Some 4375 head were sold at United Auctions' opening show and sale of store lambs at Oban Livestock Centre, where a buoyant demand coupled with a good following of buyers saw most vendors witness a £2 per head rise on the year.

Overall, the 4375 head levelled at £58.55, with some exceptional lots rising more than £2 per head.

Champion pen of 25 lambs, as selected by J Johnston, West Montgarswood, Ayrshire, came from J MacCormick, Balnagowan which later sold for £73 per head, with the reserve presented to a pen from D Dempster, Barguilean, that made £68.

The third prize pen from D MacCormick, Baligarve, made £70.50.

LEADING prices

Lambs – Suff X – £74.50 Strongorm; £73.00 Balnagown; £72.50 Frackersaig; £68.00 Strongorm; £67.00 Ardencaple; £67.00 Achnacreebeag; £67.00 Mid Farm; £65.00 Ardlarach. Tex X – £74.00 Kames Beag; £73.50 Poltalloch; £73.00, £71.00 Balnagown; £70.50 Baligarve; £70.50 3 Baligrundle; £70.00 Balnagown (A MacColl); £70.00 Strongorm; £68.00 Kames Beag; £68.00 Barguillean; £67.00 Strongorm; £67.00 Barguillean. Belt X – £72.00 Island View; £69.50 Achuaran; £64.00 Island View. Rouge – £65.00 Island View. Char X – £52.00 Creagnich. Chev –

£73.00 58 Tangasdale, Barra; £60.00 85 Borve, Barra. Cross – £73.50 Strongorm; £70.50 Inshaig.

Mule – £66.00 Achuaran; £63.00 Fiart; £63.00 Glenmachrie; £60.00 Stronacroibh. BF – £36.50 Ben Alder Estate.

Ewes – Tex X – £62.00 Dunach Estate; £56.00 Strontoiler. Chev – £54.00 Dunach Estate.