With the 2023 Golden Shears Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling World Championships being showcased at this year's Royal Highland Show, in June, the Scottish team are gearing up for what is set to be an exhilarating event for spectators and competitors alike.

With over 30 countries expected to compete for the title – which showcases the art, skill and techniques it takes to be a world champion – team manager for Scotland, David Stewart, is confident that the home team are more than prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.

"Team Scotland are world standard competitors and can hold their own against any country they face," commented David, who works as a self employed sheep farmer and deer stalker from Glenshee. Running 1000 ewes split between Texels and Cheviots, David himself is a past YFC shearing champion at the Royal Highland Show and has represented Scotland as a member of the Scottish shearing team at international level, as well as winning numerous shearing competitions across Scotland over the years.

"I've also had a shearing run of 30,000 sheep per year and have acted as a shearing instructor and judge for over 45 years. Despite giving up contract shearing a few years ago due to ill health, this year I was able to pick up the handpiece and get back on the boards which Im really excited about," he added.

With the competition fast approaching, David added that preparation is key when it comes to practicing for the World Championships.

"Everyone is busy lambing and calving and although the team are professional shearers and handlers, it is not their full time job and most have farms to run. We aim to try and get a good few sheep shorn prior to the event to get up to speed and to standard – it is something that the team need to be physically fit for too," he explained.

The breed of sheep used is also an important factor when it comes to professional clipping in a competition of this standard.

"The type of sheep we would prefer are Blackface sheep as that’s the Scottish breed, and luckily there will be some present at the event for our shearers. When it comes to hand clipping, Blackfaces are also preferred as the wool stays together and it’s a different type of rise compared to other sheep – a better all round breed for clipping," David added.

Shearing is a hard skill to master, however, David has some pointers for those looking to get into the industry.

"The best advise I could give would be to get yourself on a training course organised by the Wool Board, where you will be taught by experienced instructors. From there, join a shearing squad and get learning from them too. It’s one of the hardest skills to learn but when you master it it's very enjoyable.

"Pointers from other shearers and good instructors can ease the physical pain that comes with the skill but once you start getting things right it all falls into place. It takes a certain type of person to want to shear sheep, you need to be determined and patient," he stated.

With just over a month to go until the event, David is very much looking forward to the competition taking place in his home country.

"It is an honour to be able to coach the Scotland Team and we are looking forward to the competition – it’s the highlight of competitive shearing. For my team members, just stay focussed and produce the best that we know you can."

Meet team Scotland:

Audrey Aiken, 41

"I am a HR Advisor at NTS (Nuclear Transport Solutions) based in Cumbria, where my husband and I have been living since 2017. Johnny and I have been together since 2014 and married in 2019. We now have our baby girl Jessica who joined us in 2022. This will be my third world championships representing Scotland, but I have also been privileged to be part of the teams for the six nations in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.

"I initially started wool handling whilst working with my brother back when I was around 15-years-old. I didn’t do anything further until my mid-20's where I went on to do some work in Norway, New Zealand, England and Scotland. I feel very lucky to have been able to meet and learn from some incredible people in the shearing industry, and I start competing around the same time.

"Away from it all you would find me relaxing at a football game in Glasgow or out at agriculture shows and sales supporting Johnny with his sheep, or working with my mum and showing her Clydesdale horse. I leave the shearing to the guys and gals who know what they are doing with a handpiece/set of blades.. but I probably prefer a cross-bred for a fleece which will hold together better for the pick up, throw and roll."

William Craig, 54

"I am from Blendewing Farm, Broughton based in the Scottish Borders and have been blade shearing since the age of 15 having won the Young Farmers Blades competition years ago. I didn’t start competing seriously until 2010 at the Royal Highland Show in the Open Blades competition. I have secured wins at Lesmahagow, Lochearnhead and the Royal Highland Show, and won the Six Nations in the team event with my partner Mark Armstrong. However, the significant victory, for me, was standing in sixth place in the individual event at the 2012 World Championships in New Zealand. I also have a Gold Seal in Blade Shearing too.

"A hip replacement operation prevented me from trying to qualify for 2017. I compete in open blade shearing, as well as having competed at the Worlds in New Zealand in 2012 and France in 2019.

"I would say my favourite sheep to shear is the traditional Scottish Blackface sheep. I'm really looking forward to the buzz and atmosphere of having the World Championships in Scotland. The support for all the competitors will be amazing but especially for the Scotland Team! I am also looking forward to meeting up with old and new faces from around the world, and hope the competition can inspire and bring new shearers to the blade event."

Mark Armstrong, 52

"I am from Amulree near Dunkeld, in Perthshire, where I look after an estate of 5500 acres which is home to 1200 Blackface ewes and 400 hoggs. Previously, I was part of the open machine shearing but I now compete in the open blades competition and have done for the last 12 years. I have won Lochearnhead shears twice and have won the Scottish circuit in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2022, respectively.

"The greatest victory for me was winning the six nations in 2018 in Northern Ireland, representing Scotland all over the world alongside Willie Craig. I have been to three previous World Championships in New Zealand in 2012 and 2017, and France in 2019. However the greatest win of all time, for me, is being a grampy to Ewan, Adam and Lara. I am looking forward to wearing the Scottish singlet and representing my country again, especially with the competition being in Scotland."

Rosie Keenan, 29

"I am from the small village of Strathyre, near Lochearnhead in Perthshire and I started travelling as a wool handler in 2011 – following the shearing season around the world. I didn’t start competing until 2013 with my first show being the Royal Highland in the novice grade. After achieving two wins in the novice, I moved up to the open grade for the 2015 season. During this time I competed in several shows throughout the UK, Europe and New Zealand, often making semifinals and finals but it wasn’t until 2017 I had my first open win at Balmoral show.

"In 2018, I placed second in the Scottish wool handling circuit and gained a spot in the National team for the 2019 World Championships in France, where I came second individually and second as a team with my team mate, Audrey. I have won the Scottish circuit for the last two years securing my place in Team Scotland 2023 at the Royal Highland Show.

"Regarding the Golden Shears, I am most looking forward to the competition being on home ground. I feel the atmosphere and the energy of crowd will be far more spectacular than before and will really motivate our Scottish team. I am very humbled for the opportunity to fly the flag for Scotland at our national show, which will also mark the 10th anniversary of me first setting foot on the stage and competing in wool handling."

Hamish Mitchell, 52

"I have been shearing for 35 years, travelling the world since I was 19-years-old – covering Europe, Scandinavia, America, Falkland Islands, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India and all over the UK. For the last 20 years, alongside my wife, Jorunn (JJ) Mitchell, I have been actively farming having successfully bought our own farm 13 years ago, first in Norway, before then moving to Scotland five years ago.

"As well as managing our own farm near Stirling today, we also help to run a large farm enterprise near Perth where we currently reside with our three kids – Norman (11), Christine (13) and Johanna (16). This will be the ninth time I have represented Scotland at the Golden Shear's World Championships and the second time in Scotland. I have won around 100 shearing events around the world, the odd speed shear, as well as the Scottish national titles 15 plus times. My favourite sheep to shear are any of the British breeds! I hope everyone has a great time and enjoys the Scottish scenery!"

Calum Shaw, 32

"I am from Saline, Fife and have 20 years experience in sheep shearing. I compete in the Open competition and have won at the French World team event, Royal Highland Show, Scottish National, Royal Ulster, Lochearnhead, Black Isle and Lesmahagow. I last did the World Championships in 2019 in France, and I don't have a favourite sheep to shear but as long as they are small and sit still...I'm happy!"