NSA Sheep Centre at Royal Highland Show
Date: 19th June 2014 - 22nd June 2014
The NSA Scottish Region Sheep Centre marquee at the Royal Highland Show this year proved a hive of activity over the four days of the show. The remarkable qualities of sheep and the diverse range of products that can be made with their wool were showcased, and the practical elements of sheep farming were brought together with the high-end fashion world. Scotch lamb tastings were also on offer to the thousands of visitors passing through the marquee. Sheep breed societies and pens of top quality stock were displayed side-by-side with beautiful wool-inspired clothes and products for the home.
A key highlight was the fashion show, run twice on Friday and Saturday, where models paraded down the catwalk, weaving their way between a variety of sheep breeds commonly seen throughout Scotland. Thanks are due to the British Wool Marketing Board and Abraham Moon for providing funding to stage the theme of “The journey of wool”. Six professional models took to the catwalk, with specially designed couture fashion from Alison Harm of Psychomoda, based in Edinburgh, and young Glasgow designer Siobhan McKenzie. Select pieces from Gammies Country Clothing were also modelled. The NSA fashion show certainly created some interest with the “paparazzi” with photographs used on the Saturday by The Times, The Scotsman, The Courier and on the front page of The Herald. The fashion show, coupled with exhibits in the marquee, allowed visitors to discover where wool comes from, how it is turned into fabric and the different types of wool available to create different types of clothing, fabrics and finishes.
Although fashion contributes significantly to the wool industry, the marquee also showed off some of the other uses for wool. George Pirie Antiques were commissioned to put on a collection of wool covered antiques, cushions and throws with fabrics designed by Abraham Moon.
Other attractions included spinning, weaving and upholstery demonstrations, as well as an array of beautiful fleeces that had been judged on their quality and versatility.
On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday the general public got the opportunity of tasting Scotch lamb, with joints carved in front of them and presented as tasters from platters. This was well received by both adults and young children, some of whom had never tasted lamb before.
As part of its commitment to the next generation of sheep farmers, NSA Scottish Region staged a lamb dressing competition in conjunction with the RHASS on Sunday afternoon, where 10 to 26-year-olds competed in two classes to show their skills at presenting a sheep for a show or sale. The results of the contest were: Senior Category (17 – 26 years): 1st Euan Orr, Tarbrax West Calder; 2nd Katy Davies, Penybont, Carmarthen, Wales; 3rd Emily Stephen, Dell of Inshes, Inverness. Junior Category (10 – 16 years): 1st David Moir, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire; 2nd Finn Christie, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire; 3rd Angus Dun, Gilston, Midlothian.
For more information contact Event Organiser Euan Emslie on euan@appliedremedies.co.uk, 01430 441870 or 07718 908523.
