Royal Highland Show Judging – Thursday 18 June 2026

The 2026 Royal Highland Show judging took place on Thursday 18 June at the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Widely regarded as Scotland’s most prestigious livestock event, the show gives our members the opportunity to compete for the coveted awards bestowed upon the breed winners.

This year’s Royal Highland Show nominated judge was Iain Barbour of the renowned Solwaybank flock, based in Annan, south-west Scotland. Running the flock alongside his sister Judith, Iain stepped into the ring to cast his experienced eye over an exceptional line-up of entries.

Following feedback from last year regarding limited ring space, a larger space was requested. Thanks to the support of the Stewards and the Royal Highland Show team, that request was delivered. With record-breaking entries and a tremendous standard of sheep forward this year, the increased space allowed the judge to work effectively and for breeders to showcase the stock at its best.

Another welcome change from 2025 was the return of exhibitors from south of the border. Following the Bluetongue restrictions that resulted in a Scotland-only event last year, breeders were once again able to meet the required health protocols and compete at the show.

The Christie Family with Champion and Reserve alongside Sponsors the Royal Bank of Scotland and Judge Iain Barbour

Overall Champion and Reserve Overall Champion

2026 will be remembered for many years by the Christie family. Graeme Christie of the Balquhain flock and his son Finn of the Maidenstone flock put forward the sheep that would ultimately become Overall Champion and Reserve Overall Champion respectively.

Their entries certainly hit the mark for what the judge was looking for.

Overall Champion

Ewe – Two Shear and Over, Having Reared a Lamb in 2026

The Overall Champion, catalogue number 138 from Graeme Christie’s Balquhain flock, won the class for ewes two shear and above that had reared a lamb in 2026. She then went on to secure Female Champion before being tapped out as Overall Champion.

The ewe was produced through embryo transfer (ET) from a home-bred ewe born in 2024 (PDN:24:01924) and was sired by Castleisle Blackadder, purchased in a four-way share for 28,000gns. This ram certainly left his mark on the female lines at the 2026 Royal Highland Show and reflected the substantial investment Graeme has made in his flock.

Reserve Overall Champion

Finn Christie’s shearling ram, catalogue number 104, Howgillfoot Royal Mint, secured Reserve Overall Champion.

Howgillfoot Royal Mint led trade at the Lanark Sale in 2025 at 40,000gns and had been awarded Overall Champion at the pre-sale show. The ram was sold online via Marteye in a three-way share between Maidenstone, Strathbogie and the vendors, who retained an equal share.

Finn’s investment brought home a son of the 30,000gns Howgillfoot Commander, out of a Limestone ewe by the 26,000gns Forkins McCoy.

Prize winning Howgillfoot team at the Royal Highland Show 2026

Female success for Howgillfoot

It was also a standout year for Lilia Hutchinson’s Howgillfoot flock, which secured second place in the Ewe Class behind the Overall Champion, first and second in the Shearling Ewe Class, and first place in the Ewe Lamb Class.

A rubber stamp on the quality of the female lines being developed within the Howgillfoot flock and the strong foundations being built for the future.

The winning Shearling Ewe, UTZ:24:00487, was an ET sired by Castleisle Blackadder from home-bred ewe UTZ:20:00028.

The winning Ewe Lamb, UTZ:26:00776, was fully home-bred, sired by Howgillfoot Royal Mint from a home-bred female UTZ:24:00483, reflecting the strength in depth across the flock’s female lines.

Group of Three Success for Westcarse

Another Christie, this time John Christie of the Westcarse flock, Stirling, claimed success with his Group of Three.

With John preparing to disperse the flock at Carlisle later in the year and step away from showing, this result provided a fitting final chapter to his Royal Highland Show appearances.

Dispersal sales are an ideal opportunity for new breeders to establish flocks with females across different age groups, creating a more balanced foundation for future breeding. Westcarse Dispersal

Results – Royal Highland Show 2026

Aged Ram

1st – No. 98 Ali Jackson – Topgun
2nd – No. 99 Barclay – Mid Brockloch

Shearling Ram

1st – No. 104 Finn Christie – Maidenstone (Male Champion / Reserve Overall Champion)
2nd – No. 101 JH Christie – Westcarse
3rd – No. 113 James Wallace – Claycrop
4th – No. 114 Lorna Ward – Baldoukie
5th – No. 108 W & M Haining – Highdrum
6th – No. 100 James Scott – Strathview

Ram Lamb

1st – No. 122 Stewart Lathangie – Pyeston (Male Reserve Champion)
2nd – No. 128 James Scott – Strathview
3rd – No. 131 Gordon Mackie – Drimmie
4th – No. 119 Aiden Mitchell – Grassknop
5th – No. 126 Ali Jackson – Topgun
6th – No. 123 Finn Christie – Maidenstone

Ewe – Above One Shear, Having Reared a Lamb in Current Year

1st – No. 138 Graeme Christie – Balquhain (Female Champion / Overall Champion)
2nd – No. 144 Lilia Hutchinson – Howgillfoot
3rd – No. 146 James Wallace – Claycrop
4th – No. 139 Harry Lyons – Cloudside
5th – No. 141 Jack McDonald – Bayview
6th – No. 148 James Scott – Strathview

Shearling Ewe / Gimmer

1st – No. 154 Lilia Hutchinson – Howgillfoot (Female Reserve Champion)
2nd – No. 162 Lilia Hutchinson – Howgillfoot
3rd – No. 155 Myrfer Evans – Rheadr
4th – No. 158 Finn Christie – Maidenstone
5th – No. 174 Finn Christie – Maidenstone
6th – No. 149 JH Christie – Westcarse

Ewe Lamb

1st – No. 186 Lilia Hutchinson – Howgillfoot
2nd – No. 190 Gordon Mackie – Drimmie
3rd – No. 187 James Scott – Strathview
4th – No. 185 Graeme Christie – Balquhain
5th – No. 191 Finn Christie – Maidenstone
6th – No. 201 Lilia Hutchinson – Howgillfoot