Blackford Iolair takes all at Nairn

Despite a heavy shower in the morning which put gate numbers down on the year, Nairn showgoers and exhibitors were lucky to escape the worst of the weather which hit other parts of the country and saw increased entries in both the livestock section and trade stands.

Going all the way to the top for father and daughter duo Billy and Anne MacPherson, together with wife and mum Judy, and Anne's husband Raymond Baynes, was their 16-month-old Simmental bull Blackford Iolair tapped out by president guest, Peter Forbes' guests and local retired farmers George and Elizabeth McConnachie. He is a son of the 18,000gns Kilbride Farm Doubleaction, and out of the Kilbride Farm Strabane-sired daughter, Blackford Waxwing.

On just his second outing for the 25-strong cow, Iolair stood first in his class at the Royal Highland Show, as well as champion continental in the Beef Breeder championship.

Inter-breed beef judge Stuart Wood from Garson Farm, Sandwick, Orkney, said: "The Simmental bull just stood out from the other breeds and is a well-balanced bull. He's easy on the eye, walks well and is full of flesh right down to the hip."

Also forward for the coveted champion of champions title was the supreme sheep champion, a Texel gimmer from Allan Chisholm who runs 35 ewes at Wester Moy, Urray, Muir of Ord. Brought out by David Coli was a home-bred daughter of the 32,000gns Arkle Ying Yang, bred out of a 60,000gns Teiglum Tornado ewe. She was Texel champion the previous week at Sutherland and is destined for the Black Isle.

One of the most well-known Clydesdales in the country, Ord Tinkerbell from Eric and Miranda Johnstone, Muir of Ord, continued on her winning ways when she stood overall in the horse section. This two-year-old filly by Eskechraggan Ernest, is out of Ord Envy and was returning to the show ring after winning the Cawdor Cup and the Sanderson trophy at this year's Highland.

Taking the reserve honours in the beef section was the Irvine family's 18-month-old Charolais bull Anside Nightrider from Braehead, Drummuir, Keith. This Woodpark Elgin son, out of Anside Geisha, is the Irvine's only Charolais run alongside their 68-cow Limousin herd.

Six-year-old Kyle Garvill from Burn Banks Croft, Linside, Invershin, who was competing for the first ever time at a show, was runner up in the sheep section with his Poll Dorset tup lamb which was bought as a young lamb and reared by one of Kyle's own ewes.

For the second consecutive year, the Robertsons from Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, ruled supreme in the inter-herd group of three with a trio of Limousins to include the bull Moonleaze Norbert, a home-bred 11-month-old bull named Fodderletter Nimrod and a heifer by Lodge Hamlet. Reserve went to three 11-month-old bull calves from the MacPhersons, Blackford. They are some of the first offspring from Blackford Galaxy.

LEADINGawards:

Highland Cattle (Judge: D Logan, Greenhead Farm, Alva, Clackmannanshire). Champion – Tordarroch Estates, Tordarroch, Farr, Inverness, with Heather 12 of Tordarroch, a two-year-old heifer which stood champion at Sutherland, last week. She is by Hamish of Knockendon, a bull bought at Oban in 2015 and out of Heather 11 of Innisaird. Reserve – Allanfearn Highlanders, New House, Heights of Inchvannie, Strathpeffer, with the three-year-old heifer Saphire of Allanfearn by Eilean Dubh of Craigowmill, out of Ruby of Allanfearn. She was first in her class at Sutherland. Bull – J and M McConachie and Son, Culfoich House, Grantown-on-Spey. Junior bull, calf, cow, intermediate heifer – Tordarroch Estates. Senior heifer, junior heifer – Allanfearn Highlanders.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: I Davidson, Barns Farm, Gleneagles, Auchterarder). Champion – D Walker, Galcantray, Cawdor, with Galcantray Pam, a three-year-old cow by Blelack Jupiter Eric, out of another Galcantray Pam. She is bred from the same family that bred the 18,000gns Galcantray Predator sold at Perth in 1997. Reserve – A and K Rhind and Son, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss, Forres, with Newton-Struthers Evo, a two-year-old bull by Retnick Panzer, out of Newton-Struthers Erina. He was shown as a calf and won tickets as a yearling at winter shows. Bull calved before January 1 2017 – A and K Rhind and Son. Bull calved on or after January 1 2017, intermediate heifer – TJ and G MacLean, 1 Raddery, Fortrose. Bull calf, cow – D Walker. Senior heifer – Ballindalloch Home Farm, Ballindalloch. Heifer calf – JM and LM Forbes, Lochdhu, Nairn.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: I Davidson). Champion – Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin, with the six-year-old cow, Shawhill Fancy by Alvie Blue Eyedboy, out of Alvie Briar Briony. She is in-calf to the Highland Show breed champion, Smallburn Jethro. Reserve – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown, Keith, with Glenrinnes Loopylou, a 17-month-old heifer by Chapelton Glenlivet, out of Glenrinnes Hollie. She was first in her class at Echt. Bull, heifer – Glenrinnes Farms. Cow – Smallburn Farms.

