RHASS announces 2021 Sir William Young Award Winner
The late Alasdair Houston MBE, of Gretna House Farms in Gretna Green was awarded this year’s prestigious Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) Sir William Young Award for his exceptional contribution to the world of cattle breeding and service to Scottish agriculture.
The award was presented to Alasdair at his farm by RHASS Chairman, Bill Gray shortly before his sad passing earlier this summer.
Alasdair’s Gretnahouse herd is one of the most influential in the national Charolais herdbook with bulls to 25,000gns twice at national sales. Added to this outstanding achievement was the creation of an Aberdeen Angus herd in 2011, and in just a decade Gretnahouse Blacksmith is one of the most sought-after bulls in the breed.
In the early stages of the Simmental breed, the Gretnahouse name echoed through sales rings, with Gretnahouse Supersonic gaining widespread distinction, and even today his name is scattered throughout the herd book.
But 20 years ago, foot and mouth disease ripped the heart of the prefix, taking with it all the fine animals belonging to the herd. However, with unmatched resolution and conviction of breeding policies, the Gretnahouse name was re-established through a new Charolais breeding programme by embryo transfer and purchasing some of the best genetics from fellow breeders.
A well-respected businessman of wide learning and integrity who is celebrated in the hospitality and tourism sector, however, Alasdair's true passion was in pedigree livestock breeding. As Chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society, Alasdair modernised its constitution and mission, driving forward their youth programme which will ensure the Society thrives in years to come.
Bill Gray paid tribute to Alasdair:
“Anyone in the livestock breeding world who hears ‘Gretnahouse’ instantly recognises it as a mark of quality, integrity and the passionate production of top-quality animals.
“Alasdair has been the driving force behind his fantastic herds, not to mention his contribution to the tourism and hospitality sectors. I had the privilege of presenting the Sir William Young award to Alasdair and he was genuinely humbled to receive the accolade.
meet the man who many refer to him as a complete gentleman. Our thoughts are very much with his wife Lucy and their children Tara and Rafe.”
Alasdair will be amongst a number of leading livestock breeders who have previously been acknowledged by the Sir William Young award.