Miss Scotland Takes High Fashion to the Hills of Perthshire

Miss Scotland Ellie McKeating took high fashion to the high hills of Perthshire this week to raise the profile of the quality and versatility of Scotch Lamb and Scottish wool.

Miss McKeating, who will be taking to the National Sheep Association catwalk at the Royal Highland Show (June 18th – 21st), visited Connachan Farm, near Crieff to learn more about sheep farming in the hills.

Mary McCall Smith runs 1000 Blackface ewes over 2500 acres at Connachan. The farm, which extends to around 2500 feet above sea level, is ideal for breeding Blackface sheep and has earned an enviable reputation for the quality of its livestock.

During her visit Miss McKeating was joined by Connachan shepherd Scott Macaulay, who was originally from Lewis where he worked as a Harris tweed weaver.

She stepped out of her high heels for her trip to the farm, where shearing is well underway, and showed her support for the British wool industry by wearing a stunning wool dress from Edinburgh-based designer Psychomoda.

This is one of a range of high fashion garments from different Scottish designers which she, and other top models, will be wearing on the catwalk in the National Sheep Association (NSA) marquee at the Royal Highland Show on Sunday, June 21st at 12 noon and 2.30pm. The NSA fashion shows, organised by Strathearn-based Louise Quinn, also take place on Friday June 19th.

Miss McKeating, who has been working closely with Quality Meat Scotland to promote the speed and simplicity of cooking with tasty Scotch Lamb PGI, will also be joining some of the around 1000 children cooking with Scotch Lamb, and Scotch beef and Specially Selected Pork, in the Children’s Cookery Theatre in the Discovery Centre.

“Many thanks to Mary and the team at Connachan for being great hosts for the visit,” said Carol McLaren, QMS Head of Communications. “As well as providing a stunning location, the farm visit was also a great opportunity to highlight the importance of hill and upland livestock farming to Scotland’s landscape and the fantastic environmental biodiversity our farmers are proud to support,” she said.