It was a sad day for all concerned when the McAlister family, who have been land holders on the Isle of Bute dating back as far as 1506, dispersed their show winning Brughag Ayrshire herd, at Carlisle.

The only farmers in the British Isles to have won National Dairy Shows in the past three centuries, this event was staged due to a change in farm policy. It did, nevertheless, attract a buoyant demand with no fewer than 14 animals selling for £2000 or more with the milking heifer average cashing in at £2162.

Dearest at 6200gns was Bruchag HP Bloomer, a 56% Ayrshire by Brieryside High Profile bred from a previous home-bred Bloomer, by Bankend Brown Bomber. This a freshly calved heifer was purchased by R Danforth, Walton Lodge Farm, North Yorkshire.

The same buyer also went to 3200gns for her maternal sister, Bruchag Bloomer 3, which stood reserve champion at last year's Rothesay Show. This Poos Stadel Classic five-year-old, sold due in September to Bruchag Starman.

Second top price was 5000gns paid by Gilmour Lawrie, Sandyford, Monkton, Ayr, for the 75% Ayrshire, Bruchag BR Jewel Queen, a similarly aged cow in milk by Barr Regent, which sold due in October again to Starman.

Also heading north, J and J Kinloch, Walton Farm, Cardross, Dumbarton, went to 3600gns for Bruchag Burdette Mara, last year's breed champion at Rothesay Show. This 69% second calved Ayrshire, is by Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette and again due sold in September to Starman.

Next in the bidding stakes, at 2800gns, Northumberland based breeders, GG Baynes and Son, Marleycote Walls, Slaley, Hexham, bought the five-year-old show cow, Bruchag Talent Jewel Queen by West Mossgiel Class Talent. Second in the heifer class at the 2015 Rothesay Show to the two times All Britain winner Bruchag Talent Evelyn, her November-born heifer calf by Bruchag Starman made 2200gns going to the Lessnessock Ayrshire herd of Adam Montgomerie, Ochiltree, Cumnock.

Top priced served heifer at 2400gns was Bruchag MM Julia, a 76% Ayrshire, by Muir Mr Magic, out of Bruchag White Julia – the reserve champion at Bute Show in 2015 and 2016. She sold due next month to Starman, to J and J Millar, Craigends, Airdrie.

Heading back to Bute on 2200gns, James Lyon, Little Kilchatton, Kingarth, bought Bruchag Dreamer Marjorie, a Nexus Dreamer-sired five-year-old which sold due to West Mossgiel Modern MR Reality, for this month.

Two heifers came under the hammer for 2100gns with Mungo Bryson, Whiteflat, Catrine, first going to that price for Bruchag Burdette Miss Ella, by Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette. This second prize heifer from the 2016 Bute Show sold due next month to Bruchag Starman.

Matching that bid, LH Batty, Eaton Close, Hatton, Derby, bought Bruchag Supreme Sheba, a 10-month-old heifer calf by Sandyford Supreme, out of Bruchag Memorial Sheba.

Averages: 53 Cows in milk, £1373.51; 11 heifers in milk, £2162.04; 20 in-calf heifers, £1050.00; 12 bulling heifers, £884.62; 36 heifer calves, £742.87

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.