A landmark event for both the Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus breeds is set to be held on Saturday, November 18, at Borderway Mart for the dispersal of the famous Gretnahouse herds.

Held by Harrison and Hetherington, the sale will be live-streamed and open to bidding from far beyond the ring through MartEye.

The Scottish Farmer: Aberdeen-Angus will be on offerAberdeen-Angus will be on offer

For many in the pedigree livestock world, this sale will be a tribute to and celebration of, the life and achievements of the late Alasdair Houston, who took over the Gretnahouse herd in 1985 and in 2011 established the Aberdeen-Angus herd.

Charolais dispersal will commence at 10.30 am to include one stock bull, Lochend Nighthawk; 30 spring calving cows and calves; nine autumn calved cows with 10 calves at foot; nine in-calf heifers; two autumn in-calf heifers; 11 spring 2022-born heifers; and 11 autumn 2022-born heifers.

The Scottish Farmer: The Gretnahouse dispersal will be staged on 18th November The Gretnahouse dispersal will be staged on 18th November

Between the two sales Prosecco and ice cream will be served, and the Angus herd sale will follow with 16 spring calving cows and 15 calves; six autumn calved cows with six calves and one served autumn dry cow; one in-calf heifer; six spring 2022 heifers; two autumn 2022 heifers; one spring 2023 heifer; and one recipient cow with embryo.

Joe Speak, who has been responsible for the herd since Alasdair’s death in June 2021, said that dual commitment is the key to the Gretnahouse reputation. “It has been a privilege and an honour to pick up the mantle from Alasdair and to be able to carry on the years of hard work which have been so carefully invested into the cattle. I will always remember his advice regarding the importance of data-driven knowledge alongside pedigree and the stockman’s eye. Those principals have been maintained during my time at Gretna House.”

Harrison and Hetherington managing director, Scott Donaldson, paid tribute to the Gretnahouse herds and to Alasdair Houston: “Alasdair was highly respected for his knowledge and his integrity, and his passion for excellence in everything he did, from business to pedigree cattle breeding. It is a great privilege for us to conduct the sale of the Charolais and Angus herds he built, albeit there is of course sadness that Alasdair will not be there at Borderway to encourage buyers as he was so often in the past.

“This is a unique sale both in the quality of the stock and in the story behind them, and I am absolutely confident that buyers will need no encouragement at all to make this sale a fitting memorial to an exceptional man.”