SCOTTISH Secretary David Mundell took a break from the pressures of national politics to support one of his home town's newest visitor attractions at the weekend.
The Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP accepted an invitation to tour the Moffat Alpacas smallholding in Old Edinburgh Road.
Native to South America, the friendly animals are partly kept for their valuable soft wool fibre but are also proving a hit with visitors since the enterprise launched last year in the Upper Annandale town.
Mr Mundell was shown round by proprietor of the family venture Lynda Halley, who also keeps a variety of poultry breeds.
The smallholding, on a steep hillside on the edge of town, operates using traditional strip grazing fields.
Lynda explained that as well as offering hands-on visits with detailed alpaca and poultry information, they also accepted bookings for events such as weddings and other appearances.
Mr Mundell said: "I greatly enjoyed meeting Lynda and seeing the alpacas. They are lovely animals and it was interesting learn about their valuable fibre and to see the range of chicken breeds Lynda also keeps.
"The brisk walk to the top of the fields was also worthwhile as it offered fine views looking down on that part of Moffat."