Scotland’s top sheep dogs and their handlers, who will be representing the nation at this September’s Sheep Dog World Trial in the Scottish Borders, will give the public a rare close-up of world-championship level trialling when they gather at Dalscone Farm in Dumfries on Saturday 8 August.
The showcase trial crowns the launch of Dalscone’s new sheep dog demonstration facilities, unveiled last week at the popular visitor attraction, and offers a taste of what awaits when the Sheep Dog World Trial comes to Huntington Farm near Lauder from 16–20 September. The World Trial is the first time the triennial world championship has been held in the Scottish Borders, the landscape that’s home to the iconic sheep dog, the border collie.
The event comes amid a surge of interest in sheep dog trialling, as one of the countryside’s oldest traditions finds an enthusiastic new audience. A younger, social-media-savvy generation is discovering the skill and spectacle of working dogs. Farming life more broadly has become one of social media’s great success stories, with southern Scotland’s attractions and personalities among the most popular farming creators in the world. Dalscone commands a global following of more than two and a half million across its channels, and the farm made headlines worldwide as the home of Fiona, famously rescued as “Britain’s loneliest sheep.”
Around ten members of Team Scotland will run their dogs at Dalscone, and among them is a genuine local competitor Dean Aitken of Dumfries, a respected breeder who has represented Scotland several times but this year qualified for the World Trial for the first time, and now gets to run in front of a home crowd before he does.
Joining him is a line-up that spans the full sweep of the sport. Chris Toner of Lochgoilhead arrives as the reigning Scottish champion, having taken the national title two years running and winning the Royal Highland Show trial in June with his exceptional young dog Grace.
Fraser Shennan of Girvan has already won both the Scottish National and the Supreme Championship, the only major title missing from his collection is the world crown he’ll chase in September.
They are joined by former Supreme Champions Ian Brownlie of Dunbar and Neil McVicar of Dunoon, Billy Welsh of Loch Doon, Dalmellington, seasoned internationalist Sandy McCulloch also of Dalmellington, and John Allan of the Borders, competing for the first time in the Scottish team. Live commentary comes from Fiona McMillan, Scottish President of the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) and local chair of the World Trial.
Ben Best of Dalscone Farm said: “We launched our sheep dog demonstrations last week because people are fascinated by these dogs. To have Scotland’s World Trial team here running their dogs on our ground is a real honour. If you’ve never seen trialling before, this is your chance to find out why it stops people in their tracks.”
Fiona McMillan, ISDS Scottish President, said: “These are the dogs and handlers who will carry Scotland’s hopes at the World Trial in September, and there’s no better preparation than running in front of a crowd. It’s wonderful to see a whole new generation falling for sheep dog trialling online and wanting to know more. I hope everyone who joins us at Dalscone will come by Huntington Farm in September to see the best in the world compete for the title.”
The Sheep Dog World Trial takes place at Huntington Farm near Lauder from 16–20 September 2026, bringing together more than 300 handlers and dogs from 31 nations. Tickets are £10 for adults, with free entry for under-16s, and the full programme is at sheepdogworldtrial.com.
Alongside the competitive action, the World Trial will celebrate farming’s social media stars, with Borders-born shepherdess Emma Gray hosting “Expert Corner” beside the big screen at the heart of the event site. On Sunday 20 September she’ll be joined by Dalscone’s Farmer Ben, and members of the public can put their questions about sheep dog trialling and farming directly to two of the people who’ve brought farming life to millions online.
The Sheep Dog World Trial 2026 is funded by Scottish Borders Council, EventScotland, and Fallago Environment Fund.
The Dalscone showcase takes place from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 8 August and is included in normal admission.
