Flock star moves: meet the latest glittering star of 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
Charlotte Brayley graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2006 with a honours degree in environmental art and sculpture.
She has since gained fame through various art projects involving sheep, having started breeding them aged 12 and subsequently raising a pedigree flock of Suffolks.
Charlotte’s latest art project involves her beloved sheep, Alan, who helped pay for her wedding after her illustrations of him became top sellers.
She says: “The wonderful thing about Alan was he wasn’t just a sheep – he brought happiness to thousands of people.
“The design incorporates my signature style; a mix of broad brushstrokes and circular patterns, along with bumblebees, flowers and the colour teal.
“I have always been interested in circular patterns and how they evoke memories and nostalgia – from a childhood pair of shoes with vivid coloured eyelets, to an abstract form representing my journey with anxiety and OCD.”
Be More Alan
Be More Alan by Charlotte Brayley represents FarmStrong, a new initiative which aims to support those in rural Scotland to develop tools to allow them to live well to farm well for the future of our rural communities.
Rural Scotland is a beautiful place, but large areas can be isolated which increases the strain on those living and working there.
Poor mental health in rural Scotland can lead to increased social isolation, reduced access to mental health services, and a potential reluctance to seek help due to stigma.
The issue is a growing concern, with those working in the agricultural industry facing unique challenges.
The isolation of rural living, economic pressures, and other stresses associated with the farming sector can have a significant impact on mental health.
It is important for the industry to prioritise mental health and wellbeing, creating a supportive environment for those who may be struggling.
Meet the sponsor
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) was established in 2012 through the merger of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) with Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges.
Through these institutions, its lineage can be traced back over 100 years.
It said: “SRUC is at the heart of Scotland’s natural economy, which has a major role to play in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our planet, including food security and climate change.
“Anything that highlights the work of the rural and agricultural industries is to be welcomed, and we hope being involved with Flock to the Show will encourage more people to join this hugely exciting sector by checking out the college and university level courses we have on offer.”
Find your fleece
Locate today’s sheep and access our VIP competition to win free parking, hospitality, and lots more by following this link.