A TREMENDOUS run from Neil McVicar’s Mist was put in jeopardy at the pen, but good work prevailed and Mist earned first place at Buchanan trial at Balmaha.

The Blackface hoggs were very tricky to handle, particularly at the far end of the slightly downhill sloping field where the terrain reduced the course to a tight corner. They were unwilling to be kept on line on the course or to enter the pen.

Mist (R Hutchinson’s Sweep, IM Brownlie’s Mo) ran out and lifted flawlessly and fetched and drove very well. At the pen, one awkward customer made life difficult, but Mist secured the packet, although at the shed, her over eagerness detracted a little from the work which was not as smooth as it might have been, but when the shed was successfully achieved, she took the lead with a comfortable margin.

John Hastie’s Lethan’s Bear (John Hastie’s Cap and Rosie) too, ran out and lifted cleanly, but Bear had more difficulty keeping the sheep on line on the course and let them make a wide turn out of the cross drive gate. Again, Bear had to work to pen her packet and a clean shed completed the run in second place.

Flighty Cheviot gimmers at Aultguish were light to handle on a big, steeply rising course, unwilling to turn round the handler at the end of the fetch and difficult to pen. The 400-yard outrun challenged some dogs, with the sheep hard to see uphill.

Peter Martin’s Jill (R Dalziel’s Joe, N McVicar’s Nikki) responded to his whistle, reached her sheep at the top of the course and lifted cleanly. The fetch went well and the drive was very good, with only minor wavers to fault the work on the course. The pen took a little work to achieve and although time ran out before the shed was made, good work already achieved on an incomplete run gave Peter and Jill first place.

Ewen Mackinnon’s Midge (I MacKay’s Sunnyview Bob, F Matheson’s Jan) needed repeated encouragement to reach her packet, but she eventually found them and lifted a little offline, which started the fetch on the wrong footing. At the other end of the fetch, as Midge turned the sheep round Ewen to begin the drive away, the gimmers split.

Once regrouped, they went successfully round the drive and through the gates. The pen took a little time to achieve, and at the shed, Midge split the sheep, but turned on to the rejected pair, before Ewen directed her on to the correct target and took second place.

Nathan Boyne’s Mirk (A Jardine’s Corriedhu Spot and Cailleag) had difficulties on his outrun, but once there, he lifted cleanly. The gimmers went off-line after they passed through the fetch gate, but the drive went well, with just minor wavers of the line.

Mirk worked well at the pen and a very good shed completed the run, although Nathan intervened rather more than the ideal trialling standard. Level points with Midge, difficulties on the outrun put Mirk into third place.

A clean start and a good, steady run gave Mosse Magnusson’s Murphy the lead at Kilberry.

The Mule gimmers were light to handle in the morning on a big, open, rising course, but improved on their second circuit. The pen proved the challenge of the day, and some good runs came adrift there.

Murphy (DK Evans’ Moss and British Evans’ Snip) ran out and lifted cleanly, but had minor wavers on the fetch. The drive went very well and a good pen and shed set the seal on the winning run.

John Casey’s Dan (T Lawrenson’s Clyde, S Dungworth’s Tess) ran out well and lifted cleanly. The fetch and drive went well with minor wavers, but difficulties arose at the pen, with sheep breaking. Once the packet was secured, a clean shed completed the run in second place.

Chloe Cropper’s Fly (A Lyttle’s Spot, IB Jones’ Meg) too, started well, but her lift was slightly off-line, and although she ultimately matched Dan’s points, her lift put her into third place. The fetch was very good and the drive went well, but there was a break before the sheep were penned. A good shed completed the run.

LEADING awards

Buchanan, Balmaha (Judge: K Donald, Seamill) Open – 53 ran – 1, N McVicar’s Mist, Benmore, 93; 2, J Hastie’s Lethans Bear, Saline, 90; 3, M Magnusson’s Murphy, Mid Derry, 89; 4, L Magnusson’s Kate, Mid Derry, 87; 5, JR Welsh’s Tanhill Sam, Dalrymple, 86 Outbye; 6, N Campbell’s Cass, Kinross, 86 Outbye; 7, M Magnusson’s Nap, Mid Derry, 86; 8, D Robertson’s Joe, Luss, 84;

South Knapdale, Kilberry (Judge: D Robertson, Langholm) Open – 45 ran –1, M Magnusson’s Murphy, Mid Derry, 93; 2, J Casey’s Dan, Largie, 90 Outbye; 3, C Cropper’s Fly, Drimsynie, 90; 4, J MacKillop’s Joe, Fort Augustus, 88; 5, C Toner’s Ally, Drimsynie, 86 Outbye; 6, C Davidson’s Cap, Sandbank, 86; 7, AD Carnegie’s Linburn Rook, Comrie, 85; 8, M Magnusson’s Nap, Mid Derry, 83 Outbye; 9, N McVicar’s Mist, Benmore, 83; 10, J Casey’s Shep, Largie, 81;

Aultguish, Strathvaich (Judge: M MacKay, Durness ) Open - 39 ran – 1, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 81; 2, EC MacKinnon’s Midge, Lochcarron, 79 Outbye; 3, N Boyne’s Mirk, Glenlochay, 79; 4, S Martin’s Lexie, Cashlie, 69 Outbye; 5, P Martin’s Jen, Glenlyon, 69; 6, J Sutherland’s Deni, Durness, 66.