More than 100 breeders and friends from all four home nations and Ireland celebrated 50 years of the Scottish Simmental Club at a dinner in Stirling just prior to the breed’s Bull Sale.

Lots of laughs were heard around the tables as members told stories of the breed and the sales across the years, and reminisced on many memories and friendships at shows, sales, and events, and from the ‘old’ Perth through to Stirling today.

Read more: Simmental Society announces £105,000 surplus for the year

In some informal speeches, Scottish Club chairperson, Patricia Goldie; BSCS president Stewart Stronach; and Tom Bruce of the Tillyeve herd, and Scottish Young Farmer of the Year, all gave their thoughts and perspective on the Simmental breed, its rich history, and its potential for the future.

More than £1000 was also raised through a raffle which will go to the Wish List Fund, and Transplant Team Fund at the Children’s Liver Transplant Ward (Ward L50), at Leeds General Infirmary. This specialist unit attends to children from all four home countries.

The dinner was hosted by the Scottish Simmental Club and the British Simmental Cattle Society and saw several past and present presidents and secretaries of both the club and society in attendance.

Two longest serving members of the society Robert McAllister, of the Bruchag herd Bute and John Trafford, of the Hepplewhite herd, were also present.