Young Farmers Ready for Sheepdog Final

We are absolutely delighted to welcome our finalists to the SAYFC National Sheepdog Trials Final, taking place on 9 June 2026 at NSA Scotsheep, Wedderlie. A huge thank you goes to Gilbertson Paige, ISDS and Harbro for sponsoring the event and helping to make it possible for our members to take part in such a special competition.

To reach the final, handlers have had to compete through the winter nursery leagues and earn their place among the best. SAYFC is very grateful to the Scottish Nursery League for giving our young handlers this opportunity and for playing such an important role in their development.

Lynn Ronaldson’s journey into sheepdog handling has grown out of a lifelong love of livestock and working dogs. Although she began from a horse background, early lambing experiences in Caithness helped spark her interest in sheep and dog work, and she has gone on to build a career around them. Her main dog, Bob, is very much the dog of a lifetime, and alongside Jed and her younger dogs, Lynn is looking forward to what the season ahead will bring.

Rory Scott, 18, from Migdale, Bonar Bridge, grew up crofting in Sutherland and has been surrounded by livestock and working dogs from a young age. He now balances full-time work with crofting and trialling and is taking both Mac and Dan to Wedderlie. Rory’s enthusiasm for the trailing and the people he has met along the way has been particularly rewarding.

Originally from Argyll, Hayley Ryan made the move into full-time shepherding in 2022 after first taking an interest in sheep work during lockdown. Now managing close to 1,000 ewes in Penicuik, she has built a strong bond with her dogs, Mo and Vera, and continues to learn and grow with every trial. For Hayley, it is the partnership between handler and dog that makes this pastime so special.

Ben McSporran from Peebleshire got into trialling through his Grandad who was a very keen handler and always sharing his knowledge to the next generation of young handlers, Ben got a job at Glenrath and was mentored and encouraged to compete by Davie Wallace.  Ben currently has five working dogs he enjoys training his own dogs and the unique bond that forms with them.  Ben is currently self employed as a contract shepherd as well as having his own flock.

We wish Lynn, Rory, Ben and Hayley,  every success as they head to the final. Their dedication, hard work and stockmanship skills they have developed will make this an exciting contest.