Ram sales ends 186-year men-only bell ringing tradition

A farmer from Fife has become the first woman to ever ring the bell at Europe's largest one-day sheep sale.

For the entire 186-year history of the Kelso Ram Sales, the honour of starting the auction has been in the hands of the men.

Liz Lang was proud to have been asked to break the tradition.

The 79-year-old from Cupar said: "It is a great honour, as I've been coming down to the sale for over 60 years."

Liz's late father, Willie McGowan MBE, introduced her to livestock farming and the Kelso Ram Sales.

She followed in his footsteps of gaining a national reputation for breeding prized Suffolks - and was also presented with a lifetime achievement award at the recent Yorkshire Show.

Liz added: "My father was a keen stocksman, and he always encouraged us to be involved - he would have been very proud of me doing this today.

"I love coming to the show as there's always lots of people to see, lots of sheep to see, and you can buy and sell some good stock.

"It's hard work but it's good work."

Breeders and buyers from all over the UK descended on the Springwood Park showground for the 2024 Kelso Ram Sales.

Although numbers were slightly down - with 3,772 rams going under the hammer - organisers expected prices to reach record levels.

David Neill, chairman of the ram sales committee, said: "Entries are of the best quality and from renowned and reliable breeders.

"Kelso continues to deliver the best of stock, keeping its reputation as the premier sale of rams in the country."

Among the early sales was a Texel from the Gray family's Sunnyside Farm, near Selkirk, going for £35,000.