The sun stuck around for Banchory Show where Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank Texel ewe was crowned overall champion of champions.
Judged on a points system, the one-crop ewe by the 30,000gns Clanfield Golden, first secured the inter-breed sheep honours and stood ahead of the beef champion, Delfur Farms’ Simmental lead, Delfur Nifty, for the supreme overall.
This four-year-old cow by Ballmoney Larry, shown by manager Garry Patterson, has enjoyed an outstanding show season, taking the champion of champions title at Angus Show and a reserve at the Royal Highland.
Reserve sheep was a bought-in Suffolk ewe from Craig Coutts, Mains of Tonley, Alford. Bred by Jim Innes, this Strathbogie female was purchased at the Christmas Classic at Thainstone, last year and is sired by Rempstone Gambler.
Father and son duo, Michael and Mark Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, continued on their winning streak too taking the reserve cattle honours with BB, an 18-month-old Limousin cross British Blue cross heifer bred by Balfour Baillie, Orkney.
Heavy horse supreme was Robin Stewart’s Highland pony from Durris Home Farm. West Lodge McNair a seven-year-old home-bred stallion is by Glenmarzon Na Dalych. He is a former winner here, at Turriff and the Black Isle.
LEADING awards
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: H Sclater, Turriff). Champion – H Thomson, Tynet with the eight-year-old cow Tynet Diana, by Gretnahouse Blacksmith and out of Fearn Abby Diana. Female champion here in 2025. Reserve – R Gardiner, Newton, Lyne of Skene with Newton Jill Erica A175, a two-year-old heifer by Blelack Hill Blue Lightening, out of home-bred Jill Erica which was a former champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza, and champion at Echt. Junior bull – G Massie. Senior heifer – K and M Howie. Junior heifer – R Gardiner. Calf – A Davie.
Charolais (Judge: G Laing, Grantown on Spey). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, with the three-year-old cow Utopia Unique, by Stranagone Reagan, out of Utopia Jacqueline, shown with her Thrunton Fairfax-sired bull calf at foot. Multiple champion last year and breed leader at Fettercairn and reserve at Echt this year. Reserve – Michelle Hanson and and D Irvine, with the yearling heifer Silvermere Athena, by Barnsford Ferny, out of Silvermere Ocala. Reserve junior female at the Royal Highland in June. Junior bull – J Allardyce. Cow and calf – B Duffton. Junior heifer – M Hanson and D Irvine.
Simmental (Judge: G Christie, Huntly). Champion – Delfur Farms, Rothes with Delfur Nifty, an October 2022-born calved heifer by Ballymoney Larry, out of Delfur Joyful, shown by herd manager, Garry Patterson. She was shown with November-born heifer calf at foot and was champion of champions at Angus and reserve at the Royal Highland. Reserve – Heather Duff, Pitmudie, with the April 2024-born Pitmudie Robyn, an in-calf heifer by Auchorachan King Kong out of Pitmudie Layla. Reserve at Angus and second at Fettercairn. Junior bull, cow and calf – G Patterson. Senior and junior heifer – H Duff.
Limousin (Judge: G Laing, Grantown on Spey). Champion – A Nelson and D Scott, Laurencekirk with the December 2024-born bull, Oddies Venom. A son of Huntershall Prosecutor, out of Briarton Matilda, he was champion at Angus and first at the Royal Highland. Reserve – RG Youngson, Bendauch, Kinellar with the five-year-old Confluence Saskia, bought at Carlisle in 2022. She is by Powerhouse Italic and out of Confluence Ormohu. Junior bull – D Scott. Cow, senior heifer, junior heifer – RG Youngson. Calf – G Rhind.
British Blonde (Judge: G Christie, Huntly). Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith with a home-bred yearling bull. Strathisla Andre, a 14-month-old son of Strathisla Santiago is bred from Strathisla Paris. Reserve – Alison Watt with Strathisla Tanya, a four-year-old shown with her second calf at foot, a two-month-old heifer. A daughter of Strathisla Pascoe bred from Allerston Jasmine, Tanya was a big winner as a two-year-old. All classes – A Watt.
