The long trip down from Aberdeenshire to Dumfriesshire, proved fruitful to well-known dog handler, George Simpson, when he sold the top priced lot at 3600gns at the Moffat Sheepdog Society's sale at Moffat.

The sale of 55 working collies and pups, conducted by C and D Auctions, was led by Mr Simpson's Ace, a 26-month-old tri-coloured dog by A Lyttle's Jim, out of A McClintock's June. A winner of two nursery trials, Ace headed back up north with Charlie McIntyre, Glenrinnes, Huntly.

Next best at 3000gns was D McKillop's Roy, a three-year-old doge from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, purchased by Beattock's V Fielding. Roy is by JP McGee's Seth and bred from P Lynch's Bute.

Another Irish dog, Zac, from S Donaghy, Co Derry, realised 2500gns. He is by MC Shearer's Jim, out of D Henderson's Burndale Queen and headed home to Co Cork with Con O' Callaghan.