The 2008 show staged by Kirriemuir District Agricultural Association, will see a number of new features take 'sheep' this year.

"Fittingly, in the year that the champion of champions trophy will be won by one of the sheep entries, we have introduced a new section, with a new trophy and sponsorship to support it," explains show secretary Cathy Stephenson.

"We also have a themed education tent – Sheepish – which will take our younger visitors on an interactive tour of the show field to answer questions and win prizes.

In a bid to encourage local sheep owners/breeders who keep some of the less well-known breeds to exhibit at the show, director Helen Smith has, over the past six months, been nurturing a new section "any other sheep breed."

"This section will showcase a diverse range of sheep breeds and we very much appreciate the new sponsors who have come on board to support us, in particular Lachlan MacGregor Feeds of Forfar and Potato Innovations Limited of Inverarity," adds Cathy.

"We are very grateful to the friends and family of Jock Stewart for presenting a new perpetual trophy dedicated to this section. The Jock Stewart Memorial Trophy will be won by the section champion. It is a tremendous incentive to win any trophy but to be the inaugural winner of the trophy will be extra special.The show secretary went on to explain the thinking behind the education tent.

"Last year an education tent was introduced by director Liz Crichton and this year we have given it a theme - Sheepish - focusing on anything vaguely sheepish and woolly!

"We have attracted two alpacas to come and show themselves off; they are a little shy so you probably won't get to feel how soft their fleece is on the real thing, but Sue Hewar has very kindly arranged spinning and weaving demonstrations which will include alpaca fibres in use.

"Unlike sheep, alpacas are only kept for their fleeces, which is neither new nor trendy. Victorian gentlemen would have much prized an alpaca coat in cold weather.

"Other sheep and wool areas of the show will be 'linked' to the education tent, via a themed quiz trail for the youngsters.

"There will be demonstrations of sheep shearing and, in the craft marquee, there will be a series of wool-based crafts, including a fabulous felt-making demonstration."

In addition to the Jock Stewart Memorial Trophy, there will be another new shield up for grabs at the show.

Mrs Pat Watson, a Highland pony judge last year, has kindly presented the perpetual Edindurno Shield on behalf of the Watson Family.

This trophy will be presented to the best dressed handler or groom (preferably in tartan) in the 'in hand' Highland pony classes.

Another first for the ever-popular Kirrie Show is the formalising of the classic vehicle entries into a class which will be judged for the first time.

"The Glen Isla Classic Vehicle Club have been an important contributor to developing this class and we look forward to seeing them all on parade," continues the show secretary.

"We are always most appreciative of the contribution each of our sponsors makes to the show and it is particularly pleasing to be able to welcome a number of new sponsors this year, including the Drovers Inn, Memus, Bardon Aggregates, Lachlan Macgregor Feeds, Potato Innovations Limited and Mr W. Patullo, who many will remember as a director of the association and who retired from the committee this year.

"Additionally it will be a first show for recently appointed directors, Findlay MacIntrye and Andy Rae."