WATCH: Giant tortoises, First Minister and Duke of Roxburghe grace opening day of Border Union Show
Last updated 25th Jul 2026
Racing camels and giant tortoises are among the attractions at this year's Border Union Show.
Day two of the annual celebration of rural life is getting underway in Kelso this morning (Saturday), with the Champion of Champions due to be decided in the main ring in the afternoon.
Show Secretary Jac Neill says it's one of the highlights of the local farming calendar.
She told Greatest Hits Radio: "It's been a fantastic first day at the Border Union Show. The sun's been shining and there are lots of happy faces."
First Minister John Swinney and the Duke of Roxburghe were among the visitors on the opening day on Friday.
"I think there's a buoyancy in the farming community," Mr Swinney said. "I heard that at the Royal Highland Show in June, and I'm hearing it again here today in the Borders.
"But there's also cost challenges, mostly from input prices around about fuel and fertiliser costs.
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"What the Scottish Government can do about that is we can make sure that the financial support we make available to agriculture is paid early and swiftly and accurately and that's what we're doing to make sure the industry is supported.
"And also to engage in discussion about the Rural Renewal Bill - because what I want that to do is to enable the delivery of a secure future for farming, to enable more development within our rural communities so we can see more innovation, more business development; and, from that, a much strengthened agricultural economy as a consequence."
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