About NSA Highland Sheep
Following the tremendous success of last week’s NSA Scotsheep, NSA Scotland is pleased to announce the return of NSA HighlandSheep held by kind permission of the Brooke Family, Midfearn Farm, Ardgay on Wednesday 11th June 2025.
The one day event which is organised by NSA Scotland to complement the biennial NSA Scotsheep event will welcome visitors from all over Scotland and the wider UK and will include trade and sheep stands, seminars, demonstrations, educational exhibits, competitions and much more.
Neil Shaw, Farm Manager comments: “The Brooke family, and I are delighted to host NSA Highlandsheep 2025 and welcome you all to Midfearn Farm, Ardgay. Looking ahead and willing to take chances has really helped us put our stamp on Midfearn over the years. As fourth generation farmers we have seen the farming world change greatly in our lifetime, with diversification into renewables being at the forefront. Midfearn was one of the first in the north of Scotland to develop a windfarm and also boasts two hydro schemes. We are looking forward to sharing it all with you in June 2025.”
Midfearn sits on the brow of the Dornoch firth with breathtaking views of the firth and the surrounding hills. The Estate amounts to approximately 13,500 acres in total, with the majority being hill ground leaving around 250 acres in arable/grassland. Working as a purely closed stock producing unit with around 650 head of breeding ewes which are predominantly Cheviots and Suffolks and a small hirsel of Blackfaces remain which have been the backbone of the sheep flock since Midfearn begun. All lambs are sold as store through Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd with the best ewe lambs selected to be kept as replacements with only tups being bought in.
In addition, Midfearn originally ran a herd of Simmental cross cows, but over the years it has changed to a closed herd of 110 Aberdeen Angus cross breeding cows. All calves are sold between 12-18 months as store cattle, again through Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, with the best heifer calves kept as replacements and breeding bulls bought in.
NSA Scotland Chairman, Peter Myles comments, “We are very pleased to be working with such a fantastic venue and a true showcase of the Scottish sheep industry. NSA Scotland is particularly keen to continue to raise the profile of the organisation in the area and give Highland sheep farmers and ancillary services a major sheep event without having to travel further south. At a time when there is so much persistent change on a myriad of fronts, we must look at those who have been able to utilise change for the betterment of their farming enterprises whilst using all resources at hand to their fullest potential.”
Organisation of the event will be in the hands of a local committee under the Chairmanship of Euan Campbell, Conon Bridge, Black Isle who currently is a seed specialist for Watson Seeds. The first meeting of the organising committee will be held in August 2024. Euan comments: “Myself, as well as all the local committee are looking forward to the challenge ahead. Having dealt with Neil and Midfearn for many years, its an honour that we get to organise such a prestigious NSA event up here in the Highlands at Midfearn Farm. With lots of ideas to ponder on and such a youthful team to work with, this event will be a joy to be a part of.”
All enquiries are welcome and should be sent to NSA HighlandSheep Event Organiser Euan Emslie, [email protected], 07902 540985.
