The New highland show chair is adamant that young people need to be brought to the fore during his tenure at the top of the society.

Jimmy, who was the previous chair of the Royal Highland Education Trust, is clear on his number one priority.

“I want to get more young people actively involved in the show and in agriculture in general. There is a lack of young people in farming. Historically, it was an unattractive industry, with long hours and poorer pay. But with diversification and modern methods it is easier to be involved in the sector,” says Jimmy.

“I want to make it easier for younger people to be on the board. Traditionally, being a director was reserved for farmers who had two sons at home or a farm manager. But this is no longer practical. We need to make it more manageable for full-time farmers. We can use technology like audio-visual meetings. Plus we can have fewer but longer days at Ingliston. The board needs to work better in conjunction with the business at home.”

Before becoming chair, Jimmy was chief sheep steward for five years and on the board for a total of 16. One of his first successes at the Royal Highland Society was establishing the young handler sheep award, which has now been running for over 10 years.

“You can spot talent at a young age and if they will be good with stock. It makes all the difference when you have a youngster taught properly by their parents or stockperson how to hold stock correctly. The key is getting your hands in the right position to control the sheep and be able to show its best side to the judge. There is no difference between girls and boys when it comes to livestock. We had 30 entries in the first year and it’s up to 64 now from all across the country.”

Sheep commentator

Another introduction to the show which Jimmy ushered in was a commentator at all the sheep rings.

“They allow people to know what is happening. We are at capacity with sheep, with a number of breeds using the same ring. The commentator has sped things up a bit and kept everyone informed of what is happening.”

The Royal Highland Show has thousands of urban visitors who have little or no connection to farming. Jimmy is keen to ensure visitors learn about agriculture and where food comes from.

“The general public has a desire to know about farming and you learn a lot at the show. But we could do more, for example explaining to the public about breeds. More and more people are looking at the health benefits of the great outdoors. Whether it is walking, climbing or birds of prey, we have it all covered at the show.”

This diversity is something which Jimmy wants to build on.

“I am keen to get more youngsters involved in the main ring. We have organised it before when school kids championed local foods from their area and put on a dance to a farming tune or popular song. It gives the main ring a good variety. I would like to look at doing something like this again.”

The big change in Jimmy’s time on the board has been the rapid rise in events held at the Ingliston estate: “Between now and the end of the year we have 55 events planned. This has grown dramatically. It used to be just the show and a few extras. We are now Scotland’s largest outdoor activity centre. Growing events is going to take me out of my comfort zone. I am a farmer who knows about farming, but I am relishing the challenge of doing something new.”

The new chief executive, Alan Laidlaw, has now been in the job just over a year and appears to be settling in well.

“Alan is very enthusiastic. He is young, has ideas and thinks outside the box. This is helping drive things forward. So we can increase revenue to reinvest in the show and its members.

“We are growing at quite a rate, with 16,000 members, and I want to see how we can give them more benefits. It’s a great privilege to be chair of such an organisation. I always looked up to those who have held it in the past. And I hope I can do it justice.”

The price of a ticket to the show is £27 for an adult and free to under-16s.

“I think we are very sensibly priced. When you look at the amount of entertainment we can offer for a family day out compared with 90 minutes at a football match or a pop concert, we are good value.”

Long success

The society has been running since 1784 and has become a victim of its success.

“The biggest problem is space. The cattle and sheep lines are full and we are getting requests from more breeds all the time. The food hall is packed and the horse section is at max capacity.”

The biggest task for Jimmy will be to oversee the start of the building of the new members’ pavilion.

“Currently, we have planning permission in with the council. We don’t know when this will be passed, so we have no date for when the new build will start. The new pavilion will be expensive. One idea I am keen to propose is for members to get a chance to buy a brick to help fund the build. This would make them feel part of the new structure.”

International visitors to the show are key to projecting Scottish agriculture around the world.

“This year we had 20 international delegation members. The Aberdeen Angus events helped to draw people. Next year we will have a Clydesdale focus, which will bring people from abroad. All international guests get welcomed at our pavilion by the main ring and given hospitality with a programme of events and a tour of the show.

“This year we are looking to ask some of our young ambassadors to show guests round the show and give them information on what is happening.”

Jimmy’s farm

Jimmy and his wife, Elizabeth, farm 500 acres with daughter Carol-Anne and some part-time help. He runs 600 sheep, a mix of pure Texel and Texel-cross ewes, all to the Texel tup. Up until last year he milked 120 dairy cows, but decided to stop due to poor returns. He is now turning the cattle into a suckler herd, through crossing with a Limousin bull.

“A lot of work needs to be done to improve the margin for dairy farmers,” said Jimmy.

“This is vital if we want to attract new people into the industry. There is enough margin in milk for everyone to make a living and ensure that farms can get relief workers to give people a break.”

Jimmy is keen to push that farming was ever-changing and that the Royal Highland Show must embrace change.