All breeds and crosses met an acceptable trade, with a near total clearance achieved at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' sale of 2972 gimmers and Lleyn sheep at Thainstone, on Wednesday.

The show and sale of Lleyns, saw the judge, Neil McGowan, Incheoch, Alyth, present the male championship to a shearling ram from Blackpots, Auchnagatt, which later sold for 480gns.

The champion pen of females, gimmers from Anniston, Inverbervie, realised £120 per head.

Top price amongst the females was £150 paid for gimmers from Blackpotts.

Overall, 112 Lleyn gimmers averaged £126.42 (+£8.37 on the year), while 16 ewe lambs cashed in at £77 from a lead price of £90 paid for entries from Teuchitfauld, Maud.

The nine Lleyn rams averaged £372.16.

Outwith the Lleyns, 129 Half-bred gimmers averaged £154.84 (+£8.01) having sold to £168, twice from Wardhead, Strichen, with Cheviot gimmers (74) selling to £118 from Glenfinnan, Findon, on three occasions to level at £112.94.

Cheviot Mule gimmers (131) averaged £137.09 (+£2.88) peaking at £150 from Burnside of Pitfour, Mintlaw; continental gimmers (131) balanced out at £137.13 (+£3.25) selling to £220 from Bogiefeulach, Tornaveen and 28 continental ewes peaked at £115 for warranted entries from Boynesmill, Forgue.

The 2342 Mule gimmers hit a top of £168 from Kirkland, Forgue, on two occasions, to average £131.54 (-£5.17).

LEADING prices

Gimmers – HB – Tillyboy, Echt £152, South Blachrie, Fyvie £150. Chev Mule – Rennieshill, Newmacher £145 (twice), £135, Overhill, Whitecairns £135, £120. Mule – Kirkland £165, £152, £140, £138; Farmton, Tough £158, £145, £140; Bogiebrae, Rhynie £150, £140; Stonieley, Alvah £140; Whitelums, Gartly £140, £138, £132; Mains of Slains, Collieston £138, £135, £134; St Johns Wells, Fyvie £138, £135, £134; Hungryhills, Longmanhill £138, £135; Gerriesford, Cuminestown £138, £135; Cape Wrath, Turnerhall £132, £130. Mill Bleu – Bogiefeulach £220. Bel X Char – Bogiefeulach £190. Pure Tex – Rowanhill, Kininmonth £190, £140. Bel X Tex – Bogiefeulach £175. Suff X – Wester Biffie, Maud £175; Highfield £135. Tex X – Minard, Kirriemuir £160, £140; Burnside of Pitfour £145; Ardhuncart, Kildrummy £140; Highfield, Lethenty £135. Char X Hb – Greenmyre, Oldmledrum £135, £112.

Ewes – BDM 2yr – Upper Tack, Newmacher £102; Mule 3yr – Wardhead £90.

Lleyns – Gimmers – Blackpots £135, £132; Woodlands £130; Laga Farms, Evie £130, £120; Anniston, Inverbervie £120 (x2); Gallery, Montrose, East Carmont Steading, Stonehaven £115. Ewe lambs – Teuchtifauld £72, Gallery £70.

Rams – Teuchitfauld 420gns; Blackpots 400gns; Carmont Steading 350gns; Laga Farms 320gns.