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00:04Celebrating the very best of farming, food, innovation, and so much more.
00:09From the Royal Highlands Show, welcome to Landmark.
00:33From a huge field outside Edinburgh, at Ingleson, thousands of people, cattle, sheep, horses, even poultry and goats have gathered
00:43for the Royal Highlands Show 2026.
00:47In this special programme, we'll be bringing you the highlights of this incredible event showcasing the very best of rural
00:54Scotland.
00:55Here's what's coming up.
00:57We've got dairy cattle.
00:59Just keep walking, keep smiling, keep smiling.
01:03Beef champions.
01:05Top tups.
01:08And a taste of honey.
01:10Both I would have on my toast in the morning.
01:12Oh, absolutely.
01:18But first, Landmark is celebrating its 50th birthday.
01:22And right from the early days we've been coming here to Ingleson.
01:25Our teams have scoured the showground and scouted out the big farming stories of the day.
01:33And this huge spectacle always deserved a big opening.
01:38Good afternoon and that dramatic performance by the Red Arrows is the first teaser to this year's Royal Highlands Show.
01:44Yes, it's a great day out, but some.
01:48Good morning and welcome to the 163rd Royal Highlands Show.
01:52My first show entrance wasn't as exciting as Ewan's.
01:56And we bagged a fantastic location right by the lock-in in the countryside area.
02:01And all the teams are here.
02:03No genes for Ben Coots, though, when he celebrated two centuries of the Royal Highland in 1984.
02:12For 133 years it rotated around Scotland.
02:16And we oldies rather regret it.
02:18It was super.
02:19But the livestock are the real stars of the show.
02:23And their dressing room preparations have been a perennial fascination on Landmark.
02:27College lecturer Dave Turner and Shepard Neil McVicar don't claim to be experts yet when it comes to showing sheep.
02:35Their record of a few commended tickets in the odd second or third is competent rather than impressive.
02:45It's funny bubbling noises.
02:48And everyone takes an appearance in the show ring seriously.
02:53Margaret's even given her hair a Lincoln red rinse, especially for the occasion.
02:57These days, the power washer has pretty much replaced the bucket and brush.
03:02But the aim is still the same.
03:05Obviously, winning brings huge prestige to take top prize at the Royal Highland Show.
03:11He got first.
03:20And we'll be seeing some of this year's winners and revisiting some of that glorious archive later in the programme.
03:28Now to Dairy Cattle.
03:30And one man hoping to bag a rosette is our very own Cammy.
03:34Yeah, who knew?
03:34And it all starts with a bit of a pep talk.
03:41The winning's not important.
03:43It's the taking part that counts.
03:44Not that you can't win.
03:45I mean, hey, I'm not saying you can't win.
03:48I'm more nervous than she is, I think.
03:50So this is Blythe Bridge Connie.
03:52She's our house cow.
03:53You've met her before.
03:54She is in the two to three calver class.
03:57So that means any cow that's had two or three calves, that's who she's up against.
04:00There's five in the class, including her.
04:02There's some absolute belters here.
04:04It's the Royal Highland Show.
04:05It's the best of the best.
04:12Right, here we go.
04:15I think to get in the queue.
04:16That's the worst part, because you get to see all the competition you're up against, and
04:19they look amazing.
04:22Unlike the other competitors, I don't have a big herd.
04:25Connie is our family milking cow, and I've only had her for six months, so I'm a real dairy
04:32newbie.
04:33Some bag on that, aye?
04:35You know what you're better, just place your head to the ring as quick as possible.
04:39Right, here we go.
04:39Go into the ring.
04:44Feeling like Ali in his prime.
04:51I'm just watching what they're doing and trying to do the same.
04:53Got to look at the judge and then also look at the girl next to me to see what she's
04:55doing.
05:00Just keep walking, keep smiling.
05:02Keep smiling.
05:03You're doing great.
05:04She's actually doing great.
05:06I'm buzzing.
05:07The man to impress is Judge Johnny Lockhead from Dumfries.
05:11Good morning.
05:12Yes, you all right, mate?
05:14Good to see you.
05:15How many calves?
05:16Three.
05:17And fresh.
05:18Three calves.
05:19She was 15th April calved.
05:20Yep.
05:21Just a house cow.
05:28It's one thing going to your local county show, coming to the Royal Highland Show.
05:31It's another bowl game all together.
05:33It's like World Cup.
05:41I'm just happy.
05:42I'm just happy that she's behaving.
05:44She's happy.
05:45It's a nice day out.
05:49The judge makes some sort of selection.
05:53I'm not actually sure what's happening.