Highland (Judge: G McConachie, Grantown on Spey). Champion – R and G Easton, Ranch fold, Letham with the two-year-old heifer Isabella of Ranch, by Magness of Earn and out of Claira Of Ubhaidh. First at Kirriemuir and champion at Angus. Reserve – Morag Middleton, Mid Mains of Balfour, Fettercairn, with the two-year-old black heifer, Te Bhan 5 of Innisard, which was bought at Oban in October for 5000gns. Bred by Stuart Knox and Son, she is by Magnus of Ubhaidh and out of Te Bhan of Innisaird. Champion at Echt. Junior bull – A Reid. Cow and calf – M Middleton. Heifer – R and G Easton. Heifer – J Singer.
British Blue (Judge: G Laing, Grantown on Spey). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, with the 17-month-old privately purchased bull Almeley Viking, by Ballygrange Dalton, out of Almeley Fay. Champion at New Deer. Reserve – J Youngson, Westerton Cullenlie, with Westerton Valentine, a heifer by Solway View Popeye out of a home-bred cow. She was reserve at Turriff in 2025. Senior bull, cow, senior heifer, junior heifer, calf – J Youngson. Junior bull – B Duffton.
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: G Christie, Huntly). Champion – A Haigh, Balquhadly, Forfar with a four-year-old home-bred cow and her four-week-old calf. She is by Willingham Kensington and out of Willingham Honeysuckle and was on her first outing this year. Reserve – J Allardyce, Alamein, Tarland with the heifer Alamein Jilt Valda, sired by Strathisla Rowan and out of Brinmore Allira. First at Echt, second at Fettercairn and third at Stars of the Future. Junior bull, cow and calf – A Haigh. Senior heifer – M Bailey. Junior heifer – J Allardyce.
AOB cattle (Judge: G Laing, Grantown on Spey). Champion – Alana Clark, Huntly, with Barwise Ergo, a three-year old Belted Galloway bull bred by Carolyn Fletcher that was bought at a breed sale at Skipton for 5000gns after standing pre-sale champion. He is sired by Maybeck Dundee and out of Barwise Ermina. Champion at Echt. Reserve – Alana Clark, with the Belted Galloway heifer, Millenium Pearl, purchased at Dingwall. She is by Staffords Gordon and out of Balcorrach Oyster. Champion here last year. All classes – A Clark.
Commercial cattle (Judge: D MacArthur, Nairn). Champion – M and M Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with BB, an 18-month-old Limousin cross British Blue cross heifer bred by Balfour Baillie, Orkney, that was Rising Stars champion at the Thainstone Christmas Classic and junior commercial champion at Stars of the Future in November. Bought at the Thainstone Spectacular, she is sired by Redriver Powerful and stood champion at Stirling and supreme overall at Echt. Reserve – B Duffton, Huntly, with Bumble, a December 2024-born Limousin cross bullock bought from Finn Christie at the Young Farmers’ Overwintering competition at Thainstone for £5500 in April. He was bred by Gordon Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran. Cow, two-year-old heifer, two-year-old bullock, bullock calf – B Duffton. Yearling bullock, yearling heifer – W Robertson and Son. Suckled heifer calf, best calf – L Smith. Commercial suckled calf – J Youngson. Young farmer’s bullock – C Harper. Cow with bullock calf, cow with heifer calf, suckled heifer calf – J Youngson. Suckled bullock calf – D Anderson.
Cattle young handlers (Judge: D MacArthur, Nairn). Ages 14-18yrs – 1, Jamie Allardyce; 2, Beth Lorimer; 3, Maisy Stewart. 10-13yrs – 1, Lily Smith; 2, Katie Norrie; 3, Matt Middleton; 4, Ellie Youngson; 5, Darcy Fleming.
Suffolk (Judge: J Young, Craigievar). Champion – C Coutts, Mains of Tonley, Alford with a one-crop Strathbogie-bred ewe bought at the Christmas Classic at Thainstone. She is by Rempstone Gambler and out of a Strathbogie ewe. Reserve – G Troup, Shaggart, Sauchen with a gimmer by Treforian Rocket out of a home-bred Whitestone ewe.
Blackface (Judge: B Gilchrist, Biggar). Champion – A Brown, Graystone with bought-in ewe from Harestone that was second at Echt. Reserve – A Leek, Lonmay with a home-bred gimmer by a son of £32,000 Orchilmore bought from Towiemore, out of home-bred ewe. Aged ram, shearling ram, gimmer – A Leek. Ewe, ram lamb – A Brown. Ewe lamb – S Alexander.
