Gilmour Lawrie appointed as chair of AgriScot

AgriScot has announced the appointment of renowned South Ayrshire dairy farmer, Gilmour Lawrie, as its new chair.

He succeeds Robert Neill, who has led the event for the past seven years.

Mr Lawrie has been a member of the AgriScot board for 16 years, most recently as vice-chair.

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Last year, he was part of the team that spearheaded the introduction of a sheep demonstration with Cammy Wilson and Nicola Wordie. He has also been instrumental in developing the Scottish Agriculture Awards, AgriScot said.

Mr Lawrie has also been president of the prestigious Ayrshire Cattle Society, where he remains actively involved as Business Coordinator.

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He farms at Myremill Farm near Ayr alongside his son Kevin, managing a 600-acre enterprise that includes 350 Holsteins and some red and whites. In addition to dairy, they grow cereals on 250 acres, with the remaining land primarily grassland and a portion dedicated to growing maize for the herd.

Mr Lawrie said: "Robert has done a tremendous job in steering AgriScot to where it is today, and it is an honour to take on the role. AgriScot has grown into a vibrant, must-attend event for the industry, offering farmers and rural businesses the insights, advice and commercial connections they need to drive their businesses forward.

"The event has meant a lot to me personally over the years, having first been involved in showing cattle when it was still the Scottish Winter Fair, before it became DairyScot and ultimately, AgriScot.

AgriScot

"Now that I am semi-retired, I have the time to give back to an industry that has given me so much, and I'm looking forward to dedicating that time to ensuring AgriScot remains a key date in the farming calendar."

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He added the event brought the industry together.

"While people might associate me with cattle, my interests extend across all sectors - from machinery to new advances in crop management. We have a fantastic team in place, and while we will not be making major changes to a winning formula, we'll continue refining the event to ensure it remains relevant, innovative and valuable for all who attend."

Mr Neill will stay on the AgriScot board to support continuity, alongside a strong team of directors and Rural Projects, who manage the event's operations.