A shearling ram from Kenny and John Matheson, Milton Farm, Aberarder, topped Dingwall and Highland Marts' sale of 179 Blackface rams and 1846 females, selling for £1900, with the overall ram average of £558.10, showing a rise of £85.53 on the year.

Two-shear rams sold to £1100 from the Macpherson family, Blackford, Croy.

Breeding females were also up on the year with 107 ewe lambs selling to £79 from Newton of Crathie, Ballater, to level at £56.46 (+£17.69); 1489 ewes averaged £59.00 (+£20.15) having sold to £132 from Woodside of Culloden, Inverness and 244 gimmers peaked at £170 from Tulloch, Dingwall, to cash in at £122.39 (+£44.71)

OTHERLEADING prices

Shearling rams – Harestone, Insch, £1750; Bomakelloch, Drummuir, £1700; Milton Farm, £1500; Crackaig Blackies, Blackpark, £1450; Beldhu, Croy, £1400.

Two-shears – Blackford Farm, £1000; Newton of Crathie, Ballater, £900.

Three-shears – Braes of Ardonaig, £500; 4 Balmeanach, Struan, £380; Braes of Ardeonaig, £320.

Ram lambs – Harestone, £350, £300; Invernahyle, £260.

Aged rams – Bomakelloch, £700; Tulloch Farm, £400, £300.

Ewe lambs – BF – Tigh N’Ulaidh, Tomatin, £72; Blackmuir, Dingwall, £70; 8 Drynie Park, Muir of Ord, £70. Chev – 2 Melvaig, North Erradale, £58.

Ewes – BF – Woodside of Culloden, £130, £110; Tigh N’Ulaidh, £92; Blackmuir, £92; Gorthleck Mains, Inverness, £91. Chev – Langwell Beag, Ardgay, £74.

Gimmers – BF – 17B Habost, Ness, £148, £140; Woodside of Culloden, £145, £140; Mullingarroch Steading, Boat of Garten, £132; Glenbow, Fortrose, £130.

FLOCKaverages

Farm (No) Top (£) Average

Braes of Ardeonaig (7) 500 371.42

Nunnerie (4) 500 450.00

Harestone (14) 1750 537.14

Tulloch (3) 400 333.33

Crackaig Blackies (4) 1450 600.00

Milton (10) 1900 920.00

Abersky (5) 1350 930.00

Dalbuiack and Ess (4) 1000 737.50

Clashnoir (10) 1000 722.00

Glenrinnes Farms (5) 700 590.00

Bomakelloch (6) 1700 916.66

Upper Croft Na Garn (4) 1350 900.00

Midlock (5) 600 530.00

Balchraggan (18) 1000 586.11

Clune and Corrybrough Estate (5) 900 710.00

Ballindalloch Home Farms (5) 1200 720.00

Livet, Glenlivet (10) 1000 630.00

Glenbow (4) 600 475.00

Kingsfield, Kintore (6) 100 76.66

Tigh N’Ulaidh, Tomatin (6) 400 196.66

Wedderburn (5) 500 336.00

Newton of Crathie (900) 425.00

Balmeanach, Skye (3) 380 293.33

Invernahyle (4) 350 227.50