THE chairman of the jewel in Scotland’s agricultural crown says he’s looking forward to welcoming the crowds – and four judges from Ayrshire – to the event later this year.

Alan Laidlaw, chairman of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), was speaking after the judging panel for the 2022 Royal Highland Show was announced.

As revealed in the Chronicle last week, there will be two judges from the Cumnock area among the experts running their eye over the animals being exhibited at this year’s show, which is due – Covid restrictions permitting – to be held at the event’s traditional Ingliston home on the edge of Edinburgh from June 23-26.

Glen Walsh will be judging the salers class in the show’s beef cattle section, while Andrew Woodburn senior will be responsible for choosing the best blackface sheep.

The other two Ayrshire judges will be Gilmour Lawrie of Prestwick, who has been charged with overseeing the Ayrshire and British red and white dairy cattle class, and Billy Kerr, from Maybole, will judge the Scotch mule class in the sheep section.

With the cancellation of the 2020 event, and the 2021 show being held online, the organisers are keeping their fingers crossed that Covid restrictions will allow the 2022 event – being held 200 years since the very first Royal Highland Show – to take place in-person.

Unveiling the full list of almost 120 judges, Mr Laidlaw 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.

“I can’t wait to see them and our competitors in action in the show rings this June.”

The RHASS has been flying the flag for farming and rural industry in Scotland since 1784, and has run the Royal Highland Show since 1822.

The event – held at Ingliston since 1960 – attracts around 190,000 visitors each year, with the Queen having attended three times, and the Princess Royal the most recent royal visitor in 2015.

Outside of livestock competitions there is a wide array of stalls and other attractions for the whole family to take part in, watch and enjoy.

For more information see royalhighlandshow.org.