Hugh McClymount has been presented with the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers’ (RABDF) Princess Royal award.
The recently retired research manager for Scotland’s Rural College’s (SRUC) farms was presented with the award by Anne, The Princess Royal, in a ceremony at Gatcombe Park earlier today (Monday, September 11).
The Princess Royal award aims to reward someone who has had an outstanding contribution to the dairy sector throughout their life.
The Princess Royal award is run by the RABDF and has been presented to industry influencers each year since its establishment in 1991.
Hugh McClymount
McClymount was born and grew up in southwest Scotland in a dairy farming family.
He gained a diploma in agriculture at the West of Scotland Agricultural College (now the SRUC), despite having had little interest in dairying before this.
He went on to secure the position of herdsman at SRUC Crichton Royal and, from here, he worked his way up the ladder at the SRUC to the position of research farm manager.
The RABDF said McClymount is known for his many roles and positions throughout the industry which include:
- Chair, and now incumbent secretary, of 1000 Cow Club;
- Chair of RHET Dumfries & Galloway Countryside Initiative (Royal Highland Education Trust);
- Chair (and only Scottish person to hold the position) of the Maize Growers Association;
- Chair of the South West Scotland Grassland Society.
RABDF council member, Willie Whiteford, said McClymount is always mindful of what is happening in the dairy industry and is at the forefront when it comes to educating the general public on where their food comes from through open days at Crichton.
“One of the greatest achievements regarding Hugh and his career is the fact he started off from humble beginnings – starting out as a herdsman to leading one of the largest institutions in dairy is no mean feat,” Whiteford said.
Young people in dairy
In addition to the research programmes he managed, McClymount was passionate about encouraging young people into the industry, something reflected in his board position of RHET.
Over his career he has guided countless individuals into the industry, helping them gain the relevant practical experience they needed to progress their careers, RABDF said.
“Whilst I have helped many young people over the years, I believe two of my biggest success stories come in the form of my children, with my son managing a farm estate South of Edinburgh and my daughter a dairy consultant for Kite Consulting,” he said.
McClymount worked alongside Ark Veterinary Centre on a calf club initiative where he shared knowledge to improve youngstock rearing.
As part of this he showcased the farm’s calf housing changes – where calves were initially housed in individual igloos before progressing to larger open igloos in bigger groups.
He conducted a huge amount of research into this project and its benefits to the point where it was a model for others to carbon copy.