Texel (Judge: B McTaggart, Castle Douglas) Champion and champion of champions – R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff with a one-crop ewe by the 30,000gns Clanfield Golden bred from a Harestone Eldorado-sired dam on her show debut. Reserve – R Wilson, with a gimmer bred the same way. She is an ET sister to the years Royal Highland champion. Aged ram, shearling ram – R Blackhall. Ewe, gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb – R Wilson.
Bluefaced Leicester traditional (Judge: A McClymont, Selkirk). Champion – N Dow, Upper Sauchen with the £3600 Whinnyhall T029 bought last year at Kelso. He is by Parton R006 and out of Whinnyhall R042. Reserve – R Blackhall, The Green, Banchory with a gimmer by Philiphaugh P6 and out of home-bred ewe. Champion at Fettercairn. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe and ewe lamb – N Dow. Gimmer – R Blackhall. Ram lamb – S Burnett.
Bluefaced Leicester crossing-type (Judge: M Forbes, Pitlochry). Champion – A Jolly, Whiteknowes Farm, Craigievar with a tup lamb by a £7000 Carry House bought at Hawes in 2025 out of a £4800 M76 Carry House ewe bought at the dispersal. Reserve – J Millican, Newton of Hasslewells with a two-crop ewe by a Dunbrach P3 out of a daughter of M14 Blarnavaid. Reserve here last year. Shearling ram, gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb – A Jolly. Ewe – J Millican.
Northern short-tail (Judge: J Young, Craigievar) Champion – L Thomson and J Graham, Shielling, with a one-crop Shetland ewe by Brae Xsmolder, out of a home-bred ewe. First outing. Reserve – L Thomson and J Graham, Sheilling, with a home-bred Shetland gimmer by Shielling Flocki out of Bucklay Sunlight. First at New deer. Aged ram – J Hutchinson. Shearling ram, ewe, gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb – L Thomson and J Graham.
Beltex (Judge: K MacArthur, Nairn). Champion and reserve – Philip Smith Agri, Hill of Braigie with the ET-bred gimmer Whitestone Lost for Words. She is bred from Woodies Epic Lady and sired by Bailey Brook CR7. Reserve was the ewe lamb Whitestone Miss Independent sired by Matts Ducatti and out of Whitestone Jellybean. All classes – Philip Smith Agri.
Blue Texel (Judge: K MacArthur). Champion – Mrs A Adams, Drumfrennie, Banchory with home-bred gimmer by a Viewforth tup and out of Morridge Daisy. Reserve – Mrs A Adams, Drumfrennie Farm, with a four-year-old tup by a Viewforth sire and out of a home-bred ewe. First at Fettercairn. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer and ewe lamb – A Adams. Ram lamb – G Moir.
Ryeland (Judge: A Milne, Banchory). Champion and overall champion Ryeland – R Easton, Ranch Farm, Letham, with the home-bred gimmer Lady Fern Frankie,sired by Braveheart and out of Patruthie Claris. Reserve – G Gettings, Friockheim, Arbroath, with the home-bred shearling ram Renmure Forest Gump, by Ryeside Daleslad out of Jardine Chanelle. Champion at Echt. Aged ram – K Harding. Shearling ram, ram lamb, ewe lamb – G Gettings. Ewe – E and S Garrett. Gimmer – R Easton.
Coloured Ryeland (Judge: A Milne). Champion and reserve overall champion Ryeland – K Harding, Mill of Meadaple, with a home-bred one-crop ewe by Dunnick Yetti out of Bodylair which won the ewe lambs at the Scottish National. Reserve – R Easton, Letham with Ranch Fifi, a gimmer by Mod Chip out of Ranch Cinderella who that was first at Echt. Aged ram, ram lamb – C Thomson. Shearling ram, Ewe – K Harding. Gimmer, ewe lamb – R Easton.
AOCB sheep (Judge: E Duncan, Mintlaw). Champion – C Cruden, Standingstones, Dyce with a Haydon ewe bought at the flock dispersal in 2024. Sired by Singy boy and out of a Haydon-bred ewe, she was reserve female at Echt. Reserve – C Cruden with a tup lamb by Cargenglen Aviemore and out of home-bred ewe. Fifth at the Royal Highland. Aged ram – D Watson. Shearling ram, ewe lamb – L Troup. Ewe, gimmer, ram lamb – C Cruden.