Limousin (Judge: C Fordyce, Islabank, Meigle, Perthshire). Champion – S Irvine, Braehead, Drummuir, Keith, with Anside Nigel, a 15-month-old son of Lodge Hamlet, out of Anside Ianna. He was on his second outing having stood first in his class at the Limousin Grand Prix at Echt and junior male champion. Reserve – M Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with Moonleaze Norbert, a 16-month-old bull bought as a calf at foot with its mother at the Moonleaze dispersal. He is by Losebrae Ben, out of Moonleaze Isabella and stood second in his class at Dornoch and fourth at the Grand Prix at Echt. Bull – S Irvine. Cow – Taymar Limousins, Kirkhill Farm, Alves. Bull calf, maiden heifer – M Robertson.

Simmental (Judge: C Fordyce). Champion – WG MacPherson, Blackford, Croy, with the 16-month-old bull Blackford Iolair, by Kilbride Farm Doubleaction, out of Blackford Waxwing. He stood first in his class at the Highland and was Beef Breeder champion. Reserve – WJ and J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, with Corskie Herb, a 22-month-old daughter of the 45,000gns Bel Dhu Capercaillie, out of Corskie Del. She was on her second outing having stood fourth in his class at the Highland. Senior bull, cow – Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin. Junior bull, bull calf – WG MacPherson. Senior heifer – B and S Grant, Druid Temple Farm, Inverness. Intermediate heifer – WJ and J Green. Junior heifer – J Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss.

Charolais (Judge: C Fordyce). Champion – S Irvine, Braehead, Drummuir, with Anside Nightrider, an 18-month-old bull by Woodpark Elgin. He is out of the seven-year old cow Anside Geisha, which is a full sister to the Irvine's top price Charolais bull, the 26,000gns Anside Excalibur which sold at Carlisle in May, 2011. Reserve – B and G Wright, Lagavaich, Glenlivet, with Lagavaich Lucy, a three-year-old female by Inverlochy Ferdy, out of Kelton Finesse. Having scooped tickets in the show circuit last summer, Lucy was shown with her February-born bull calf Lagavaich Olly. Bull – S Irvine. Cow – B and G Wright. Heifer calf – JH and SM Anderson, Cloy Farm, Fortrose

YF North Show Circuit (Judge: J McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn). Champion – G Fraser, Little Croy, Inverness, with a home-bred 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer by Stronefield Gladstone, out of a British Blue cross Limousin cow. She stood YF commercial champion and reserve overall YF champion at Sutherland, last week. Reserve – K Cruikshank, Clury Farm, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown, with Clury Nexus, a home-bred 14-month-old bull by Foxhillfarm Impecabull, out of Clury Gigi. He was on his first outing and is destined for the Black Isle and Grantown.

Commercial cattle (Judge: J McKechnie). Champion – J Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay, with a home-bred January-born Limousin cross heifer named She Who Dares. She is by Plumtree Fallon, out of a Limousin cross cow. Reserve – D Morrison, Burnside, Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, with Pepsi, a 15-month-old Limousin cross heifer bred by the Robertsons of Newton of Logierait. Bought at the Spring Show at Thainstone, this year, she was third in her class at the Highland and second in her class to Donald’s champion at Sutherland. Cow – Smallburn Farms. Heifer in calf, stot calf born after Jan 1, 2018 – Fraser Family, Easter Clune, Lethen, Nairn. Heifer calved between Sept 1, 2016 and Aug 31, 2017 – D Morrison. Stot calf calved between Sept 1, 2017 and Dec 31, 2017, Heifer calf calved between Sept 1, 2017 and Dec 31, 2017, Heifer calf calved on or after Jan 1 2018, calf born after Jan 1, 2018, cow and calf – J Munro and Son. Pair of calves – Keith Commercials, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith. Junior showmanship – D Munro, Invercharron.

Any other pure bred continental cattle (Judge: C Fordyce). Champion, reserve and all classes – S Balfour, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with British Blues Black N Blue Lady Lloyd and Fodderletter Mister Tom.

