The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has announced its presidential team for 2022/23.
Hailing from Perth this year, the presidential team will preside over the 2023 Royal Highland Show.
There, the region will be showcased with Perth acting as the honorary ‘host’ region.
The Royal Highland Show originally travelled between the eight RHASS member regions across Scotland, before it settled permanently at Ingliston in 1960.
The presidential team serves for one year and is comprised of representatives from these ‘host’ areas. The Royal Highland Show was last staged in the Perth region in 1957.
Ian Duncan Millar MBE is the new RHASS president, alongside vice presidents Ronnie Black, Ewan Pate, George Taylor and Linda Tinson, with the very reverend Angus Morrison serving as honorary chaplain.
As well as farming at Tirinie, Aberfeldy, Mr Millar MBE has enjoyed a national profile through key roles in a number of organisations, including Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association.
He has recently retired as chairman of the Moredun Foundation.
“It is a great honour for myself and for the vice presidents, and Angus as honorary chaplain,” Mr Millar said.
“We very much look forward to making the most of our ‘honorary year’, and to showcasing the holistic nature of agriculture in our area and across Scotland.”
Mr Black is a partner in the family farm and feed business, Collessie Feeds, as well as a successful Clydesdale and sheep breeder.
He is past president of both the Clydesdale Horse and Suffolk Sheep Societies, and the 2007 recipient of RHASS Sir William Young Award.
Alongside having judged six different breed sections at the show, his Clydesdale mare, Collessie Jennifer, won the Overall Clydesdale Championship and the Sanderson Trophy at this year’s event.
Mr Black and his family also starred in the BBC’s This Farming Life.
Now a freelance agricultural journalist, Mr Pate (FRAgS) is probably best known as the farming editor of the Dundee Courier, a position he held for many years. He also farms and is a trustee and immediate past chairman of RSABI.
Mr Taylor (FRAgS) is managing director of G C Taylor (Farms) Ltd and is the third generation of Taylors farming in the Carse of Gowrie. He is also chairman of Mackies at Taypack Ltd who manufacture premium potato crisps.
Ms Tinson is a partner with Ledingham Chalmers LLP and has vast experience in all aspects of business in the rural and agricultural sectors.
She is from a farming family with a long association with the show, and she and her wider family have been involved with showing light horses for generations.
For many years, Mr Morrison was minister for the Orwell and Portmoak Parish Church near Kinross. Now retired, he is a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and is an honorary chaplain to the Queen.
RHASS chairman, Jim Warnock, said: “The society is delighted to welcome in our new presidential team, who will be representing and promoting all that is brilliant about the Perth region.
“We look forward to seeing what plans the team has for showcasing the region both throughout the year and at the 2023 Royal Highland Show.
“The 2023 show will be an important one, with the Golden Shears world shearing championships taking place, so the eyes of the world will be on the show and the Perthshire region.”
