Flock around fun: Scotland gets ready for the return of the Golden Shears to the Royal Highland Show
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
Bridget Milesi is a visual artist and production designer who recently moved to the UK from Melbourne, Australia.
Her freelance work includes costume and set designs for theatre, film, dance and opera, as well as working in illustration, painting, and sculpture.Bridget sets out to create pieces that are nostalgic, fun and – at times – pointed.She holds a first-class degree in production (design realisation) from the Victorian College of the Arts at The University of Melbourne, where she was awarded the Orloff Family Trust Scholarship.In 2021, Bridget had her first solo show at Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne – Straight From The Poolroom – which saw her rework scenes from iconic films and TV.In 2019, she featured in First Commissions, a major Australian arts project, where her sculpture of a hedgehog formed a commentary on the unjust treatment of asylum seekers.Bridget says: “Every flock needs a leader, the Highland’s Sheariff is ours.”
The Highland’s Sheariff
The Highland’s Sheariff by Bridget Milesi highlights how Scottish farmers are adapting to rising energy costs by implementing various strategies to optimise energy use and reduce costs.
Some of these include investing in renewables, with many installing green energy systems, such as wind turbines and solar panels, to generate their own power or feed it into the national grid.Farmers are also using energy-efficient machinery and equipment, such as LED lights, heat pumps, and other appliances, which can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs.Precision agriculture technologies, such as GPS and sensors, allow farmers to optimise crop production, reduce waste, and improve yields, all of which can lead to reduced energy use and thus costs.Some farmers are exploring alternative fuel sources, like biodiesel, which can be produced from locally-sourced crops, and are more sustainable and cost-effective than traditional fossil fuels.
Meet the sponsor
Edinburgh Trams is the award-winning operator of the Capital’s tramway. Its aim is to be an integral part of the future success of the city and the Lothians by providing a world-class, environmentally-friendly, and socially-inclusive mode of transport.Services began operating on 31 May, 2014 on the 14-kilometre route between Edinburgh Airport and St Andrew Square, and will soon be launched to Leith, Ocean Terminal, and Newhaven.They said: “We were extremely impressed by the exquisite combination of colours in this piece of art. Not only do they reflect Scotland’s habits surrounding agriculture, but also the importance of farming today.”The trams will be supporting the RHS by running services to and from Ingliston Park & Ride.
Find your fleece
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