The Scottish Government’s consultation on the new Agricultural Bill has been described as ‘an absolute disgrace and a huge missed opportunity’, with nothing to encourage hill farming.

Hitting out at the government’s proposals as they stand, Alec Telfer, president of the Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association, said the process had been a huge missed opportunity, especially when climate change is so high up on the political agenda.

Speaking in his annual report at the Association’s agm in Bannockburn, he said: “The hills of Scotland are the lungs of the nation sequestering carbon all the time and, I would wager, way more than trees.

“To give an example, if you drop a fence post out on the hill, within five years you’ll not find it again as it will be grown over. The worms and the wee beasties will have broken down the decomposing grass mat and turned it into soil which is carbon – a complete no brainer.

“Our farmers should be rewarded for maintaining this grassland and saving the planet,” said Mr Telfer, adding that there was not enough information in the Bill for farmers to work with.

On a more positive note, the association is introducing a young breeders group, with Jenna Ballantyne, who has experience with the young Texel breeders and Jen Craig about to set the ball rolling.

At the agm, Alec Telfer stood down after three years as president and Sandy Smith, Abersocach, Glenkindie, Alford, was elected as president. Derek Redpath, The Yett, Howman, was elected vice-president.

Winner of the coveted Connachan Salver was George Famelton, of Horseholme, North of England, who bred Blackface sheep right up until his retirement in 2023. He was at the forefront of the breed in both males and females and in 2004 broke the Hexham tup record when selling a shearling for £15,000.

Well sought after for his judging expertise, one of George’s proudest moments was judging the North of England section at the first National Show, at Perth.