Judge Peter Gray, Scrogtonhead, covered some 400 miles to select his top winners from 15 flocks in the North of Scotland Texel Club competition, which saw William Knox and sons Graeme and Andrew win the supreme with their Haddo flock from Fyvie.

The Knox' who first won the large flock section, also won the award for the best pen of ewe lambs.

Reserve was the second prize large flock from Matthew Seed, Auchry Home Farm.

LEADING awards

Small flocks – Ewe lambs – 1 WJ and M Hunter (Hunters flock); 2 J Green (Drumburn); 3, E Mutch (South Kinmundy)

Medium flocks – Ewe lambs – 1, B Buchan jnr (Clinterty); 2, G Morrison (Deveronvale); 3, S Barclay (Harestone).

Large flocks – Ewe lambs – 1 and champion pen of ewe lambs, WJ Knox (Haddo); 2, R and K Davidson (Corsairtly); 3, R Blackhall (Sheeoch).

Small flock – Champion, WJ and M Hunter (Hunters); reserve, J Green (Drumburn); 3= K Ingram and K Duthie (Aultmore and Caterthun)

Medium flock – Champion, G Morrison (Deveronvale); reserve, S Barclay (Harestone); 3, J Green (Corskie).

Large flock – Champion, WJ Knox (Haddo); reserve, M Seed (Auchry); 3, R and K Davidson (Corsairtly).

Stock ram – Champion, S Barclay's Mellor Vale Déjà Vu; reserve = A Rae's Knock Dexter and O Donald's Campsie Donald.

Read more: Stockmen of out time: Jeff Aiken, of the Procters flock