TOP quality gimmer lots sold well while others met a more selective enquiry, at the Highland Mule Breeders’ Association annual show and sale at Dingwall and Highland Mart’s sale at Dingwall.
The event, which attracted an entry of 5117 head, saw a strong ewe lambs meet a decent, steady trade.
The first prize pen of gimmers, selected by the judge, Brian Buchan, Clinterty, was consigned by Mrs Susan Johnstone, Croftdhu, and later sold to Hamish MacKellar, Craigroy, for £160. 
Mrs Johnstone was in charge of placing the ewe lambs, and awarded the top ticket to a pen from Peter Junor, Balchraggan, which was knocked down at £120 to WS Garson and Son, Huan, Sandwick. 
Top price however at £165 per head was a pen of gimmers from Mountrich, Dingwall. The ewe lamb trade peaked at £125 for a pen from Glebe of Deisher, Boat of Garten. 
Averages were back on the year for all sections when 1325 Highland Mule gimmers averaged £126.27 (-£9.98), with 3615 ewe lambs at £83.03 (-£19.54). 
Other sections saw gimmers (135) reach £125 for Beltex crosses from Dell Farm, Farr, and average £106.78 (-£15.02), while 42 ewe lambs levelled at £81.71 (-90p) and sold to £112 for Cheviot Mules from Achnabat, Dores.

FLOCK averages:

Highland Mule gimmers
Flock (No sold)    Top (£)    Avg (£)
Croftdhu (100)    160    140.35
Dalmigavie (6)    110    101.66
Nether Comisty (150)    150    124.20
Balchraggan (58)    115    101.98
Cawdor Estate (90)    110    105.44
Mountrich (189)    165    148.73
Abersky (26)    140    133.23
Balloan (103)    135    114
Milton of 
Aberarder (35)    145    145
Blackford (8)    145    145
Gorthleck Mains (24)    125    122.05
Achnabat (24)    125    120.62
Coxton (257)    160    131.59
Dell (41)    115    115
Tulloch (16)    105    103.87
Alvie Estate (53)    140    140

Highland Mule ewe lambs
Flock (No sold)    Top (£)    Avg (£)
Gorthleck Mains (252)    111    89.76
The Arr (211)    108    84.96
Dalmigavie (84)    75    74.21
Abersky (120)    110    86.25
Achnabat (132)    112    96.47
Milton of 
Aberarder (471)    122    88.42
Balchraggan (217)    120    85.15
Blackford (191)    120    96.14
Dunachton (153)    58    49.66
Cawdor Estate (294)    82     74.75
Dell Farm, Farr (60)    115    105
Viewhill (331)    125    87.76
Wester Rarichie (437)    115    71.81
Glendoe Estate (120)    90    79.87
Bochruben Farms (62)    90    82.01
Glebe of Deisher (292)    125    90.96
Tulloch (193)    90    75.98