Hundreds of golden retrievers gathered at the Highland ancestral home of the breed today.
Stepping in the paw prints of the very first golden retriever puppies, the five-yearly meet-up of the breed took place at Guisachan House in Glen Affric.
Four puppies, born to a now-extinct Tweed water spaniel, started the breed 155 years ago.
They were bred by aristocrat Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, who wanted a gun dog suited to Scottish Highland terrain.
Golden retriever breed started in the Highlands
A series of events, including talks, workshops, demonstrations and a late-night procession, have taken place this week at the site near Tomich, south of Inverness.
A memorial to the breed is in nearby Beauly.
Carol Henry, secretary of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, said the aim of the gathering was to keep alive knowledge of the breed.
She said established breeders were mindful of protecting the dogs’ qualities and temperament.
Dogs from more than 12 countries including Canada, the US, New Zealand, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia and Estonia are at Guisachan.
The gatherings have taken place every five years and dates have fallen on milestone anniversaries, including the 150th in 2018.
‘This is such an amazing experience’
Scores of attendees braved the heavy rain to enjoy an afternoon of light-hearted entertainment on the grounds of the Guisachan House.
Dog owners and their beloved four-legged friends dashed for cover below the tree line as others embraced the miserable weather conditions head-on.
Organisers hosted a scurry for the dogs in the main staging area followed by a haggis toss and several tug-of-war battles.
Despite the miserable weather, spirits remained high, with people travelling from far and wide to enjoy the day’s festivities.
Among the crowds of spectators was Laurell Ellis Kling from Florida.
The 73-year-old is one of the top breeders of golden retrievers in the USA, having started back in the 1960’s.
Joined by her three grandchildren, her daughter Gretchen Kling Carlson and her daughter-in-law Jennifer Kling Kattmann, she was delighted her dream of attending the event had finally become a reality.
She said: “I’ve enjoyed the trip immensely. I have over 100 champions and eight best-in-show dogs.”
Her daughter Mrs Carlson added: “She’s 73 and she really wanted to come to this so she asked if I would bring her.
“This is such an amazing experience. I am glad we all came. I have goosebumps.”
Mike Gilbertson, 52, also travelled from across the pond to attend the event for a second time.
Joining his uncle, he celebrated the history of the breed as his dog Bruno awaits his return home to Chicago.
He said: “It’s like heaven. Even if you can’t have your own dog, it’s the next best thing to be here.
“For dog lovers, it’s the best. I wish they could do it every year.”
Sue and Bill Hush, from Cambridge, brought their dogs Astra and Ava to the five-yearly event, before meeting up with Ava’s sister Rosie.
It’s the second time the couple have attended the event.
Mr Hush said the gathering was a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow group members.
He said: “We’ve had golden retrievers longer than we have had children and our eldest son is 44.
“They are just fun around the house. We counted it up and we have had about 20 dogs.
“The nice thing about this event is, because we have been in the group for so long, you are bumping into people that you haven’t seen for years.”
Dog owners travel from Aberdeenshire to attend signature event
Beryl Liggins, 73, originally from Huntly, is no stranger to the event, attended on three separate occasions.
She’s been a proud owner of the breed for more than four decades.
Speaking at the event, she said: “It’s our third time being here but it’s my daughter and her partner’s first time, so we brought them for the experience. It’s been super.
“I have had goldens for 40-odd years. I love their character.”
Glen and Donna Campbell, from Findochty near Buckie, brought along their nine-year-old dog Colby to see what the event was all about.
Enjoying the event for the first time, Mr Campbell, 47, said he was amazed to see so many people come together for the same cause in such a remote part of the world.
He said: “I think is amazing that so many people have turned up to such a remote location.
“I think golden retrievers are one of the best-natured dogs in the world. They are fantastic around people and kids. We live by the sea and they are mad about water generally. Colby’s never out of the harbour. He lives his best life every day.”
Who started the breed?
The golden retriever was developed by super rich brewery magnate and banker, Lord Tweedmouth, Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, at his Highland estate, Guisachan in Strathglass.
Much interested in hunting and sporting dogs, he established the breed of golden retriever in 1868 by breeding Nous, a wavy-coated retriever, to a Tweed water spaniel named Belle.
This created the foundation litter of golden retriever puppies, three yellow wavy-coated puppies called Crocus, Cowslip and Primrose.
In 1913, the golden retriever was officially recognised by The Kennel Club.
The house had fallen into ruin by the 1960s.
