Some of the finest livestock from across the north of Scotland descended on Muir of Ord yesterday for the 179th annual Black Isle Show.
Show secretary Rod Mackenzie said more than 200 tonnes of hard core had been brought in to deal with damp and muddy car parks, which were “really cut up” following a deluge of rain on the preview evening on Wednesday.
This, said Mr Mackenzie, had helped save the day which proved a success with visitor numbers up on last year.
In the beef section, the coveted interbreed champion title went to a Charolais bull from father and son duo John and Raymond Irvine, of Inverlochy, Tomintoul. The pair took the same title on Monday at the Turriff Show with December-2013 born bull Kilbline 1 Instigator, which was bought in Ireland last year for 7,000 euros (£5,937).
By Oscar and out of Kilbline Ursula, he was described by judge Neil Massie, of Blelack, Aboyne, as a “very big outstanding bull which was very correct on his legs”.
Instigator was also part of the champion pair and reserve groups of three yesterday, as well as part of the champion interbreed pairs at the Highland in June.
Standing reserve beef interbreed champion was the Aberdeen-Angus champion and one half of yesterday’s reserve beef pair – a three-year-old cow with calf at foot from Donald Rankin, of Kilmaluag House, Duntulm, Skye. Retties Lady Ruth N228, which is by Rawburn Elysium and out of All Lady Ruth, stood champion at the Highland and Yorkshire earlier this year.
She is stabled at Richard and Carol Rettie’s Aberdona Mains, near Alloa, and was shown with her heifer calf Kilmaluag Lady Ruth S348, by Retties JFK.
In the sheep lines the top title went to a two-shear Charollais tup from Willie and Carole Ingram, of Logie Durno, Pitcaple, Inverurie. The Ingrams bought the ram, named Rhaeadr Orlando, at Worcester for 5,000gn. He is by Warnfawr Neo and yesterday’s success follows taking the championship title at Turriff, the Highland and Angus, as well as the reserve male champion rosettes at the Royal Welsh.
Judge Willie Porter, of West Scryne, Carnoustie, then awarded his reserve rosettes to the champion from the North Country Cheviot hill type section.
The home-bred ram, which stood fourth at the Highland, was put forward by Leslie and Tina Robertson, of Inkstack Farm, Barrock, Thurso.
Lastly in the horse section the coveted native horse champion title was awarded to the Clydesdale champion from Eric and Miranda Johnstone of 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord.
They took the accolade with home-bred three-year-old mare Ord Envy, with her foal at foot.
By Dillars Scotty Boy and out of Ord Touch of Class, she was champion at Sutherland.
Judge Scott Greenhill, of Leuchars, Fife, said of his champion: “She’s a fantastic show horse, with incredible action. Her biggest asset is the way she is breeding, doing a fantastic job.”
He awarded his reserve rosettes to the Highland champion from R and K Stewart, of Stablesbrae, Durris, Banchory. They took the title with home-bred 11-year-old mar West Lodge Ashley, by Coulnacraig Highlander and out of Laura of Glentruim. She was shown with her foal at foot and is a former champion at the Highland Show.
RESULTS
CATTLE
Aberdeen-Angus: Donald Rankin, Kilmaluag House, Duntulm, Skye, with three-year-old cow Retties Lady Ruth N228, by Rawburn Elysium and out of All Lady Ruth. She is stabled at Richard and Carol Rettie’s Aberdona Mains, near Alloa. She stood champion at the Highland and Yorkshire this year, as well as champion at the Black Isle and Grantown last year. She was shown with her heifer calf Kilmaluag Lady Ruth S348, by Retties JFK. Reserve: A. and K. Rhind and Son, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss, with home-bred 22-month-old heifer Newton Struthers Jurenical, by Newton Struthers Erysium and out of Newton Struthers Junerica. She was champion at Nairn and senior champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza and Stars of the Future.
