Orkney County Show confirmed its long-held reputation for quality stock with an outstanding show of beef cattle – the best to be seen anywhere in the country – at last weekend’s show in Bignold Park, Kirkwall.
After three successive years when rain has marred the event, the sun broke through a cloudy sky to provide ideal show weather, with only the occasional light shower alternating with the frequent glimpses of sunshine.
An excellent attendance provided welcome respite for the hard-working committee of the Orkney Agricultural Society after two years of financial losses due to adverse weather and a considerable investment in weather-proofing the showfield, including £15,000 on a temporary walk-way.
“We had a great show of stock and we were lucky with the weather,” said show president, Angus Harcus. 
“The good attendance should help replenish the coffers after the last two years.”
The show of stock drew warm praise from the judges in all the sections.
“The turnout of stock was impressive and as high as you will see anywhere,” said Aberdeen-Angus judge, Graeme Massie, Blelack, Dinnet, who spoke on behalf of all the judges at the show dinner.
And it was the Aberdeen-Angus champion which carried off the coveted inter-breed championship for the Davidson family – Stuart and son, Colin, and grandson, John – who paraded both the breed champion and reserve.
Their winner was a much-fancied three-year-old home-bred cow, Skaill Estella P117, by the 7000gns Blelack Blackrod, which was champion at the show last year and inter-breed champion at the West Mainland Show two days previous.
It was also a successful day for the Baillie family, of Sebay, Tankerness, who stood reserve for the inter-breed championship with their champion in the black or blue cross cattle section. 
This was with a November-born Limousin cross steer calf by Pyke Triumph, which was cross cattle champion at the East Mainland Show last week and is entered for Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ Spectacular show and sale of weaned calves at the end of the month.
Stepping up from the reserve sheep championship at the West Mainland, Alan Smith, Upper Cornquoy, Holm, headed up a large entry of North Country Cheviot sheep and went on to take the inter-breed championship with his three-crop home-bred ewe by Durran Norseman, from his 120-strong flock.
Competition was also keen in the well-filled Texel classes where a two-crop Milnbank-bred ewe by the 40,000gns Glenside Razzle Dazzle, took top honours for LS Flett and Co, Nistaben, Harray, and stepped up to stand reserve for the inter-breed sheep championship.
Supreme horse was the Clydesdale leader, a yeld mare from Ian Smith, Holburn, Holm Branch Road, Kirkwall. His show stopper, Downhill Snowflake, was paraded by his son, Kevin Smith.
Taking the blue and white sash was the light-legged champion, Gemini, which was first in the 15.2 hands and under ridden class for Jill Rendall, Wideford Villa, St Ola.