Park Classes Shine at the Royal Highland Show

On the opening morning of the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, Edinburgh, the Park classes took place under bright sunshine, delighting exhibitors, judges, and spectators at ringside. Dominating the top positions were breeders from Caithness, claiming the Male Champion, Reserve, Female Champion, and Overall titles.

This year's judge for the section was Roderick Runciman of Allanshaws, who is typically found on the other side of the judging panel as a well-known exhibitor at the show. Presented with the consistently high standards expected at the Royal Highland Show, he ultimately chose a homebred Gimmer from Jonnie Campbell's Bardnaclavan flock as his overall champion, sired by Soutra Cannonball, this standout gimmer made an impressive entrance during her first outing.

• Reserve Overall Champion and Male Champion: The first-placed aged tup presented by Andrew Polson of Smerlie, a three shear named Swinister Delphinus, was sired by Overacres Big Lad. He was purchased at the Caithness Sale in 2023 for £6,000.

• Reserve Male Champion: Jonnie Campbell also secured this title with a shearling named Bardnaclavan Ferdinand, bred in the same manner as the overall champion by Soutra Cannonball. He was acquired jointly with the Upper Cornquoy flock in 2022 from Lockerbie for £1,100.

• Reserve Female Champion: This title went to a two-crop homebred ewe from Steven Turnbull's Jethart flock, sired by Allanshaws Almighty and shown by his daughter, Kirsty Turnbull.

RESULTS