Blackface (Judge: W Bennie, Merkins, Gartocharn, Alexandria). Champion – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown, Keith, with a shearling tup bought at Lanark for £1100 from Hartside. He is by a Whelphill tup and stood fourth in his class at the Highland. Reserve – Robert Flett, Blackpark Croft, Ardersier, with a one-crop ewe bred by Gass. She was bought as a ewe lamb at Lanark in a pen of 10 and was on her first outing. Aged tup, shearling, pair of male lambs – Glenrinnes Farms. Ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group, pair of female lambs – R Flett. Young handler – M Hunter.

Suffolk (Judge: S Lorimer, Howeford, Kingswells, Aberdeenshire). Champion and reserve – L Mcauley, 3 Easter Coxton, Elgin. Champion for Louise was Bareflathills Big Impression, a shearling tup bought privately last summer. By Cairnorrie Hello Santos, he is out of a Bareflathills ewe and stood champion at Sutherland and reserve at Echt. Standing reserve was a home-bred tup lamb by Lindim Eye Catcher, out of an Essie ewe. She was third in her class at Echt and first at Sutherland. Aged tup, gimmer – Messrs Bissett, Mariain, Culnaskeath, Evanton. Shearling tup, tup lamb, ewe lamb – L Mcauley. Ewe – K and C Munro, Ashton Farm Cottage, Inverness.

Texel (Judge: R Struthers, Collielaw, Kilncadzow, Carluke). Champion – A Chisholm, Wester Moy, Urray, Muir of Ord, with a home-bred gimmer by the 32,000gns Arkle Yingyang, out of a Teiglum Tornado ewe. She was on her second outing having stood champion at Sutherland and is destined for the Black Isle. Reserve – K Ingram, 2 Balloch View, Banffshire, with a two-crop ewe by the Welsh tup Arman Vyrnwy, out of an Ettrick Rainbow Warrior daughter. She stood second here in her class last year. Shearling tup, ewe – K Ingram. Gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – A Chisholm.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: G Mackenzie, Broomhill Farm, Muir of Ord). Champion and reserve – R Baynes, Blackford, Croy. Champion for Raymond was a home-bred gimmer by Cassington D1, out of dam which bred last year’s champion here. In reserve was Raymond's home-bred two-crop ewe by a Rossiebank tup. She stood first as a ewe lamb. All classes – R Baynes.

Beltex (Judge: S Wood, Woodhillock, Skene, Aberdeenshire). Champion – Z Rennie, 4 South St, Newmill, Keith, with Mats Bullshot, a two-shear tup bought two years ago at Carlisle. He is by Kingledores Apollo, out of Mats White Magic and stood champion at New Deer. Reserve – D Douglas, Braes of Coulmore, North Kessock, Inverness, with Fingle Gobra, a shearling tup bought last year at Carlisle. Sired by Kingledores Alfred, he is out of Teign Valley Wrist Watch and was on his first outing. Aged tup – Z Rennie. Shearling tup, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – D Douglas. Ewe – GM Ireland, The Mull, Cormalet, Cairnie, Huntly.

Zwartbles (Judge: F Wilkie, Whitestone Farm, Skene, Aberdeenshire). Champion – Messrs Bissett family, Mariain, Culnaskeath, Evanton, with the home-bred gimmer Carrah Eclaire, a multiple champion winner from last year. She is by Donbride Big D, out of a home-bred ewe and stood reserve supreme at the Black Isle, last year, as well as champion at Nairn, and was second at the Highland as a ewe lamb. Reserve – K and W Anderson, Cairnhill, Farr, Inverness, with a home-bred ewe lamb named Cairnhill Foxtrop. She is by Carrah Diesel, out of Cairnhill Delta and was on her second outing, she was reserve champion at Sutherland. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer – Messrs Bissett. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – K and W Anderson. Zwartbles non-accredited – Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – A Clark.

Jacob (Judge: A Brown, Carnraineach, Camusteil, Applecross). Champion – A Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly, with Hope Knockout, a two-shear tup by Hyndshaw Highland Laddie, out of a Hope ewe. This was his first win of the year, having stood champion numerous times last year. Reserve – M Milton, Newton of Auchindahcy, Keith, with Cairdswood Millie, a four-crop ewe by Burnside Everyl, out of a Montcoffer ewe bred by Moira’s daughter Jennifer. She has won a number of championships in her showing career. Tup, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – A Christie. Ewe – M Milton.

Cross-bred sheep (Judge: R MacKenzie, Muirton, Munlochy). Champion and reserve – G Breathet, Woodside Croft, Blackpark, Ardersier. Champion for Gavin was three March-born Texel cross Suffolk breeding ewe lambs by a Wester Moy tup, while reserve went to his three Texel cross Suffolk prime ewe lambs. Ewe, gimmer, breeding ewe lambs, prime ewe lambs – G Breathet. Wether lambs – E and I Macarthur, Newton of Budgate, Cawdor, Nairn.

