Directors
The following people have been elected to represent NFU Scotland. Members can obtain contact details for all members of NFU Scotland's Board of Directors by phoning 0131 472 4000.
President of NFU Scotland
Andrew Connon
Andrew Connon (President) Andrew farms in partnership near Ellon in Aberdeenshire on 370 acres where the main enterprises involve finishing cattle, breeding and finishing sheep, and spring barley. He is married to, and ably assisted by, Pauline, whilst son Andrew and daughter Sarah in addition to helping at home, work on neighbouring farms. He is a long-standing member of NFU Scotland New Deer Branch and a former Branch Chair. He represented the North East Regional Board for several years, elected Vice-Chair (2017) and Chair (2020). In February 2021, Andrew was elected NFU Scotland Vice-President. He was re-elected in February 2023 and was unchallenged in February 2024.
Vice-Presidents of NFU Scotland
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Duncan Macalister
Duncan Macalister (Vice President) Duncan farms a 2000-acre mixed LFA livestock coastal farm in Glenbarr on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula. He is supported by his wife, Fiona, their four children Eilidh, Neil, Cameron and Robbie and their grandson, Finlay. The family farm 160 native cross suckler cows and 600 Lleyn cross breeding ewes. The farm has a self-contained flock and herd, buying only bulls and tups. Ninety per cent of the stock is sold deadweight, with lambs fattened on brassicas and cattle finished on silage and barley. They grow 125 acres of barley for their own consumption. The farm has a 7.5-megawatt Community Wind Farm as well as 600 acres of forestry. Duncan is the former QMS Kintyre Monitor Farmer. Within NFUS he has served two years on the Livestock Committee, eight years as Kintyre Branch chair and for the last five years as Argyll and the Isles Regional Chair with a place on the NFUS Board.
In 2025/26, Duncan will sit on NFU Scotland’s Climate, Land and Business committees: Less Favoured Areas, Legal and Technical, Environment and Land Use, Next Generation and Crofting, Highlands and Islands.
Robert Neill
Robert Neill (Vice President) Robert is a tenant farmer on Lothian Estate in the Scottish Borders and farms with his wife, Jacqueline, and two sons Andrew and Harry. Upper Nisbet Farm along with the neighbouring farms of Ploughlands and Ormiston Mains, covers an area of 1,700 acres growing 1,000 acres of cereals. They also run 350 suckler cows and are finishing all progeny on home-grown forage and cereals. He has experience working with several organisations including Chair of the South of Scotland and Border Valuers’ Association; Chair of the Borders Crop and Grassland Competition; Board member of RHET Scottish Borders Countryside Initiative; Chair of the Kelso & St Boswells branch of NFU Scotland. He is in his second term representing the Lothians and Borders on the NFU Scotland National Livestock Committee and is Vice-Chair of the Lothian and Borders Region of NFU Scotland.
In 2025/26, Robert will sit on NFU Scotland’s Crops, Horticulture, Pigs, Poultry, Livestock, Milk and Potatoes committee.
For a more detailed breakdown of policy responsibilities for NFU Scotland’s Presidential team, please click here
Other Directors of NFU Scotland
Treasurer – Rupert Shaw, Gledpark, Borgue
Regional Board Chairs
Argyll & The Islands – Sybil Macpherson, Brackley Farm, Dalmally, Argyll
Ayrshire – John Kerr, Woodhead Farm, Newmilns, Ayrshire
Dumfries & Galloway – Stewart Wyllie, Hannah Farm, Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfriesshire
East Central – Robert Bell, Levenview, Westhall Farm, Milnathort, Kinross
Forth & Clyde – Mark Donald, Rhynaclach, Port of Menteith, Stirling
Highland – Mark McCallum, St. Martins Farm, Culbokie, Dingwall, Highland
Lothian & Borders – James Playfair-Hannay, Morebattle Tofts, Morebattle, Roxburghshire
North East – Kevin Gilbert, Womblehill, Kintore, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
Orkney – Stevie Hay, East Howe, Birsay, Orkney
Shetland - Cecil Eunson, Griesta Farm, Griesta, Tingwall
Committee Chairs
Combinable Crops – Jack Stevenson, Brangan Farm, Boyndie, Banff, Aberdeenshire
Environment & Land Use – Peter Douglas, Ruletownhead Farm, Hawick, Roxburghshire
Legal & Technical – Gordon McKilligan, Headtown of Ord, Cornhill, Banff
Less Favoured Areas – Peter Kennedy, Kilbridemore, Glendaruel, Argyll
Livestock – Hugh Fraser, Kinchyle Farm, Scaniport, Inverness
Milk – Bruce Mackie, Middleton Farm, Middleton of Rora, Longside, Peterhead
Poultry – Robert Thompson, TPak Ltd, Orchardbank Business Park, Orchardbank Industrial Estate, Forfar
Pigs - Jamie Wyllie, Ruchlaw Mains, Stenton, Dunbar
Specialist Crops – Angela Porchez, Angus Growers Ltd, Sir William Smith Road, Kirkton Industrial Estate, Arbroath, Angus
Next Generation - Ben McClymont, The Garden Cottage, Saughland Farm, Pathhead, Midlothian