By Sine Robertson

Neil Gillon’s Shweep’s kept in contact with his sheep, controlled them over difficult terrain and earned a long lead over the field at Barr hill trial.

The fit Blackface ewes ran well on a big, 700 yard course which started on the level, then rose up on a gentle rolling slope. Dogs and handlers had to tread a fine line, seeing the ewes run under pressure, but take advantage of any laxity in the dogs with resistance.

Rashes growing before the fetch gate tended to lead the sheep astray and the majority went to the left of the gate, but the short drive held no bogeys.

Shweep (N Gillon’s Bhoy, S McCrindle’s Peg) ran over a big, open expanse, but it took repeated redirection to take him to his sheep. Despite that, he lifted cleanly and although the line zig zagged a little on the fetch, Shweep kept the ewes with him, put them through the gate and controlled them well on the drive. A good pen and a clean shed completed the winning run.

Bobby Middleton’s Will (C Scott’s Nap, R Middleton’s Jess) worked very impressively outbye, attracting the judge’s admiration. On the fetch, though, the ewes found the track that avoided the gate and made a hole in the work.

The drive went well, but Will had to stop a little break before he penned successfully and a slightly hesitant shed completed the run. His clean outrun and lift gave him second place, ahead of third, although level on points.

A good finish put Mosse Magnusson’s Kemi Sally ahead at Tigh na Blair nursery.

The Blackface ewes lifted readily at the top of the flat field, but they were not keen to turn round the handler or to go through the chute.

Sally (A Lehtio’s Kemi Rhys, DK Evans’ Meg) worked steadily over the course, but set herself apart when she put the sheep through the chute, where other young dogs struggled, and finished the winning run with a clean shed.

Good work outbye gave Brian Strachan’s Sam a narrow lead at Inverroy.

A substantial ditch crossed the course diagonally and when dogs had crossed it on the right hand outrun, the ground rose steeply before them.

Brian’s Sam (D MacDonald’s Dave, B Strachan’s Bonnie) started out well, but perceiving a distraction, Brian cast him out again. The lift was not smooth, and despite wavers on the line, Sam got his fetch gates. The ewes made for the left as they turned round Brian, but a flank sent them to the right. The cross drive was good, but the turn out of the gate was a little wide. A clean pen and a good shed set the seal on the winning run.

When John MacKillop’s Straid Sam (J McKillop’s Joe, D Young’s Straid Twix) had crossed the ditch, he was ready to head for the sheep, but John turned him onto the correct outrun and he lifted cleanly. The fetch went well, with minor wavers, and again the ewes tried to bolt round John’s feet. Sam drove them away and across without much trouble. A clean pen followed, but John missed an opportunity to shed and it took time to create another.

LEADING awards

Hamilton Hall (Judge: J Mitchell, Broughton) Nursery – 22 ran – 1, I Fleming’s Kim, Douglas, 94; 2, RB Henderson’s Lad, Heriot, 90; 3, GC Gardner’s Nan, Lesmahagow, 88. Novice -1, K Blackwood’s Jill, Abington, 74; 2, K Aitchison’s , Mossdale, Beth, 71; 3, D Coulthard, Pathhead, Mick, 65.

Tigh na Blair (Judge: J MacDougall, Milton of Buchanan) Open – 55 ran – 1, AD Carnegie’s Groesfaen Nap, Comrie, 90; 2, L Hinnekens’ Meg, Auchterarder, 90; 3, M Magnusson’s Sally, Mid Derry, 86.

Barr (Judge: M McTeir, Sanquhar) Open – 30 ran –1, N Gillon’s Shweep, Dailly, 91/110; 2, R Middleton’s Will, Neilston, 82 Outbye; 3, N Gillon’s Bhoy, Dailly, 82. Confined -1, N Gillon’s Kinloch Rheed, Dailly.

Tigh na Blair (Judge: S Martin, Cashlie) Nursery – 32 ran – 1, M Magnusson’s Sally, Mid Derry, 82; 2, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 75 Outbye; 3, D Galbraith’s Craig, Comrie, 75. Novice -1, K Craig’s Edith, Tulliemet, 74.

Inverroy (Judge: R MacPherson, Grantown on Spey) Invitation – 23 ran –1, B Strachan’s Sam, Roybridge, 82; 2, J MacKillop’s Straid Sam, Fort Augustus, 80; 3, J MacLachlan’s Ben, Spean Bridge,79.

Northumberland League – Bellingham (Judge: M Elliott, Lazonby,) Nursery – 23 ran – 1, K Preston’s Scruff, Cathpair,79; 2, P Telfer’s Telf Jill, Haydon Bridge, 77; 3, D Henderson’s Storm, Allendale, 75. Novice – C Smith’s Rob, Northumberland; New handler – 9 ran – 1, S Pearson’s Hettie, Northumberland.