05:54He's pointed at me first, but I don't know what that means.
05:57Shaking a wee bit, actually.
05:58I don't know what that means.
05:59That might be good.
06:04And the line-up were tapped out and sent round the ring again.
06:08Okay.
06:12I don't know why I've been tapped first.
06:14I think it's a good thing, but there was a bit of fun at first, and now all of a
06:17sudden
06:17I feel very serious.
06:21Then, another line-up.
06:24And I cannae believe it.
06:27Congratulations.
06:28Oh, Johnny.
06:28Thank you so much.
06:29Well done.
06:30Wow.
06:31No, I really like her.
06:32Today, all her body parts are blending smooth.
06:35She's such a beautiful, sharp shoulder.
06:37She's a lovely level rump.
06:39Well done.
06:40Mate, thank you.
06:42I don't know what to say.
06:43Actually, I cannae do that, honestly.
06:46Amazing.
06:48And for once, I'm stuck for words.
06:51Usually, I'm full-up-hater, but, well.
06:54Yeah, great for a house cow.
06:56And interestingly, somebody told me inside, I'm the only dairy farmer here that brought
06:59his entire herd.
07:06Yeah, I've covered a bit now.
07:09Honestly, I've had some great times to the Highland Show, competing in the shearing, winning
07:13young farmers, silver handpiece and all that.
07:16That talks a lot, weirdly.
07:17Brilliant.
07:22Congratulations, Cammie.
07:23He actually won.
07:24Now, as well as livestock, there's some very prestigious food competitions going on, including
07:30the Scottish Honey Championship.
07:33Arlene's been along to find out what the buzz is about.
07:41I'll be honest with you.
07:42I'm a bit of a newbie about this sort of thing.
07:46However, I see someone who looks like they might know what they're doing.
07:51Hello.
07:51Hello, Arlene.
07:52I'm Enid Brown.
07:53I'm actually the president of the Scottish Beekeepers Association, but I also run the
07:59Honey Tent.
08:00Overall, we've got 347 entries.
08:04There are 58 classes, from honey to cut comb to mead to baking.
08:12So it's all products of the hive.
08:14I can see that Lynn Heppelstone, from South Africa, she's about to judge.
08:21So we have the novice, the under-18s.
08:25So I may only have two entries in this class, but these are two young beekeepers doing so
08:29well to be entering this level of show.
08:32What Carol and I are going to do, I'm going to open the lid and inhale the aroma of the
08:38bees foraging.
08:40It's got a lovely, lovely aroma.
08:43Do you mind trying?
08:44You're welcome.
08:47Mmm, there you are.
08:48Smells good to me.
08:49I did notice, this does look a little thin.
08:52I may need to put it onto the refractometer.
08:55In the shows, on the liquid honey, it's 20% water, and if it's more than that, that is
09:00a rejection on the entry.
09:04Okay, it's 18.5%.
09:06You want to taste this?
09:07You're welcome.
09:07There we go.
09:09I think that's worthy of the National Honey Show.
09:13But that's a very worthy first place and a very worthy second place.
09:17Both I would have on my toast in the morning.
09:19Oh, absolutely.
09:28We have finally got the best honey.
09:31Come on then, tell me what this is.
09:32This is in class seven, which is two jars of ling heather honey.
09:37Very well presented, consistent.
09:40It's even bubbles throughout.
09:43And when you take the lid off, it's got a real, a very distinct aroma and a good quality ling
09:54heather honey.
09:56The aroma can just fill the room.
09:59Well, congratulations to the winner.
10:01That is a fine jar of honey.
10:03Thank you so much.
10:04It certainly is.
10:04Do you think they'll notice if I take one home?
10:12Lanward has been coming here since the 70s, and ever present at the show amongst the great and the good
10:17who love to drop in.
10:21And on a bicentenary visit, it was appropriate that the Queen was able to witness one of her own Highland
10:27ponies judge best in its class.
10:30Queen Elizabeth II came here four times.
10:34There she saw the judge, Ewan Ormiston, award first prize to one of her own entries from Balmoral.
10:39We've also covered sporting royalty.
10:42In 2008, we met Scott Brash.
10:46This is the place I wanted to win, you know.
10:49It beats anywhere down in England, just because it's your home turf.
10:53The equestrian won here that year, before going on to become a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
11:01The Highland is a big draw for the farming fraternity from all over the world.
11:06For some, it's an honour.
11:08Travis, it's a long way from Alberta to Edinburgh.
11:11How big a deal is it for you to be lead judges here at the Royal Highland?
11:14It's a very big deal.
11:15And I said yes right away.
