The standard of Highland Cattle entered for the breed’s annual show in Oban yesterday was praised by the judge.
Tom Thomson, of Woodneuk, Barrhead, Glasgow, said: “There’s a lot of good-quality animals here. There are very few poor ones. Most of them walked well too.
“The females had nice feminine heads. The bulls were muscly and masculine. Even better was to see so many young people showing today.”
Mr Thomson, who runs 250 Highlanders, said he was also delighted with his champions.
Bull supreme was Eoin Ruadh 2nd of Glengorm from newly elected Highland Cattle Society president Tom Nelson, of Glengorm, Mull. The April 2012 son of Eoin Mhor 2nd of Miungairigh and Ailson 1st of Glengorm was on his first show outing. His half brother is a previous Oban two-year-old champion.
Reserve was Allt Ruadh of Crannich, a March 2011 son of Ruairidh of Hyndford and Agnes A’Ghmor 3rd of Wellburn, from Alastair Fitzsimon, of Tregallon, Lochfoot, Dumfries. He was male champion at the Royal Highland and reserve breed leader at Great Yorkshire.
Collecting their 14th female championship in 33 years and their third in a row was Sir William Lithgow and Son, of Ormsary, Lochgilphead. Out for them was Susan 13th of Ormsary, a March 2010 daughter of Oskar of Hyndford and Susan 5th of Ormsary. She is in-calf to Padruaig Dubh of Gilden Vale and is due at the end of April.
It was the second time Oskar has sired an Oban champion for Ormsary.
Reserve was Diorbhail 2nd of Knockendon, an April 2011 daughter of James Beusach of An Sidhean and out of Diorbhail of Oliver, from Ronald and Frances Fergie, of Knockendon, Dalry.
Results
Males
Best two-year-old: Glengorm Estate with Eoin Ruadh 2nd of Glengorm. Reserve – R. and F. Fergie with Nelson of Knockendon.
Females
Senior: Sir W. Lithgow with Susan 13th of Ormsary. Reserve – D.J. MacGillivray, of Pennygown, Aros, Mull, with Ellit 22nd of Pennygown.
Three-year-old: R. and F. Fergie with Diorbhail 2nd of Knockendon. Reserve – Andrew and Helen Kirkpatrick, of Strathmore, Glengarnock, with Fiosaiche of Glengarnock.
Two-year-old: Suzanne Hill, of Newton House, Wenlock, Shropshire, with Ellit Dubh Vallay 1st of Walton. Reserve – Killochries Fold, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshrire, with Jarc Ola Odhar Eilean of Killochries.
Yearling: Queenie Strickland, of Cladich, Dalmally, with Cassie Buidhe 4th of Cladich. Reserve – A. and H. Kirkpatrick with Claggorm 35th of Glengarnock.
Pair: R. and F. Fergie with Hazel 9th of Knockendon and Lizzie 8th of Knockendon.