AONB sheep (Judge: J Gall, Peterhead). Champion – A Groat, Bishopston, Portlethen with a Border Leicester ewe lamb by Traboyack Wotsit out of a home-bred ewe. She was first at Fettercairn. Reserve – C Crawford, Law of Lumgair, Stonehaven with a Lleyn shearling ram by Haywood Lonach and out of a home-bred ewe. Fourth at the Royal Highland. Aged ram – J Robertson. Shearling ram – C Crawford. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – R Groat. Ram lamb – K Mitchell.
Cross sheep (Judge: E MacArthur, Nairn). Champion – R Blackhall, The Green, with a pair of gimmers sired by Townhead Frank the Tank and out of home-bred ewes. One of the gimmers was champion at Echt and the other was champion at Fettercairn. Reserve – R Blackhall with a three-shear ewe by backed by home-bred genetics. First at Echt in 2023. Ewe, pair of gimmers – R Blackhall. Texel cross lambs, three butchers lambs – G Forbes. Three lambs any other breed – F Wilkie. Pet lamb – E Youngson.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: J Gall, Peterhead) 12-16yrs – 1, Emily Henderson; 2, Archie Brown; 3, Alexander Leek; 4, Katie Harding. (Judge: E Duncan, Mintlaw) 8-11yrs – 1, Ellie Burnett; 2,Thomas Sleigh; 3, Jonny Sleigh; 4t, Catherine Leek. (Judge: K MacArthur, Nairn) 7 and under – 1, Harriet Groat; 2,Bobby Youngson; 3, Harvey Wilkie; 4, Katie Reynolds.
Clydesdale (Judge: L Aitken, Kirriemuir). Champion – B Warburton, Forfar with Muirton Merrygoround a three-year-old mare bought from T Clark. Sired by Singlie Limited Edition and out of Muirton Melba. Reserve female at Kirriemuir. Reserve – J and L Martin, Guildy Farm with the two-year-old gelding, Guildy Bill by Arradoul Balvenie and out of Redcastle Juniper. Reserve at Kirriemuir and reserve male at Aberdeen Clydesdale show last year. Yeld mare – B Warburton. Colt/gelding – J and L Martin. Two-year-old filly – P Wyborn. Yearling filly – C Robertson. Gelding – F Watt. Young handler – Annabelle Watt.
Highland ponies (Judge: H Kerr, Maybole). Champion – K and R Stewart, Durris Home Farm with the seven-year-old stallion West Lodge McNair by Glenmarzon Na Dailach, out of West Lodge Cara. Former champion here, at the Black Isle and Turriff. Reserve – J Headspeath, Glenshee with he nine-year-old Sorne Sula, by An Tellach of Abernethy and out of Acnacone Arizona. In-hand champion at the 2023 at Centenary Highland Pony Breed Show and NPS silver medal in hand champion at Blair Atholl Horse trials. Stallion, in hand, ridden – R Stewart. Gelding/mare – S MacIntosh. Yearling – L McDonald. Two-year-old – V Osborne-Antolovi. Young hander – 1, Hannah Macintosh; 2, Pippa Booth.
Standard Shetland (Judge: K Adams, Alloa). Champion – C and C Reid with a three-year-old gelding bred by S and L Sinclair. Sired by Wells Real Lucky out of Headowork Elvita. First at Echt. Reserve – K McNeil, Netherkinnundy, Longside with Harviestoun Sabre, a nine-year-old gelding by Harviestoun Dauphin, out of Harviestoun Safira. Junior gelding – K McNeil. Senior, coloured, under saddle – C Miller. Colt, Two/three-year-old – C and C Reid. Young handler – 1, Kenzie McNeil; 2, Corla Reid; 3, Lily Davie; 4, Roubin Valentine; 5, Staurt Valentine.
Miniature Shetland (Judge: K Adams, Alloa). Champion – M Irons, Blairscroft with Shallochmill Orianna a two-year-old filly by Kews mills pride out of Halstock Orla. Second at Fife. Reserve – K McNeil Netherkinnundy with an 11-year-old mare by Lynemore Dandy out of Hester of Hools. Mare or gelding – K McNeil. Yearling, two/three-year-old – M Irons. Young handler – Olivia Barclay.
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