Lucy is the champ at Royal Highland Show

The quality and passion of a Longridge pupil was the key to success at the Royal Highland Show at the weekend.

Lucy, who is a pupil at Longridge Towers School and a member of the Ednam Young Farmers, near Kelso, was voted the National Junior Young Farmer of the Year for 2026 by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs.

Award sponsors Lantra Scotland said: “Our young members showed brilliant passion and creativity in tackling this year’s poster and essay theme of ‘Past, Present and Future Skills of Scottish Agriculture’ and the judges had a tough choice narrowing picking their standout entry.”

One of the judges was Andrew Farmer, of Lantra, and he reiterated that, adding: “It was a real tough choice. We had some outstanding entries … and the quality of the entries and passion in some of the writing, and pictures as well, really shone through, but in the end we picked our winner and it was Lucy.”

Longridge Headmaster Mr Lee commented: “The whole school would like to congratulate Lucy on her award, which, as the judges said, underlines her passion for agriculture and her creativity and quality in project work.

“The future of farming is very important to us at Longridge. With Lucy and many of our pupils coming from families across the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, we are fortunate to be part of a region with a strong, diverse and longstanding agricultural heritage. Supporting and celebrating the next generation of those who will shape the future of farming is something we value deeply.

“With the recent launch of our BTEC course in Agriculture for the new Sixth Form, and appointment of a new Headteacher with expertise in agriculture, Longridge will continue to work with local farmers, and a wide range of agriculture services to help our younger generations to develop the same knowledge and passion that Lucy shows in abundance.”