SCOTTISH blackface sheep Emily launched the 2018 Royal Highland Show yesterday in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

Bred by Lanarkshire sheep farmer Malcolm Coubrough, Emily won the Breed Title at the 2017 Royal Highland Show. Malcolm’s daughter Emily, after whom the sheep was named, was also at the launch, as was Emily the ewe’s newborn lamb, April.

Emily the ewe will feature the length and breadth of Scotland on billboards, buses, social channels and TV from now until the Royal Highland Show, which takes places from June 21 to June 24 at the Royal Highland Centre, in Ingliston.

Royal Highland Show manager, David Jackson said: “The Royal Highland Show is a once a year opportunity to get face to face with the finest farmyard animals as well as tasting the best food and drink Scotland has to offer. It is more important than ever that people know where their food comes from and the Show helps makes that connection.”