The champion at a pre-sale show of Blackface females at Lanark Agricultural Centre, went on to top the trade when selling for 5800gns.

Judge, John Macpherson, Balliemeanoch, found his supreme in a gimmer from John Murray, Crossflatt, Muirkirk, which sold to Robert and Iain Shaw, Acharonich, Ardfern, Lochgilphead. Backed by home-bred genetics on both sides, her sire is McCoy Look Alike while the dam is by Spectre. Second in her class at Muirkirk Show, she sold carrying a single lamb to Titan, a home-bred son of the £160,000 Dyke retained for breeding last year.

Crossflatt genetics were also behind the second top priced lot at 5000gns from Ewen Macmillan, Lurg, Fintry. Another gimmer, she is sired by Highlander, a £14,000 Crossflatt, out of a ewe by a £3200 Midlock, and sold scanned for a single lamb to the £23,000 Dalchirla shearling, to John Harkin.

Top price for Thomas Muirhead, Orchilmore, Comrie, was 3400gns paid for a one-crop ewe by a £6000 Auldhouseburn that sold carrying a single lamb to the £32,000 Auldhouseburn. The buyers were Messrs Mcalister.

Robert and Innes McKay, Oban, forked out 3200gns for a gimmer from the Wight's Grains flock from Midlock, Crawford. She is by a £30,000 Midlock that was sired by a £200,000 Dalchirla and changed hands due with triplet lambs to a £30,000 Crossflatt.

The sale saw an 83% with 39 selling to average £1681.35, of which 14 ewes levelled at £1736.25 and 24 gimmers cashed in at £1675.63.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer on Friday, March 1

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington