SHEPHERD Murray Craig had only intended to stay on the Cumbrian fell farm for two months shearing sheep.

But when the farmer offered him a full-time job, Murray decided to stay... and now three-and-a-half years later the 20-year-old’s hard work and dedication has been rewarded after finding himself on the shortlist, along with three other hopefuls, for Farm Worker of the Year in the British Farming Awards.

Murray, who looks after a flock of Swaledales and Cheviots, at Swindale Foot Farm, north of Shap, was nominated and praised for his hard work and dedication by farm owners, Matty and Dani Blair, of Blair Farming.

Having been with them for four years he has assumed more responsibility allowing the owners to go ahead and expand to Thrimby Hall and Thrimby Grange.

He is in charge of looking after two flocks and shepherds throughout. He is also participating in a share farming model with the owners which is allowing him to build his flock alongside the management of theirs.

British Farming Award judges described Murray as ‘a very committed and astute farm worker’.

Murray was brought up on his parents’ sheep farm at Biggar, and has followed in his dad’s footsteps as a champion winning sheep shearer.

He moved to Swindale Foot farm when he got a job helping to shear the 800-strong flock. “I love it up here. We have now added ten Belted Galloways, so I now help look after those as well,” said Murray.

There are nine-and-half-thousand acres to look after and Murray uses a quad and his dogs in his shepherding job. “I use the quad in the fields, but need the dogs for the high fells, I couldn’t do my job up here without them.

“Matty is a great boss to work for. He nominated me for the awards and didn’t tell me. The first I knew about it I got a telephone call. I was a bit embarrassed to be truthful, but I was pleased, it is good for everyone.”

Murray has won many shearing competitions all over Scotland’s show circuit, and represented Scotland three or four times, as well as the Yorkshire Show and shows over the water in Ireland. “I have sheared 250 sheep in a day, but I am always trying to get quicker.”

The young shepherd will have to wait until Wednesday, October 21, when the winners of the 2020 British Farming Awards will be revealed for the first time ever in a virtual format .