist
Jenny McHardy is a knitwear designer working in Fife.
Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2007, she has taught textile workshops in schools, colleges, and universities as well as running
her own busy knitwear label, Nervous Stitch.
Jenny is passionate about Scottish knitwear and textiles and she always incorporates knit into every piece, keeping Scottish textiles relevant and contemporary.
Jennifer says: “The inspiration for the sheep design came from the bold graphic monochromatic designs of Sanquhar knitting.
“Most people are aware of Fair Isle knitting, but many are unaware of the existence of Sanquhar knitting hailing from the small town of Sanquhar near the Scottish Borders. I used a few different designs within Baa-ry, knitting his jumper cuffs and neckband in pure wool.
“The neckband has the date and name knitted into the design, in keeping with the traditions of Sanquhar knitting.”
Baa-ry Sanquhar
Baa-ry Sanquhar by Jennifer McHardy raises awareness of how new technology has brought great benefits to Scottish farming, the wider economy, and the environment.
Its adoption has improved productivity, efficiency, and profitability, allowing farmers to produce more with less waste, reduced labour, and lower environmental impact.
This has helped Scotland remain competitive globally, increasing exports, driving growth and job creation.
Other benefits have been improved animal welfare, disease control, and soil health, leading to more sustainable and ethical practices. This, in turn, has improved the quality of produce and increased consumer demand.
There are also environmental benefits, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and soil degradation.
All this helps Scotland meet its environmental targets and improves its reputation as a sustainable food producer.
Meet the sponsor
Harrison & Heatherington is the UK’s largest livestock trading company, operating eight auction marts, across the north of England and Scottish Borders, and hosting a digital virtual livestock platform.
The company, which dates back to 1870, stated: “We already support the sheep section of the Royal Highland Show and so it was a natural bolt-on for us to become a sponsor.
“We sell in the region of 800,000 head of sheep through our sites annually, so we are very well connected to sheep industry. The agri and rural community are the backbone of so many related industries, and it is vital we champion these wonderful people.”
Harrison & Heatherington will be at the Livestock Arena of the show.
Find your fleece
Locate today’s sheep and access our VIP competition to win free parking, hospitality, and lots more by following this link.