The famous hairy cows of Scotland will be on display when the Australian Highland Cattle Society’s (AHCS)2024 National Show comes to the Geelong Showgrounds next weekend.
Running from Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9 and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, the AHCS National Show is both an agricultural and cultural event, celebrating the beauty of the Highland cattle and traditional Scottish foods and culture.
The show attracts large numbers of exhibitors and volunteers from all across the country annually, with more than sixty animals and twenty-two exhibitors from Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland attending the Geelong event.
A range of Highland beef and other Scottish delicacies such as haggis and black pudding will be available over the weekend, as well as whisky tastings from the Bellarine Distillery.
Show convener Hugo Howse said organisers were “very chuffed” to have the show return to Victoria for 2024.
“Highland cattle are very distinctive-looking, famous for their beautiful horns and their deep long coats in winter,” Mr Howse said.
He said Saturday’s show day was very much a family day, with a range of activities to entertain children and adults alike, such as calf classes with “beautiful little fluff balls misbehaving appallingly” and a dress up parade.
Sunday will feature the more serious competitive judging, with a secret international judge coming to award the show’s big awards.
“One of the things that makes this show quite unique for us is that we received a community events grant from the City of Greater Geelong, for which we are very thankful, Mr Howse said.
“And that allowed us to do some very unique things, (such as) bringing in a specialist Highland judge from overseas… which just adds a lovely international flavour.”
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Matt Hewson
