The modest shepherd who once sold a Blackface tup for £32,000
He is concerned I make him out to be a big boasting “blaw”... We’re an hour into chatting, at least, before retired Troloss shepherd Billy McMorran admits he sold a Blackface tup, Old Sandy, for...
View Article‘Origin UK’ beef should top menu
Busy investigators, angry retailers and nationwide public concern led by shocked consumers have routed any immediate threat of beef, or beef products, on offer in supermarkets being re-contaminated...
View ArticleFarmers urged to discuss disease
Confirmation that a new viral disease has been discovered in Scotland for the first time is an expected but disappointing blow to Scottish cattle and sheep producers.Spread by midges, the Schmallenberg...
View ArticleShepherds Show set to celebrate 150th year
The Borders Shepherds Show is being held for the 150th time at Yetholm this October. And the organisers hope those in the know will help the event celebrate.The show committee is appealing for...
View ArticleFarming community hoping for a much better year than 2012
Despite the sporting successes of last summer, 2012 will not be remembered fondly by the farming community: awful weather, low yields, increased input costs, lower SFP payments and poor ground...
View ArticleTale of the centuries from Border Union archives
For 200 years, the Border Union Agricultural Society has been at the forefront of developments in local agriculture – and now a new book, marking the organisation’s bicentenary, guarantees this history...
View ArticleBuckley and Hogg mark the end of an era with Charterhall victory
The last ever rally at Charterhall proved to be a bit of a two-horse race with victory going to Kelso’s Dom Buckley in a Subaru Impreza, writes Sandy Brydon.However, his victory was not assured until...
View ArticleNew rally stage
Competitors on next month’s Jim Clark Rally will face a brand new challenge on this 43rd running of the event over the weekend of May 31 to June 2.The organisers will introduce a completely new...
View ArticleCommon good handling comes under attack
A councillor has claimed eight common good funds are being deprived of thousands of pounds by a delay to an investment strategy.Gavin Logan, who is part of the council’s Common Good Investment Working...
View ArticleFairytales are a thing of the past for sides
ONCE upon a time, Selkirk and Hawick Royal Albert were involved in top-of-the-table clashes, writes John Slorance.But now it’s completely different – this Saturday the old rivals are set to lock horns...
View ArticleAll systems good to go for men who would be Kings
The 2013 Kings of the Sevens tournament kicks off on Saturday with the 122nd playing of Gala 7s.With a new sponsor on board and all the local teams gunning to get their hands on the title, the next...
View ArticleAncient Soutra hospital findings updated
Researchers at Soutra Aisle have updated their findings in a new leaflet.Scientists investigating the ancient hospital site give a short history of the medieval facility and list some of their...
View ArticleNeonicotinoids might not kill bees
A BRITISH study says there is no clear consistent relationship between a widely-used insecticide and harm to bumble bees.The findings by the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) fly in the face...
View ArticleKey successes in two-year valleys revival project
A TOURISM promotion group and a heating oil collective are two notable successes from a £60,000 project to boost the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys.So says outgoing project officer Julie Nock about the...
View ArticleInspiring youngsters recognised at awards
The voluntary and inspiring efforts of young people across the Borders were recognised at an awards ceremony in Galashiels last Thursday.Hundreds of youngsters attended the first Youth Inspire Awards...
View ArticlePlans to tackle ash dieback unveiled
LATEST figures show ash dieback is in the central Borders in new planted areas, though not yet in the wider environment.Data and maps from Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) show the ash tree killer in...
View ArticleSpring, it appears, has finally sprung
Well, the clocks have changed, but nobody told the weather! British summertime arrived with the same covering of snow on the hills we’ve had for weeks and the wind remains doggedly in the east.After...
View ArticleInnerleithen mill closes but site could be developed
STUART Bell hopes the site of Caerlee Mills will still be developed, writes Kenny Paterson.A total of 33 employees lost their jobs on Monday as liquidators KPMG confirmed that no buyer had been found...
View ArticleWeaving links span continents
TEXTILE experts from India and Scotland have been sharing ideas during exchange visits involving the Galashiels campus of Heriot-Watt University.Designers Swati Unakar, from Bangalore, and Murji...
View ArticleSleepless nights ahead over new tax
Local councillors have joined the political debate about the so-called Bedroom Tax which it is estimated will affect 1,000 households in the region.The changes were introduced on Monday, and are hugely...
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