11:17For others, it's a chance to get an insight into the Scottish way of doing things.
11:22They work pretty hard over here. We're pretty laid back down under.
11:25When we travel around the country and see everything looking lush and green,
11:28and people say, oh, we're in a drought, and you think, how can you be in a drought?
11:32The Royal Highland welcomes many VIP visitors,
11:35but few have as much say in farming's future as EU Commissioner Marianne Fischer-Bowl.
11:40European politics were never far away.
11:44But that was before the Brexit referendum took place on the first day of the show a decade ago.
11:51Well, I think we'd be better off by then.
11:54I thought, great decision.
11:56At the entrance to the show ground at Ingolson, it's pretty much mixed opinion.
12:00But nationally, I think the sign says it all.
12:04So, while EU commissioners may no longer need to make the trip,
12:08plenty of other politicos still feel it's worthwhile.
12:13Plus a change, as the saying goes.
12:15And more on that later.
12:21Now, to the magnificent beef cattle.
12:25Each section is judged over two days.
12:28Then the very best from each breed go through to fight it out in the overall beef championship.
12:35Winning this will seal the breeders' reputation,
12:37with those winning genetics commanding much higher prices.
12:43This is one of the most prestigious prizes of the whole show.
12:47It's a huge honour to win.
12:50Guide me through proceedings.
12:51Show Queen Libby Clark. Libby, you know all about this.
12:53You know all about the beef competitions.
12:55Now, how big a deal is this as the plane goes past there?
12:58You couldn't write it.
12:59This is absolutely everything for the exhibitors, for the breeders that are here.
13:03This is the one that they want to take home.
13:07And Libby knows the stakes.
13:09She's a highly experienced cattle judge,
13:12who's already been at work in the show ring earlier this weekend.
13:18How can the judge go about marking different breeds against different breeds?
13:21Well, every single animal that is in this ring is a champion already.
13:25They're a champion in their own right.
13:26And each breed has their own merit.
13:28It's about how good they are within their own breed.
13:31The style, the conformation.
13:33And they have to absolutely love themselves.
13:37So, it'll be a tough job for David Murray.
13:40But he does have 45 years of experience to draw on.
13:45You do this as well.
13:46You judge.
13:46Are you making notes or is it all in your head?
13:49Oh, it's in your head.
13:50I mean, I think the easiest thing sometimes is to park to one side ones that are not in the
13:54rumming.
13:55But once you get to this standard of competition, I mean, it's harder and harder.
13:59I mean, this is the pinnacle for Scottish agriculture here today.
14:04And this is not an easy job.
14:06I mean, as I've already said, they're all champions.
14:08But they're just, they've set the bar very high.
14:12Now, I'm a sucker for a belted Galloway.
14:15And I think that bull looks absolutely sensational.
14:18But I know nothing.
14:19What's looking good, do you reckon?
14:20Well, I can see why your eye's drawn to the belty.
14:22He is a smart bull.
14:23I mean, he's going to make money in the bull sales later on, for sure.
14:26For me, it's hard to...
14:27I'm not an Angus breeder, but that's a good Angus bull.
14:31Charlie Cow coming out with the big calves, very impressive.
14:34Could be the commercial.
14:35When you're in the ring, it's all different.
14:37They all look totally different than when you're on the outside.
14:40After examining every individual,
14:43it's time for the judge to narrow down his choices
14:46to a handful of the very top animals.
14:50So, it's kind of gone all quiet, hasn't it?
14:52There's a real tension in the air, isn't there?
14:54Yeah, you can feel the drama now.
14:56There's a bit of atmosphere, as you can see.
14:58Everybody has just...
14:59They've stopped talking to each other and all eyes are on the judge
15:01to see where the short lead's going to come from.
15:03Yeah.
15:04What do you reckon, forward and short lead?
15:05Yeah, there.
15:06I think so.
15:07There we are.
15:12The Angus, the Charlie, the Simmental and the British Blue are pulled out as the best four.
15:21Which will it be?
15:23Oh, my goodness.
15:25What is it?
15:25He knows where he's going!
15:27Yeah!
15:30That's fantastic!
15:35I backed the Red Horse.
15:36You backed the Red Horse.
15:38Absolutely.
15:38That's a really popular winner here, isn't it?
15:40Yeah, it is.
15:40Huge congratulations to the Alford family from Devon.
15:45Owners of Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140.
15:50What a moment for them.
15:55Before the show moved to its permanent home here in Ingleson, it used to travel around
16:00the eight regions of the country.
16:02Nowadays, these regions are recognised in the President's Initiative, a way of bringing
16:07the best of there to here.
