The Mitchell family from Haughs of Ballinshoe ,Forfar have “put Scotland on the world ploughing map” according to Scottish Ploughing Championships chairman Rab Birrell.
He was speaking to a gathering held at Finavon Hotel last week with over 80 ploughing enthusiasts and guests there to honour Andrew Mitchell snr and his son Andrew jnr.
Between them they have amassed no fewer than six world championships and six reserve championships in recent years as well as a host of placings,
Only three weeks ago at the latest world match near Bordeaux in France Andrew snr secured the reversible ploughing championship with Andrew jnr collecting the conventional reserve championship.
Frustratingly only two points separated Andrew jnr from the winner, Irishman Eamon Tracey thus preventing a unique family double. Even then it is not the closest they have been to a clean sweep.In 2012 only a one point differential spoiled their double.
Paying tribute to their unique contribution and that of wife and mother Joyce as team administrator and sometime coach, Mr Birrell said: “The Mitchell family have travelled the world but not like normal tourists -when they pack it is not just suitcases they need but also a 40 foot container for their tractors and ploughs and all the equipment they need. Once they arrive in a country they are far too busy setting up and practicing do much sightseeing.”
Over the years they have consistently used Ford or New Holland tractors and Dowdeswell ploughs. Andrew snr works with the Pattullo family at Linross and Andrew jnr is a tractor specialist with Agricar in Forfar.