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Andrew Proves His Fibre

SAC News Release Ref. No: 09N82
Published: 16 Dec 2009

The International Year of Natural Fibres has been one to remember for second-year SAC student Andrew Houstoun.

The farmer's son from Glenkilrie, Glenshee in Perthshire, doing a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at Aberdeen, has not only won a plethora of awards for sheep shearing but he also walked away with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society Medal for the best Diploma Student at the SAC Prize Giving. 

Andrew began sheep shearing at home, almost as a necessity on a hill place.  However, as he got more skilful, he caught the competition bug.  Andrew says it’s a skill he enjoys and one he can make money from.

Earlier this year he won the Junior Class of the South of Scotland Shearing Competition at Barony College.  He was placed second at the Highland Show which qualified him for the Royal Welsh Show.  But before that, he took in Lochearnhead where he came second and also won the Colin MacGregor Salver for the Best Pen in any of the finals.  Andrew received a new Hieniger Icon hand piece to mark his first-class performance. 

Andrew travelled to the Royal Welsh to represent Scotland in the Worshipful Company of Woolmen Junior final.  Despite never having shorn lambs in competition before, or anything from the Beulah breed, he came third.  Undaunted, he returned north to the Black Isle Show and the last competition of the year.  He came second, which was enough to win the Scottish Junior circuit for 2009 and yet another hand piece.

“It’s nice to be recognised for something,” says Andrew.

His tutor, Dr. Collette Coll, is equally delighted. “It’s great to see such a young student doing so well academically and practically.  He is a great role model for other students.”

Andrew plans to complete his studies at SAC next year.  In August he wants to begin travelling, first to New Zealand for a year to get more experience in the shearing sheds.  His dream is to compete in the Golden Shears event.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Collette Coll
Senior Tutor
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate,
Aberdeen
AB21 9YA
TelWork 01224 711277
Fax 01224 711273

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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