16:09Rosie's checking out this year's hosts.
16:19I'm heading for the President's Marquis, where a little bit of Aberdeenshire has arrived at
16:24Ingleson.
16:25And from where in there is Vice President Anna Mitchell.
16:34Anna, what is the region bringing to the show this year?
16:37Well, we've got two Aberdeen Angus cows with us.
16:39We've got some local retailers, so yeah, we've got it all.
16:42What about the food and drink producers?
16:44How important are they to the area?
16:45So Aberdeenshire produces 20% of all Scotland's food production.
16:50If you go into Scotland's larger, you'll meet lots of producers from Aberdeenshire.
16:53Great.
16:54And how am I meant to find these people?
16:56So you'll see these hanging around the shore.
17:07I see your plaque.
17:08We make yoghurt and kefir yoghurt.
17:11And so basically we make it all on our farm in Aberdeenshire.
17:14And we brought it down today to basically introduce it to customers and share the story.
17:18Oh, that's half a fine.
17:23We are from Rousharti, just outside Fraserburgh.
17:27So we make all natural drinks on our farm.
17:30We use Scottish raspberries and Scottish rhubarb.
17:33Nothing artificial at all.
17:36Oh, that's what you need to set you up for the day, innit?
17:42Where in Aberdeenshire are you from?
17:44We are based in Krishni Effort, which is close to Au Bois.
17:47And these are some fine looking pies.
17:49We're basically an organic farm.
17:51And a lot of what we do is about supporting wildlife, nature conservation.
17:56And there you go.
17:57Beautiful.
17:58Oh, that looks fine.
17:59Right, here we go.
18:05So this is passion fruit, vodka, and a little dash of lime as well to bring out the flavours.
18:10That's a gorgeous thing.
18:12Where in Aberdeenshire are you from?
18:13So we're based in Ellen.
18:17Cheers.
18:21So I think it's just fantastic to showcase why Aberdeenshire is so important for food,
18:27for barley production, agriculture.
18:30We've got everything from the best livestock to the best malted barley,
18:34and the best single malt whiskey as well.
18:36Very fruity.
18:37Apples, pears, a little bit of honey, a little bit of malted barley in there.
18:42Slash.
18:43Slash.
18:46From farming to fishing, brewing to baking, Aberdeenshire has so much to offer.
18:50And as an Aberdeen lass, I'm thrilled to see the region getting a wee boost at this year's show.
19:01Here at the show, competitions are in full swing, but just what does it take to catch the judge's eye?
19:08Last time, Cammy joined professional sheep dresser Kenny O'Connor as he prepped and preened his own Blue Domains
19:15and top beader Sophie McCarley's Kerry Hills.
19:20So, will all that hard work pay off? Cammy's out there somewhere searching for honey.
19:32Hey, have you seen Kenny?
19:33Kenny who?
19:34Never mind.
19:38Kenny!
19:43Kenny!
19:44Kenny's working on six breeds and then he's still got his aim today.
19:47He must be about the busiest man at the show.
19:51Excuse me sir, you haven't seen Kenny the sheep dresser?
19:53Yeah, I seen him over there dressing sheep just a few minutes ago.
19:56And where is he?
19:58With his own Blue Domains of course.
20:01Kenny!
20:02I've been looking all over for you mate.
20:05Hard man to find today.
20:06Have you been busy?
20:07One of my busiest Thailand shows yet, which is good.
20:09You must be popular.
20:10You must be doing a good job.
20:11We'll find out later on.
20:12Or there's just nobody else to do it.
20:15Maybe if I give you a hand you might get a winner.
20:18That expert touch, yeah?
20:20So how are you feeling about her chances in the show?
20:23Well, the Highland show is like the pinnacle of like every breed.
20:27So my chances today are slim, but at best, at best.
20:32Right, so I mean this sheep looks like she's almost there.
20:34What's still to do?
20:35Just a quick trim of the shears and then the Blue Domains have got this special thing to do.
20:39They put the oil on the faces and that'll really like make her shine.
20:42Hopefully if the sun comes out we'll see a bit of shine on her.
20:44A bit of baby oil, is it?
20:45Yeah, baby oil.
20:46Of course, yep, yep.
20:49No danger of the sun coming out though.
20:58And Kenny's Gimmer fails to shine as well.
21:02He can't win them all.
21:04One of his other girls does take a third place.
21:09But if Kenny wants a champion rosette, he's going to have to rely on his best up.
21:16So Kenny's just about to come into the ring.
21:19Let's see if he can compete with these top breeders.
21:39Brilliant.
