A farmer from Oldmeldrum has been appointed president of one of Scotland’s premier farming organisations.

At the 178th agm of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS), mixed farmer Alan Cumming succeeded Billy Stewart in the role of president – an office he will hold for the coming year. Mr Cumming will to oversee the society’s busy annual calendar of events including the Royal Northern Spring Show on February 28, 2024.

Stepping into the role of senior vice president is J Cameron MacIver from Kinloss whilst Brian Ross from Lonmay becomes junior vice-president.

The meeting at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, also heard that the RNAS has distributed more than £50,000 to an assortment of charities in the past year.

Attention is already turning to the coming year’s activities, which include the annual cereal growing competition which is currently open for entries.

Citations are also being sought for the prestigious Royal Northern Agricultural Society annual awards which are presented each year to stalwarts of the North East farming community in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the sector. The accolades will be presented at the society’s awards lunch in Aberdeen later this year.

Commenting on his appointment, RNAS president Alan Cumming said: “Billy has done a lot of excellent work during his year as president, carrying out his duties in a consistently conscientious and unflustered way. I am pleased to follow in his footsteps and look forward to working with an incredibly talented and innovative board of directors throughout the year ahead.”

To find out more about the RNAS events, email secretary@rnas.info or call (07593) 227847.