Mules (Judge: R MacKenzie). Champion – D and DM Leslie, Redhill Farm, Mosstowie, Elgin, with a pen of gimmers. Reserve – K and S Matheson, Milton of Aberdarder, Strathnairn, Inverness, with three ewe lambs.

AOB sheep accredited (Judge: J Hunter, Western Road, Insch). Champion and reserve – Y Spence, Gowan Brae, Skye of Curr, Dulnain. Champion for Yvonne was Rolls Royce, a two-shear Charollais tup bought as a shearling at Worcester. He was bred by Percy Tait and stood second at the Highland. The reserve honours went to Yvonne's home-bred Charollais gimmer named Benmore Sophie. She is by a Welsh-bred tup and bred out of a granddaughter of Southam Fiona. Aged tup, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – Y Spence. Ewe – E and J Gunn.

AOB sheep non-accredited (Judge: D Clark, 12 Glebe Rd, Nairn). Champion – K Darvill, Burn Banks Crofts, Linside, Invershin, with a Poll Dorset tup lamb bought as a young lamb which was reared by one of Kyle’s ewes. This was Kyle’s first ever show outing with sheep. Reserve – E and D Grant, Druid Temple Farm, Inverness, with a Valais Blacknose ewe lamb named Foxglove on its first outing. Bought three years ago from the Whithall flock, she is by Bertha and out of Whitehall Dino 2, an original Valais Blacknose ewe from Switzerland. This was Foxglove's first outing with the Grants. Aged tup, shearling tup – J Aird, Glenurquhart, Cromarty, Ross-shire. Ewe – E Campbell and J Keith, The New House, Balvaird, Muir of Ord. Gimmer – P Henderson, Udale, Poyntzfield. Tup lamb – K Darvill. Ewe lamb – E and D Grant.

Clydesdales (Judge: H Ramsay, Millisle, Garlieston, Newton Stewart). Champion – E and M Johnstone, 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, with the multiple champion winner Ord Tinkerbell. A two-year-old by Eskechraggan Ernest, bred out of Ord Envy, she was on her first outing of the year having won the Cawdor Cup and Sanderson Trophy at the Highland this year. Reserve – D Walker and B Brown, Galcantray, Cawdor, with Kilmaclasser Bonnie Lily, a five-year-old brood mare bought two years ago. She is by Cloondaff Setant and out of Carnaff Bonnie Marie. Gelding, brood mare, foal, one-year-old filly – D Walker and B Brown. Two-year-old filly – E and M Johnstone. Young handler – R MacLeod.

Highland pony (Judge: J MacNaught, Netherbrae, Burn Rd, Darvel, Ayrshire). Champion – S Halford, Muirside Steading, Brodie, Forres, with Gaolean of Croila, a home-bred yeld mare by Danny Boy of Croila, out of Sylvia of Croila. She was supreme champion at Mundole Spring Show and won the working harness class at the Highland. Reserve – AD Leslie-Melville, Croy, with the three-year-old filly Glenbanchor Lismore’s by Gillie Brighde, out of Cuaillean of Lismore. She was fifth at the Highland as a two-year-old. Brood mare, foal – W Sanders, Rowanbank, Brae of Kinkell, Dingwall. Yeld mare – S Halford. Three-year-old – AD Leslie-Melville.

Shetland pony (Judge: I Spence, Middle Steading, Baldyvin, Alford). Champion – H Sleigh, St John Wells, Fyvie, with the three-year-old colt Wells Craig by Wells Misfit, out of Wells Fyona. She has won multiple show tickets in her showing career including reserve male and junior champion at the Highland Show, last year, as well as reserve champion at New Deer. Reserve – C Windows, Carrisgil Shetlands, Caithness, with the eight-year-old yeld mare Orkney’s Sugar Candy bought two years ago from Orkney. She is by Millhouse Musician and stood reserve at Latheron. Standard – Stallion or gelding, any colour other than black – MF Elson, Millbank Cottage, Earlsmill, Forres. Colt or gelding – HP Sleigh. Brood mare, yeld mare – C Windows. Foal – N Macdonald-Lewis, Drumnagair Stud, Hillhead Croft, Methlick. Filly – JD Swan, Teannhaun Croft, Conon-Bridge. Yearling colt, filly or gelding – K Cameron, Ardmhor, Balnakyle, Munlochy. Miniature – Stallion or gelding, yearling – Derek Finlayson, Hillcrest, Duncanston, Dingwall. Brood mare with foal at foot, foal, filly – R MacLeod, Lochfleet, Dornoch. Yeld mare – K Cameron.

Sheep young handlers – 1, Lachlan Hurford; 2, Donald Grant; 3, Ava Laughton