21:40He's won it.
21:41It's always amazing to win at a Highland show, but it's even better when Lannweather filming it.
21:47And his topped up goes on to battle it out with all the other male Blue Domain class winners.
21:54Coming in an impressive second place.
21:58Congratulations.
21:59How are you feeling?
22:01It's amazing.
22:02I've never had any expectations coming here.
22:04And to get that today has just been nicer than the cake with everything that's going on.
22:07So it's great.
22:08See if you're any good at dressing sheep.
22:10Do you think you might have done better?
22:12Tossed you, Cammy.
22:14No, I'm just like, wait, fantastic.
22:15Listen, I appreciate it.
22:16Let me just follow you along.
22:19While Kenny celebrates his success, I'm catching up with another example of his winning handiwork.
22:29A Kerryhill Ram owned by Sophie McCarley, who we met last time.
22:37Sophie, I've timed it nicely.
22:39How are you?
22:40Good, thank you.
22:40How did you get on?
22:41Good, thank you.
22:42I was reserve overall male champion.
22:44That's the same as Kenny got in the bloody weights.
22:46Yeah, yeah.
22:46Both the same, which is good.
22:48Good result for both of us.
22:49It must be his consistent dressing skills then, is it?
22:51It must be.
22:52That's what he'll tell you anyway.
22:53Has he done you proud?
22:54Yes, he's done a very good job.
22:55So, aye.
22:56Delighted.
22:57Well done to you.
22:58Thank you very much.
22:59We'll see you next year.
23:00See you later.
23:08Now, back to the archive.
23:11Over Lambert's five decades at the show, we've seen plenty of changes.
23:20In the press room, for example, no laptops.
23:25You had to shout over the din of manual typewriters.
23:29Kenny, the commercial.
23:31Commercial camera.
23:33And as for the photographers, they'd have film in all those cameras.
23:37Over there, natural.
23:38You won't see any pigs in the shoring these days.
23:42Tighter biosecurity saw that ending in the late 1990s.
23:47And it's just as well you won't see this either.
23:52It's fair to say attitudes were very different back then.
23:56We'll be supplying the housewife with what she wants.
24:01But some things never change.
24:05The weather.
24:06Good morning and welcome to a rather damp Royal Highland show.
24:10It's been a wet show, but a successful one.
24:12It still rains in June, but now tarmac replaces duckboards.
24:17And of course, the queues.
24:21But there's always the chance to catch up with old friends.
24:25Can I have another one?
24:26Maybe do a bit of shopping.
24:28Four gates. I bought four gates this morning, so I did.
24:30So it was a very big purchase for me.
24:31And everyone and everything that comes dresses for the occasion.
24:42And it is an occasion.
24:46That's why Landward and the thousands who come every year make the trip.
24:51Fantastic.
24:55For all the change over the decades, there's more that's reassuringly familiar.
25:02The pulse of the Highland show beats strongly on.
25:05It did 50 years ago.
25:08And still does today.
25:19And looking back over all those years, the biggest draw of the show has always been this, the Grand Parade.
25:34How's the show been for you guys?
25:35Unreal.
25:36Just, we can't believe it.
25:37Can't believe it.
25:38We weren't expecting it at all, so it just means a lot to us.
25:40We've only got a few cows.
25:46But I think actually when you get into here, it really sinks in.
25:49The atmosphere and the buzz in here.
25:51And seeing all the different champions from every section.
25:59Overall champion of the Charlies.
26:01We've been doing this for 40 years and it's the best result that we've had.
26:05Ah, wow.
26:11We've got overall breed champion.
26:14Overall breed champion.
26:15That's fantastic.
26:17How proud of you?
26:18Very proud.
26:25I love a belty and you belty are absolutely fantastic.
26:28How are you feeling?
26:29Have you been in the Grand Parade?
26:30Oh, it's brilliant.
26:31Absolutely brilliant.
26:39You've won the overall beef championship earlier on.
26:42Yeah, absolutely thrilled.
26:44Delighted.
26:44I took the overall championship.
26:46Yeah.
26:47And he seems quite happy too with the sound of it.
26:49Yeah, he's chuffed.
26:50Yes indeed, well done.
27:01And that brings us to the end of this programme and the series.
27:05You can catch up with some previous programmes on the BBC iPlayer.
27:08Just search for landlord.
27:10We will be back in the autumn with a brand new series.
27:12In the meantime, I'll leave you with all the sights and sounds
27:15of the Royal Highland Show 2026.
27:18And what a show it was.
27:20Thanks for your company.
27:21Bye for now.
27:28Bye for now.