Farming: Scotland ploughs a busy furrow

This weekend, Scotland will host the biggest ever ploughing match held in this country when the Scottish, European Vintage and Five Nations Championships come to Jedburgh.

An entry of 175 ploughmen will compete in the Scottish Championships, at Upper Nisbet Farm by permission of Robert Neil and Partners, with classes for conventional and reversible ploughing with modern, classic and vintage tractors and ploughs.

The vintage classes are always popular with spectators who will also marvel at the horse ploughing. Ploughmen from 11 countries will compete in three classes in the European Vintage Championships, the first time these championships have come to Scotland.

Scotland's representatives include David Milton from Keith, Dunbar's John Bathgate, John Tait from Gullane, Gordon Rae of Lockerbie and John D Fraser of Alness.