Beef Shorthorn: J. Scott and Partners, Fearn Farm, Fearn, Tain, with bull Podehole Fenman which was bought in 2014 for 10,000gn. By Chapelton Clansman, he stood pure native breed champion at Sutherland last month. Reserve: Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin, with six-year-old cow Lowther Sally, by Blelack Minstrel and out of Lowther Sally 1. She was bought as an in-calf heifer and has had five calves. She was reserve at Turriff on Monday.
Charolais: John and Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul, with December-2013 born bull Kilbline 1 Instigator, which was bought in Ireland last year for 7,000 euros (£5,936). By Oscar and out of Kilbline Ursula, he was beef interbreed champion at Turriff on Monday and male Charolais champion and part of the champion interbreed pairs at the Highland Show. Reserve: John and Raymond Irvine with home-bred six-year-old cow Ballindalloch Favour, by Lochend Apache and out of Ballindalloch Charmaine. She was shown with her bull calf Ballindalloch Mecca at foot. She stood reserve champion at Nairn and the Highland.
Limousin: Bob Mitchell, Carron Mains Farm, Aberlour, with a home-bred heifer, Carronlea Julia, by Carronlea Danny and out of Carronlea Erica. She was shown by Bob’s daughter Keely. Reserve: S. and S. Mitchell, Bencraig, Victoria Terrace, Aberlour, with home-bred nine-month-old bull Bencraig Lucky, by Haltcliffe Donny and out of Bencraig Goldie.
Scottish Simmental Club Show: Michael Barlow, Littlewood Hall Farm, Leyland, Lancashire, with three-year-old heifer with calf at foot Auroch Eve, by Auroch Ace and out of Auroch Wave. She stood champion at the Highland this year and last and was shown by John Barlow and Rhona Cameron. Reserve: Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed Farm, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, with two-year-old in-calf heifer Drumsleed Farina 14, by Clonah Buckarooney and out of Boardshead Karina 2nd. She stood champion at Fettercairn and Banchory, and reserve beef interbreed at Kirriemuir.
Commercial: J. Munro and Son, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, with home-bred 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer Bon Bon, which is by the Munro family’s imported French stock bull. This was her first major win. Reserve: Donald Morrison, Cairnnulla, Burnside, Kinlochbervie, with 16-month-old Limousin cross bullock Black Rock which was bought last September in Stirling. He was reserve supreme calf champion at the Scottish Calf Championships at Lanark and champion bullock at the Winter Fair and Royal Northern Spring Show.
Highland: MacNaughton and Lawrie, 72 Centre Street, Kelty, Fife, with home-bred two-year-old heifer Hayley 1st of Rannoch, by Connor 2nd of Lagg and out of Hayley 5th of Earn. She was champion at Braco. Reserve: Leys Castle Farm, Inverness, with two-year-old home-bred heifer Dosan 28th of Leys, by Jock of Lyntown and out of Dosan 16th of Leys. She was champion at Nairn and Fettercairn.
British Blue: J. K. Manson, Upper Northfield, Wick, with a three-year-old in-calf female, Graymar Halle, by Empire D’Ochain and out of Graymar Electra. She stood champion at Turriff, Sutherland, Caithness and Latheron. Reserve: A. and P. Munro, Caplich Farm, Alness, with 10-year-old bull Henlli Casanova, by Baron du Bois Bauloye and out of Bringlee Sandy. He stood male champion here last year and the year before.
Any other breed: Alister Mackenzie, Whitebog, Fortrose, with home-bred 16-month-old Salers bull Whitebog Kuhn, by Gentleman and out of Whitebog Candy. He was second at the Highland and third at Sutherland and Echt. Reserve: Alister Mackenzie with home-bred yearling Salers heifer Whitebog Kim, by Gentleman and out of Whitebog Hayley. She was first at the Highland and champion at Echt.
Rare and minority cattle breeds: Robert Marshall, Strathurr, Reclettich, Glenrinnes, Dufftown, with six-year-old Galloway cow Penninghame Susan, which is jointly owned with Messrs Findlay of Blackcraig. She holds the UK record for the highest priced Galloway female and was bought for 8,500gn at the Penninghame dispersal in November. She was shown with a heifer calf at foot. Reserve: Cabrich Dexters, 1 Albert Place, Maryburgh, Dingwall, with a home-bred in-calf Dexter, Cabrich Jinian 2nd, by Cabrich Barish and out of Cabrich Jinian.
