Colin lays down his shears for the last time

A Scotsman who spearheaded the British wool industry has laid down his shears for the last time.

British Wool, the body which represents the interests of the UK’s wool industry, has seen the retirement of one if its key figures, Colin MacGregor.

A former world-renowned Scottish Shearing Champion, Colin has not only played a major role in British Wool, he has made a key contribution to the progression and standard of shearing across the UK. As he steps down after 20 years, we look back at the career of a man who has shaped and made British shearing the admiration of the world.

Colin sheared his first sheep with hand shears aged 10, at his home in Lochearnhead. He started out as a British Wool shearing instructor before taking up his role as Senior Instructor. During his career, Colin has instructed thousands of shearers across the UK and Europe.

When he started with British Wool as senior instructor for Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there was only one course available, the Advanced Shearing Course. Today, British Wool offers hundreds of courses, at all levels every year, and for every aspect of shearing and wool preparation.

From the outset, Colin’s basic philosophy has always been to set the proper foundation, so every young person wishing to learn to shear gets taught correctly from the word go.

He said: ‘This is the vital first rung of the ladder of a shearing career, thereafter they can build whatever they wish to achieve on top of this.

‘When setting up 20 years ago, we benefited from European Funding, which enabled us to train and mentor instructors. The legacy today is a UK-wide framework of highly skilled shearing instructors, who train and support young shearers at all levels.’

Colin has no hesitation in saying that he feels this has been one of his greatest achievements: ‘I am most proud of the quality of shearers and the standard of shearing that we have here in the UK today. This is, without a doubt, as a result of the tremendous team of instructors and mentors that we have put together.’

A former high achiever himself, today Colin is more excited about British young shearers doing well in international competitions, than when he became Scottish Champion twice in the 1980s, and represented Scotland on the international stage. Colin himself has taught many shearing stars, including former World Champion Gavin Mutch.

Colin MacGregor shearing a sheep

While shearing is at an all-time high, Colin acknowledges there have been major industry changes. “There are fewer sheep than 20 years ago, however the quality of our sheep is exceptional, and I believe our farmers are producing some of the very best in the world.

‘It disappoints me that wool in general is undervalued, so the challenge of the future is to get more people to understand and appreciate the versatility of this natural fibre, so it can attract more markets and better returns.’

Colin sees a bright future for shearers.

He daded: ‘You can earn a good living out of shearing, and at the moment the opportunities for young shearers are great as there is a shortage of in Australia and New Zealand. So, my advice would be to spread your wings and enjoy the associated travel.’

Joe Farren, chief executive officer for British Wool, said: ‘It is impossible to underestimate this. For British Wool, Colin has been instrumental in establishing a training programme that underpins shearing and effective wool production. Without the courses he has developed, wool production would be uncompetitive, and the wool we receive would be of much poorer quality.

‘This is not only true of the UK, Colin has influenced shearing across the world. Our courses are globally recognised as the benchmark for training wherever wool is sheared.

‘The quantity and quality of shearers in the UK is something British Wool is very proud of. The positive progress made during Colin’s 20 years is also demonstrated by the way competitive shearing and wool handling has developed; with UK based competitors achieving global success and recognition.’

Owned by approximately 40,000 sheep farmers in the UK, British Wool is aware of the importance of ensuring skills are maintained and improved across the generations for the future success of wool. Training and knowledge transfer is a priority, and there has been a resurgence in the number of people keen to learn or improve their shearing, blade shearing and wool handling skills.

Thanks to Colin, courses for shearers and handlers of all abilities are now available. Beginning with a ‘Blue Seal’ award and running up to the highest ‘Gold Seal’ award, the offer “the best, so they can be the best.”

On his retirement, Collin added: ‘I want to spend time at home in Lochearnhead getting to know my farm again. Getting it into shape is something I have not had time to do for the last 20 years!’