ALL the livestock judges at the Highland are to be congratulated on their sartorial elegance, but none more so than Canadian Wes Gordeyko, who was asked to officiate at one of the show’s star attractions, the heavy horse turnouts.

But it was all thanks to British Airways!

Wes had jetted in from Alberta on the Wednesday, but good old BA had contrived to lose his luggage, complete with smart show attire.

So, he had been advised to go to the John Lewis store in Edinburgh to get himself kitted out at the airline’s expense.

However, he didn’t find anything suitable, so he just popped next door to the upmarket Jenner’s store where he found a range of attire more to his taste!

Oh, and then there was the Shetland judge, Alastair Wilson, who was not just content to have a kilt on, but topped it with the full dinner jaiket and bow tie.

A kist-ful of fun

I HAVE to say that after all the hoo-hah about kist parties last year, it felt a lot more relaxed this year and it was great to see some of the directors, from the chairman down, making visits to the stock lines – and without any finger wagging.

Of course, The Raider and my colleagues, must do our rounds as well to dispense advice and sample the party offerings, just to make sure they are up to scratch.

From the Swalies putting on a fine repast of lamb rolls, to the Texels ensuring everyone was well 'refreshed', to the Angus boys welcoming overseas guests (some of whom were like frozen snotters after a long and late judging stint), to the always welcome little tincture down the Highland cattle lines, this show is all about people enjoying themselves.

For some, this is their annual holiday and the money they scrimp and save for the whole of the coming year, will be to do it all again.

The sight of a cow chewing the cud, while revellers scoot around on disabled buggies playing pipes and singing, is a singularly Highland one. And long may it continue.

Jimmy’s lost his ‘wad’!

LARGER than life Clydesdale exhibitor, Jimmy Steel, from East Kilbride, is renowned for the large wad of ‘tenners’ he carries in his inside pocket.

So he was a bit put out to discover that he had lost them at the Highland. However, he was not half as put out as the poor soul who thought they had found a large stash of cash.

Jim’s ‘wad’ is what he uses to kid folk on – it consists of two photocopies bookending a handful of paper hankies and wrapped in cellophane!

However, this didn’t stop the prankster sending up a large flute of champagne to Clydesdale supreme exhibitor, Captain Jim Anderson, in the Strathmore Bar on Friday.

A nice gesture thought some, until it was discovered that the whole bottle had been added to the good captain’s tab. But then, that would have been but a wee stanza in Captain Jim's final bill ... which, a little bird added, got into five figures!

Nae luck award!

THE nae luck award this week goes to Leona and Maria McAlister, from Kerrytonlia, on Bute.

Knowing fine that she would be press-ganged in to delivering husband James to the Highland Show, Leona booked a flight to London for her and daughter Maria, to attend the tennis finals at Queen’s Club.

In particular, they were going to cheer on Andy Murray, but he spoiled the party earlier in the week by getting knocked out in the first round. Strawberries and cream in London ... or being a chauffeur in Edinburgh? – I think she chose well.