Crofters’ cattle: Donald Morrison, Cairnnulla, Burnside, Kinlochbervie, with a nine-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Jakey’s girl. She was bought at the Spring Show in Carlisle. Reserve: John Smith, The Rowans, Victoria Road, Brora, with 10-month-old Charolais cross bullock Inky Dinky, which is named after Mr Smith’s son Kyle. He was bought as a calf at foot with his mother from Smallburn Farms and stood second in Nairn to the male champion, which he beat at this show.
Young Farmers’ calf competition: Stuart Pirie. Reserve – Sarah Wilson.
SHEEP
Blackface: Glenrinnes Farms Ltd, Dufftown, with a ewe by a £1,400 Lurg and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve: Glenrinnes Farms with a tup lamb brought out by shepherd Charlie MacIntyre. He is by a £3,500 Auldhouseburn and out of Blackcraig Loan. He was on his first outing.
Bluefaced Leicester: Matthew Seed and Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff, with home-bred tup Auchry G3, which stood champion here last year. He is by a Welsh-bred tup and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve: Raymond Baynes, Blackford, Croy, with a two-shear tup bred by Matthew Seed. He was bought at Kelso last September and stood champion at Nairn last weekend.
Beltex: Ross and Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly, with a shearling tup called Blackjack Atomic Weapon, by Padkin Sugar Daddy and out of an imported Belgian ewe. He was male champion at New Deer and stood second at the national show at Turriff on Monday. Reserve: Donald Douglas, Braes of Coulmore, North Kessock, Inverness, with a ewe, Beechcross Talicia. She was on her first outing and is by Kinchyle Pistol Pete and out of Beechcross Penelope.
Charollais: Willie and Carole Ingram, Logie Durno, Pitcaple, with Rhaeadr Orlando, a two-shear ram bought at Worcester for 5,000gn. Sired by Warnfawr Neo, he was champion at Turriff, the Highland and Angus, and reserve male at the Royal Welsh. Reserve: Willie and Carole Ingram with an aged ewe by Riverdale Noble which stood reserve champion at the Royal Welsh.
Texel: Douglas Webster, Lower Reiss Farm, Wick, with a gimmer on her first outing, by Knock Vantastic and out of a ewe by Campwell Rob Roy. Reserve: Willie and Carole Ingram with a shearling tup by Mullan Vivaldi. He was champion at Angus and reserve male at Turriff.
Cross sheep: Messrs Sutherland, Stainland and Sibmister Farms, Sibmister, Thurso, with a Texel cross ewe and her twin lambs. She was first at the Highland and reserve champion at Caithness and Turriff. Reserve: Messrs Sutherland, Stainland and Sibmister Farms with two Suffolk cross ewe lambs which stood first at Turriff.
Jacob: Linda McKendrick, Bankhead Farm, Peat Inn, Cupar, with a ewe lamb called Mia, by Blackbrooke Fireball and out of an Arnydie ewe. She was first at the Highland. Reserve: Adam Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly, with a ram lamb called Adamski Drifter, by Blackbrooke Dragon and out of an Edingale ewe. He was reserve champion at Fettercairn and first in his class at Angus.
North Country Cheviot: John Polson, Smerlie, Lybster, with a gimmer by Durran Rover and out of a ewe by Durran Mains. She was champion at Latheron and first at Caithness and Sutherland. Reserve: Charlie and Isobel Angus, Oldfield Farm, Thurso, with a ewe.
North Country Cheviot Hill Type: Leslie and Tina Robertson, Inkstack Farm, Barrock, Thurso, with a home-bred ram which stood fourth at the Highland. Reserve: Leslie and Tina Robertson, with a five-shear ewe by Badenloch Bulls Eye and out of a home-bred ewe which was first at Sutherland.
