Having been a member of RHASS since 1975, it’s safe to say Aberdeenshire Director John McWilliam is very much invested in RHASS.

Can you give us a brief summary of your career?
I have a diploma in Agriculture from Aberdeen University, and while I was there, I had practical, hands-on experience mainly with pigs, sheep and dairy. I worked on a family farm after I left college in 1980, and spent my days growing cereals, potatoes, daffodils and strawberries. For 12 years I was an active member of YFC, where I had spells as treasurer, secretary and chairman. I also joined the Board of Grampian Growers Ltd. in 2002, and have been chairman of the board since 2016.

What is your history with RHASS?
I was gifted membership of RHASS in 1975 and have enjoyed attending the Royal Highland Show as a member every year since then. I became a director in 2012, a role which I love and in which I hope I am helping others.

How are you involved with the Royal Highland Show each year?
I steward the beef cattle on the Thursday and the dairy classes on the Friday, as well as being chief steward of gates, so it’s always a busy weekend for me. Of course, I also assist with the ‘breakdown’ of the Show on the Sunday evening, which due to the complexity of ensuring everyone leaves the Show safely can sometimes take longer than you would expect.

What are you most proud of achieving as a RHASS director?
It’s fantastic to become an integral part of the team at RHASS and have a role in such a worthwhile, charitable institution. Being part of the RHASS team on the RSABI Great Glen challenge in 2016 was such great fun, and we did really well amongst some fierce competition, which is always a plus.

Why is what RHASS does still relevant today?
All the values that were important at the inception of RHASS are still relevant today. RHASS has evolved to maintain its relevance within the agriculture industry, embracing all the pressures and opportunities associated with the high-tech world we now live in.
What advice would you give someone interested in getting involved in RHASS?
Don’t hesitate. Being a part of RHASS will give you some of the best years of your life, and you will not regret getting involved. Embrace it with a keen and willing heart, and it will reward you with immense satisfaction, a wealth of knowledge and a circle of like-minded people who will be your friends forever.

If you want to know more about how to get involved with RHASS and how we can help you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.