Growing demand for the hardy Luing breed ensured a cracking trade at Dingwall and Highland Marts’ online sale at Dingwall, where despite a couple of hiccups, the event was deemed a success with cattle selling up to Orkney and down to Somerset.

In addition, the event achieved a 100% clearance the following day.

While the system failed to acknowledge a couple of bids, such was the demand that all vendors enjoyed a flying trade, with bulls peaking at 6000gns twice for 25-month-old entries from father and son duo, Alistair and David MacArthur, Nunnerie, Elvanfoot.

Nunnerie Xecutive and Nunnerie Xponential are both sons of the 17,000gns Finlarg Tornado and out of home-bred cows by the 8000gns Harehead Davy-Dee.

Xecutive headed home with the Macpherson farmily, Blarghour, Dalmally, whilst Xponential was bought by Angus Kennedy and son Angus, Mitchellhill, Broughton, Biggar.

Leading the female trade at 3020gns were two pedigree bulling heifers from Graeme MacRae, Kintail, Newton of Ferintosh. The April 2018-born entries are by Commonside Scania, and sold to James Innes and Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly.

Sim Luings peaked at 1280gns for two heifers from John Lawrie, Tillyrie, Kinross, with both heading home with C Arnot, Hatton Mill, Angus. These 14-month-olds are sired by Wolfstar Fortune and Woodhall Glenmore

Commenting on the trade, society chairman Mark Thomson, Tillyrie, said: “In these extraordinary times it is rewarding to have Dingwall and Highland Marts’ and the Luing Cattle Society work together to ensure a successful virtual sale. It is really pleasing to see the strong interest in Luing cattle continue throughout the UK.

OTHER LEADING prices

Pedigree bulling heifers – Culmaily Farm, Golspie, 2960gns (x2); 2420gns (x3); Kintail; 2580gns (x2); Clashnoir, Glenlivet, 1980gns (x2) and 1760gns; Nunnerie (x2), Inverbroom, Ullapool (x3) 1700gns.

Pedigree yearling heifers – Lochan Farm 840gns, (x4) 800gns.

Unregistered – Sim/Luing heifers – Tillyrie Farm (x2), 1260gns; Lochan Farm (x3), 1020gns.

Luing bulling heifers – Welbeck Estates (x2) 1080gns, (x3) 1040gns.

Auctioneers: Dingwall and Highland Marts.

averages: Pedigree – 82 bulling heifers £1650.29; five yearling heifers £848.40. Unregistered – Nine bulling heifers, £933.33. Sim/Luing – 13 heifers, £1085.54.