Shetland: Ian and Lesley Carnegie, Broomhill, Rickarton, Stonehaven, with a shearling ram called Raedykes Magnus, by Baldred’s Arnold and out of Fieldview Magnolia. Reserve: Kate Sharp, Cedar Lodge, Ewingston Farm, Humbie, with a three-crop white ewe called Ivedeen Silky, by a Greenacre tup and out of an Ivedeen ewe.
Suffolk: M. and I. Bissett, Marian, Culnaskeath, Evanton, with a home-bred three-crop ewe which stood reserve at Sutherland. Reserve: Angus Brims, Thuster Mains, Bilbster, with a gimmer on its first outing, by Thuster Superb and out of a home-bred ewe.
Zwartbles: Jim and Linda Mair, Hollies Seaview, Dunmore, Beauly, with a one-crop ewe by Hedgefield Better Look Your Best Boys and out of a home-bred ewe. She stood champion at Sutherland. Reserve: Jim and Linda Mair with a home-bred tup lamb by Hedgefield Brick Top and out of a home-bred gimmer.
Any other pure breed: Gary Morrison, Bush Farm, Keith, with a Beltex tup lamb by Bharangyhe World Record and out of Beachcross Wisteria. He was on his first outing. Reserve: Langdale, Strathnaver, Kinbrace, with a two-shear South Country Cheviot tup bought in Lockerbie last year for £2,200. He is by Stirkfield Tam’s The Man and out of a Granton ewe.
Crofters’ sheep: Gemma McIntosh, Upper Croft, Na Garn, Boat of Garten, with a one-crop Blackface ewe by a Blackcraig tup and out of the ewe which stood reserve champion at Sutherland. Reserve: Graham Johnstone, Hallcroft, Brora, with a Cheviot tup.
Young handlers: aged 8-10 – Ava Laughton; aged 11-13 – Dylan Alexander; aged 14-16 – Alistair McCarthy.
NATIVE HORSES
Clydesdale: Eric and Miranda Johnstone, 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, with home-bred three-year-old mare Ord Envy, with her foal at foot. She is by Dillars Scotty Boy and out of Ord Touch of Class. She was champion at Sutherland. Reserve: David Walker and Beverley Brown, Galcantry Farm, Cawdor, Nairn, with Kilmaclasser Bonnie Lily. The three year old mare was bought this year. She is by Cloondaff Setanta and out of Carnarff Bonnie Marie. She stood champion of champions at Nairn.
Highland: R. and K. Stewart, Stablesbrae, Durris, Banchory, with home-bred 11-year-old mar West Lodge Ashley shown with her foal at foot. By Coulnacraig Highlander and out of Laura of Glentruim, her foal is by Coulnacraig Jacobie. She is a former champion at the Highland Show. Reserve: A. and C. Munro, The Stables, Loandhu, Fearn, with three-year-old filly Wendy Rose of Strathmore, which was bought as a foal. She is by Concorde of Whitefield and out of Rose-bud of Strathmore. She won her class at Sutherland.
Shetland miniature: E. and S. Knight, Edgemoor, St Catherine’s Cross, Fearn, Tain, with home-bred eight-year-old mare Hjaltland Risa. She is by Ward of Houlland and out of Hjaltland Rona, and stood champion at Nairn. Reserve: E. and S. Knight with seven-year-old stallion Hjaltland Jarl, by Ward of Houlland and out of Hjaltland Rona.
Shetland standard: Jim and Renee Swan, Teanahaun Croft, Conon Bridge, Dingwall, with home-bred two-year-old filly Stow Chiquita, by Stow Vulcan and out of Erray Cowslip. She won overall Shetland at the Highland two years ago and was overall Shetland champion at yesterday’s show. Reserve: Donna Lochtie, 17 St Serfs Road, Tillicoultry, with 10-year-old mare Hawkdale Dixie, which was bought in 2007. She is by Rosermus of Transy and out of Hawkdale Destiny. She won reserve overall Shetland at yesterday’s show and overall at last year’s show.