Success resonates throughout the shearing industry worldwide as Scotland’s very own Una Cameron of St.Boswells makes history by achieving a female nine-hour solo strong wool world record in shearing 517 Romney ewes.

At the impressive age of 51, Una has gone above and beyond her Kiwi predecessor, Sacha Bond, 30, who previously held the title with 458 shorn sheep. Una’s remarkable achievement took place at Trefranck Farm, Cornwall on Wednesday, August 7, where Una sheared Matt and Pip Smith’s flock named Resilient Romneys.

Una commenced shearing at 5am, quickly finding her rhythm; she had her second sheep on the board in under a minute. Within her first two-hour run, she was already well ahead of Sacha’s 98-run mark, presenting a staggering 113 shorn sheep. Despite the crisp start, Una powered through, and her partner, Geordie Bayne, noted that this strong start would only improve as the sheep warmed up.

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By the second run, which took place from 8am to 9:45am, Una's pace had not faltered. Her mother, Rose, and friend, Karen, had driven down from the Scottish Borders to watch proudly from the front row. In this 105-minute stretch, Una added 105 more sheep to her tally, maintaining a consistent one-a-minute pace.

By the third run, from 10:15am to noon, Una had shorn a total of 218 sheep, placing her well ahead of Bond, who was at 189 at this stage. With an increasing crowd and rising shed temperatures, the sheep were warming up, making the shearing slightly easier. Una's mentor, Matt Smith - who holds the men's nine-hour strong wool ewe world record - watched closely, offering guidance and encouragement. The event, hosted at Matt and his wife Pip's farm, was well-suited to world record attempts with its purpose-built, New Zealand-style shearing shed featuring a raised shearing board. By lunchtime, Una had blown the competition away, shearing 101 sheep in the third run and bringing her total to 319 before lunch.

After a refreshing hour for lunch, Una returned rejuvenated and ready for the fourth run, which took place from 1pm to 2:45pm. She had clearly stepped up a gear, supported by a global team. Her woolhandler, Kiwi-born Ana Leira, now living in Norway, and 'Harry,' a Norwegian with wool handling experience, were both integral to the operation, while Kiwi Amy Silcock, in the pen, ensured Una stayed hydrated.

Also in the pens, Borders shearing contractors Will and Ruth Dickson assisted, with Will in the pen and Ruth managing the kitchen. As the day progressed, the competition also saw Bond shearing 91 sheep in the fourth run. However, Una remained unstoppable, shearing an impressive 104 sheep in this session, further solidifying her lead in this intense, day-long challenge.