Ian Brownlie's Boyd leads at Kinross

In the morning, the rough Blackface hoggs played up on the gently rolling field, but in the afternoon they were excellent, the best seen there for many years.

Kyle (C Davidson’s Cap, R Harris’ Phyll) started out well, and after slight wavers on the fetch, drove his sheep cleanly round the course and completed his winning run with clean work at hand.

Seumas Campbell’s Queen (RJ Hutchinson’s Jock, I Wilkie’s Floss) and Iain MacDonald’s Ben (D Rees’ Cap, R Shaw’s Bet) took second and third places respectively, with two similar runs, separated only on outbye work. Both dogs worked well on the course but had more difficulties in the close work.

A line of rushes growing across the course at Dougarie presented an obstacle that the strong Cheviot gimmers had to breach three times, and although most dogs put them through, many came unstuck at the pen.

Good work on the course and a successful pen and shed gave Emma Gray’s Graylees Chip (E Gray’s Telf Joff and Scalpsie Nessie) the lead on a day when only a small number achieved that distinction.

The best drive of the day, manoeuvring a particularly awkward customer round the course, helped James Shanks’ Mirk (D Shaw’s Ben, J Shanks Kim) make his way up the prize list, but the gimmers' behaviour at the pen put him into second place.

Iain McConnell’s Joe, an older brother of Mirk from an earlier litter, led the confined class despite his struggle to drive the sheep away in very windy conditions.

Clipped Mule hoggs at Lesmahagow were consistently excellent to work with, on a tricky course of humps and hollows and in their search for their sheep, many dogs crossed their course from either side. The long grass made it difficult for dogs and sheep to see and be seen in the distance, but penning and shedding generally went well.

George Gardner’s Meg (C Smart’s Guy and Fly) started out well, had minor wavers on the fetch and drive, and finished her winning run with clean work at hand, and a closely packed list hot on her heels.

Sandy McCulloch's Sam (A Lehtio’s Coel, BJ Bowen’s Pat) ran out well, lifted cleanly and had a very good fetch, drive and pen, but when his attempted shed failed to come off, a retake put the run into second place.

LEADING awards

Auchindaul, Great Glen (Judge: SL Davidson, Sandbank). Open – 45 ran – 1, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 95; 2, S Campbell’s Queen, Skye, 86 Outbye; 3, I MacDonald’s Ben, Staffin, 86; 4, J MacKillop's Zac, Fort Augustus, 84; 5, A McCuish’s Andy, Skipness, 81; 6, M MacNally's Glen, Invergarry, 80; 7, A McCuish’s Mirk (Mac), Skipness, 79; 8, J Shanks’ Mirk, Ardtornish,76; Confined -1, J MacKillop's Zac, Fort Augustus, 84; 2, M MacNally's Glen, Invergarry, 80; 3, J Shanks’ Mirk, Ardtornish,76; 4, M MacNally's Ash, Invergarry, 72; 5, F Fulford’s Pip, Eracht, 66; 6, J MacKillop's Viking Jed, Fort Augustus, 63.

Kinross (Judge: A Sim, Powmill). Open – 72 ran –1, IM Brownlie’s Boyd, Dunbar, 95; 2, C Toner’s Niro Mace, Drimsynie, 93; 3, D McMullen’s Eve, Glenarm, 91 Outbye; 4, A Olofsson’s Templehall Fred, Alyth, 91; 5, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 90 Outbye; 6, IM Brownlie’s Don, Dunbar, 90. Local – 1, N Campbell’s Gwen, Kinross, 87; 2, S MacDougall’s Moss, Blairadam, 78; 3, J Hastie’s Lethans Bear, Saline, 69.

Lesmahagow (Judge:A Aitchison, Mossdale) Open – 50 ran – 1, GC Gardner’s Meg, Lesmahagow, 90; 2, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 89; 3, IM Brownlie’s Boyd, Dunbar, 88 Outbye; 4, W Welsh’s Cap, Dalcairney, 88 Outbye; 5, D Aitken’s Tami, Peebles, 88; 6, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 87.

Dougarie, Arran (Judge: J Casey, Largie). Open – 54 ran – 1, E Gray’s Graylees Chip, Ardros, 81; 2, J Shanks’ Mirk, Ardtornish, 75; 3, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 72; 4, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 71; 5, I McConnell’s Joe, Lamlash, 70; 6, A McCuish’s Mirk (Mac), Skipness, 67; 7, C Mellin’s Moor Lodge Ben, Oakworth, 66; Confined -1, I McConnell’s Joe, Lamlash, 70; 2, W Stevenson’s Arran McLeod,Whiting Bay, 59; 3, N McMaster’s Gael, Bennan, 53; 4, M McNeish’s Pip, Sliddery, 46; 5, W Stevenson’s Dusk, Whiting Bay, 43.

Northumberland League

Ilderton I (Judge: S Martin, Cashlie). Open – 30 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 91; 2, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 89; 3, M Day’s June, Alwinton, 80; 4, WS Elliot’s Branshaws Cap, Yetholm, 77; 5, C Balmbro’s Dot, Wooler, 71; 6, JJ Pattinson’s Jad, Roman Wall, 69.

Ilderton II (Judge: JJ Pattinson, Roman Wall). Open – 27 ran – 1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 96; 2, M Northwood’s Henry, East Woodburn, 87 Outbye; 3, C Cassie’s Pip, Lancs., 87; 4, P Telfer’s Gin, Haydon Bridge, 85; 5, P Martin’s Meg, Glenlyon, 80; 6, C Balmbro’s Liz, Wooler, 78.