Stockmen of our time: Archie John MacLean of Heylipol Farm, Tiree

What’s your background?

I was brought up on our croft on the Island of Tiree. My parents butchered full time so only had grazing cattle on the croft, with the exception of two cows, which were bought as in-calf heifers at the Oban October sales in 1966, being two of the highest priced heifers at £85 per head.

These two cows were of great interest to me growing up and at the age of 12, our neighbour encouraged me to take them and their calves to Tiree Show. Well, if my path wasn’t mapped before it was then as one of the cows won first prize and went on to be overall champion.

No stopping now, from that young age right through I was fortunate to be supported and encouraged by many of the crofters on the island and in the days when crofts were worked properly with crop rotation and the correct stocking of cows and sheep.

I was also fortunate in that my brother and I would spend our summer school holidays with my grandparents and uncle, who farmed in Islay. It was during this time I was impressed with the farming activities of the island compared with the crofting ways of home, both of which have made me who I am. The key fact being that I had taken a great interest in quality stock, which were numerous on both islands.

Before leaving school, I had gathered 15 cows with the help and encouragement of my parents and my brother. Good quality stock was always the aim and numbers of cattle and sheep continued to grow. As time went on, I got the tenancies and sub-tenancies of other crofts and in 1989, just over a year after getting married to Caroline, I got the tenancy of Heylipol Farm, which I work alongside the crofts with the total area then allowing me to fulfil my dream to farm.

The present stock being 131 cows plus replacement heifers, 420 ewes plus replacement ewe hoggs along with 30/40 tup hoggs which are sold as shearlings. Our younger son, Alasdair, works alongside me, having his own Beltex flock. We have one full time employee who works more than half of his time on the farm and the rest in another part of our business.

Where did your stockman career begin?

When I first started out, cattle were my passion.

I had worked away gathering Blue Grey cows, at first using an Aberdeen-Angus bull then followed by a Hereford. In 1984 I bought my first Charolais bull just at the time when selling suckled calves was becoming the thing to do. I was influenced by the good quality sucklers going through Oban Market from the Oban and Kintyre areas along with the many good herds on Islay working with Irish cows and consistently breeding the best of calves.

So, the time was right to join in, gradually the smaller Blue Greys were replaced by the Irish Blue Grey and black cows. These cows put to a good Charolais bull did the job year in and year out.

At the height of my career, I was competing at sales, especially the Oban September calf show and sale, alongside the best producers from around Oban, Kintyre and all the islands. My second Oban September Sale was the highlight, winning second and third in class prizes and first prize pen of four Charolais bullocks, which made the top price of £605 in 1990.

Why your chosen breeds?

Having changed to the Charolais as a terminal sire in the mid-80s it has worked extremely well over the years, consistently producing even lots of calves sold at top averages.

In the sheep, the Beltex is our terminal sire and put to the Texel cross ewe is very hard to beat as the lambs batch well and sell up to £20 more than other breeds at our store lamb sale in mid-August.

Chosen breed’s place in the commercial market?

The Charolais as a terminal sire to produce suckled calves. We also cross the Aberdeen-Angus onto the good Limousin cows and vice versa to get replacement heifers as we haven’t bought a breeding female since 2000. This mix is proving itself as our sale averages have continued to be successful.

Our Texel ewes are bred from Mules and with the Beltex used as the terminal sire, this is hard to beat.

What is it you are looking for in an animal?

A well grown animal of good stature with overall good conformation and a bit of style.

Has the breed changed for the better?

There are different types within all the breeds. You must try to stick with the type that works for you but that is not always easy to find.

What got you involved in showing to start with?

It has always been good to be involved with our own local show, however it was Alasdair at 10 years old that started us off showing at the Royal Highland Show with his first Beltex sheep in 2005 and of course, greatly influenced by the late Willie Currie, better known as Uncle Willie.

Best Highland Show achievements?

The 2010 Highland Show has to stand out having secured the male champion and overall Beltex champion with the home-bred tup, Tiree Nutcracker.

We have also managed to get a few other rosettes under our belts over the years: reserve male and reserve female champion in 2008; male champion in 2013; reserve female in 2019 and reserve overall champion in 2018 with the second prize gimmer, Tiree Clover.

Biggest showing achievements?

It would need to be Beltex champion at the Highland, followed by the very well attended Kist party on the Saturday evening, would be hard to beat.

Although I have had some very successful days at Tiree Show too.

When can you tell it will be a show star?

You can spot one at a young age, but it is not a Show Star until it is picked out by the judge.

Best sale day?

The challenge is always to beat my previous average for our annual consignments of suckled calves or store lambs.

In Alasdair’s Beltex flock we have reached 15,000gns for a shearling tup and 8000gns for a tup lamb which is still proving to be a challenge to beat.

How do you select the best animal for sale?

With the calves, it is usually the biggest and heaviest that we offer for sale first with the lighter and younger calves kept for longer.

We sell our entire crop of cross lambs on the one day at Tiree in mid-August, therefore the key point is to batch them all as evenly as possible.

Which was the best animal you’ve ever shown?

A red Limousin cross heifer she was sired by Shatton Pedro and out of a black Irish cow. She won her class on numerous occasions and was champion three times at Tiree Show, as I kept her for a cow.

With the sheep, it would be the Beltex gimmer, Tiree Clover.

But what is the best animal you have ever seen?

I will always have a picture of Kilkenny Celia in my mind. However, I can’t forget the Limousin bullock The Lord of the Isles, bred on Tiree by Pat Boyd and shown by the late, Ewan MacPherson. As far as sheep go, Woodies City Girl.

Abiding memory?

In 2018 when Fraser, Alasdair and I were lined up for the Beltex reserve championship at the Highland Show with three second prize sheep and Alasdair’s gimmer was then pulled forward as overall reserve to Woodies City Girl.

Biggest disappointment?

I think losing an animal comes close, but one must move on.

Most influential person in your career?

Apart from my parents, I can’t separate any one person out as I have been fortunate to have had a lot of support and encouragement from many people.

Best stockman?

In the past it has to be the late, Ewan MacPherson. At present, I have a lot of respect for Richard Rettie and from the sheep world, it would be Johnny Aitken. Another has got to be Willie Currie who presented so many prize winners in various breeds and encouraged so many youngsters.

Favourite quote?

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

I would get rid of all the geese so our livestock could then get to eat some clean grass!

Best advice?

Set yourself up with the best stock possible, be patient and work hard and you will get there.

Best investment?

My stock and business are important, but it would be meaningless without my wife, Caroline and our two sons, Fraser and Alasdair and their respective partners – Fiona and Sarah Jane.

Judging experiences?

I have judged a few shows but judging Islay beef cattle and the Kintyre herd competition were a great honour for me due to the influence the stockmanship of both places had on me.

Problems in the industry?

That we are price takers rather than price makers.

Something you thought you would never achieve but have?

I have been very fortunate in that I have managed to achieve most things that I have set out to do.

Do you wish you had done anything different in your career?

I am quite content with what I’ve got, however I often wonder how it might have been if we farmed on the mainland.

Are you involved in any committees or have any hobbies?

My hobby is my livestock. I am involved with Tiree Rural Development, where the main role is maintaining the local mart.

I’m also on our local NFU branch and I was involved with Tiree Show for many years. In 2018-19 I was an area Director of RHASS.

Could you imagine your life without showing?

Yes, while I enjoy showing, a good show for me is to see top pens of livestock prepared for sale at a mart.

Future of the show circuit?

I think showing has got a great future as there are so many young and able stock people about. The downfall could be the cost behind it but where there is a will there is a way.