Perfect day for Easter Ross and Moray ploughing matches

Experts go head-to-head for all the major trophies

By Keith Findlay

November 11 2024, 5:00 pm

James Tait in action in the Easter Ross ploughing match. Image: Rob Bews

Farming skills were on show for all to see at ploughing matches in Easter Ross and Moray over the weekend.

This year’s Easter Ross match took place at Mounteagle Farm, Fearn, near Tain, by permission of Douglas and Hilarie Russell.

One onlooker, Ron Bews, said getting a straight start proved tricky for the ploughmen as the early morning mist made it difficult to set out their guide poles in line.

‘Perfect conditions’

He added: “By mid-morning the weather cleared, giving perfect conditions.

“Many of the competitors attending the match had been ploughing at the Scottish Championship and events in Caithness over the last two weeks, resulting in a very high standard of ploughing in all classes.”

Ploughing his way to the overall championship was James Tait, of Thurso, a regular competitor at events around Caithness.

His top honour came after he beat stiff competition to win the overall prize for reversible ploughing.

Nigg ploughman Alex Campbell scoops top local award at last

Alex Campbell, of Nigg, and Thurso’s Michael Mackay were champions overall in the conventional and vintage champions respectively

Michael was also reserve champion for the whole ploughing match.

Meanwhile, Alex was thrilled to scoop the local champion’s trophy after many years of trying.

Conventional and local champion Alex Campbell. Image: Rob Bewes

Winners in the various competition sections included Stuart Wilson, of Fearn, who rode his late dad’s tractor to success in the classic reversible category.

Ploughing match secretary Anne Wood said the misty start to the day gave way to glorious autumn weather.

“It all went well and there were no major hiccups,” she added.

Misty morning scence. — The ploughing match got off to a misty start. Image: Rob Bews

Meanwhile, Moray Ploughing Match Society held its annual match on land owned by Douglas White at Cassieford Farm, Forres.

A field of 33 ploughmen competed in five classes throughout the day, with judging taking into account all aspects of each competing rig.

The society’s Ivan Nicol said: “The day was a great success, with the weather the best for some years.

“Mark Skea from Inverurie made the long run very worthwhile, walking away with overall rig.”

Easter Ross results

Reversible two-furrow: 1 James Tait, 2 Gavin Robertson 3 John Fraser
Reversible three, four and five-furrow: 1 Andrew Chisholm Jr 2 Derek Austin 3 Campbell Morrison
Conventional 1 Alex Campbell 2 Donald Mackay 3 Keith Marshall
Classic conventional: 1 Iain Sinclair 2 Hugh Fraser 3 Donald Cameron
Classic reversible: 1 Stuart Wilson 2 Colin Campbell 3 Paul Beattie
Vintage mounted: 1 Gerald MacLeod 2 Robbie Clark 3 David MacDonald
Vintage Trailed – 1 Michael Mackay 2 John Matheson 3 George Williamson
Juniors, under 21: 1 Fraser Ross 2 Jack MacDonald 3 Max Gordon
Demonstrators: 1 Ravenhill
Overall champion: James Tait
Reserve overall champion: Michael Mackay
Conventional champion: Alex Campbell
Reserve conventional champion: Ian Sinclair
Reversible champion: James Tait
Reserve reversible champion: Andrew Chisholm Jnr
Overall vintage champion: Michael Mackay
Best novice: Jack MacDonald
Overall local champion: Alex Campbell