The last run of the day from Ewen Mackinnon’s Buddy at Lochcarron overtook the erstwhile leaders and avoided a run off.

The Cheviot cross Texel ewes were excellent to handle on a big, flat course if dogs lifted them cannily, but they could be difficult to shed and some good runs foundered there.

With two dogs tying for first place ahead of a closely packed, high scoring list, judge Hugh Munro anticipated a rerun between them to decide the winner until Ewen and Buddy came to the post and walked off in first place, a point ahead of the leaders.

Buddy (A McRae’s Fergus and Fern) worked steadily outbye and round the course until one ewe broke before Buddy successfully penned the packet and completed the winning run with a good shed that took a little time to achieve.

Jasmine Grant’s Pat (P Byrne’s Moss, and Bracken) worked cleanly outbye and on the course, but had a little more trouble at the pen than Buddy, but finished her run with a good shed.

Ian Wilkie’s Pip (R Hutchinson’s Sweep, I Wilkie’s Floss) followed a similar pattern with a good run, threatened by a break at the pen, which was successfully recovered and the run was completed with a good shed.

Dogs at Manor worked hard to navigate stroppy mule ewes on a big, flat course and some succeeded well, creating another high scoring prize list.

Andy Carnegie’s Suus (E Groot’s Preseli Roy, J Roos’ Bess) ran out cleanly to her sheep, lifted them and had an excellent fetch. Her drive was good with just minor wavers of the line and a clean pen and shed set the seal on the winning run.

Floyd Farthing’s Bell (D Howell’s Dick, L Howell’s Tytalwyn Lyn) went off from Floyd a little square at the start of her outrun, but once on line reached her sheep, lifted them cleanly and fetched them very well. Another good drive, similar to Suus’ followed and a clean pen and a good shed completed the run in second place.

Stuart MacFarlane’s Willow (C Davidson’s Cap, R Harris’ Jan) ran out cleanly to her sheep and lifted them nicely. Her fetch went well until the ewes wanted to take their own route round Stuart at the post, but Willow put them round and her drive matched those of the dogs above her on the list. A good pen and a clean shed finished the run in third place, only a point short of Bell.

With Bell’s sister Sal, earning fourth place, Floyd’s impromptu excursion to Manor added value to his previously arranged trip from Wales to Scotland.

LEADING awards

Lochcarron (Judge: H Munro, Inverness). Open – 48 ran –1, EC MacKinnon’s Buddy, Lochcarron, 97; 2, J Grant’s Pat, Dunbeath, 96 Outbye; 3, I Wilkie’s Pip, Tillypronie, 96; 4, F Fulford’s Nelly, Eracht, 95; 5, K Brehmer’s Thistledown Fern, New Bythe, 94; 6, J MacKillop's Zac, Fort Augustus, 93; 7, S Campbell’s Queen, Skye, 93; 8, K Brehmer’s Huthwaite Roy, New Bythe, 92. Ladies – J Grant’s Pat, Dunbeath, 96. Local – M Cameron’s Queen, Lochcarron.

Manor (Judge: P Turnbull, Debdon). Open – 52 ran – 1, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 95; 2, F Farthing’s Bell, Pontardawe, 92; 3, S MacFarlane’s Willow, Blairgowrie, 91; 4, F Farthing’s Sal, Pontardawe, 89; 5, A Stewart’s Malta Mollie, Lockerbie, 88; 6, J L’Etang’s Slip, Slamannan, 87; 7, A Stewart’s Ollie, Lockerbie, 86; 8, I Lockhart's Bill, Dalrymple, 85.

Northumberland League

Alwinton (Judge: J Fyall, Tarset). Open – 28 ran – 1, C Dickson’s Tom, Coldingham, 90; 2, P Telfer’s Gin, Haydon Bridge, 88; 3, C Balmbro’s Liz, Wooler, 85 Outbye; 4, K Preston’s Ross, Elsdon, 85; 5, E Foster’s Bess, Brotherston, 82 Outbye; 6, B Jordan’s, Bozo, Whitfield, 82.