Ian Sutherland's Dan takes the win at Sutherland county trial

Ian’s Dan (Hielan Cap) (J MacDiarmid’s Rab, T Robertson’s Ruby) was clean outbye, but for a slow lift. He had a slight waver on the first leg of the drive and a wide turn through the cross drive gate. A clean pen and shed followed, putting Dan in contention for first place, confirmed in the run off.

Michael’s Heilan Rab (T Robertson’s Dahl and Dot) started off well outbye with just a small wiggle on the fetch, and his drive was good, despite a slight waver with the Cheviot gimmers approaching the cross drive gate. The effort to pen threatened the good work on the course, but a good shed completed the run on level ranking with Dan’s, but taking second place.

Stuart Davidson was in top form at Fort Augustus with Dan and Mack taking the two top slots.

Dan (RW Harris’ Flynn and Straid Joe) started out a little wide on his outrun, but landed on the spot behind his Cheviot gimmers. He kept good lines on the course, with a slight waver on the first leg of the drive. He worked well to pen his packet and a clean shed set the seal on his winning run.

Mack (A McCulloch’s Sam, M Dempster’s Straid Jan) ran out and lifted his sheep nicely although he was a little off line on the fetch before he put them through the gate. His drive went well, and once more he dealt well with the reluctance of the gimmers to go into the pen and another good shed completed his run in second place.

Clun Cheviot gimmers proved tricky to handle on an uphill sloping course at Teviothead, drawing towards the exhaust pen on the fetch, the turn and the first leg of the drive, and they were very hard to pen.

Sandy McCulloch’s Breynor Juno (A McCulloch’s Sam, BC Lester’s Jill) took a whistle on her outrun to reach her sheep, but lifted them nicely. She had to work to keep them en route for the fetch, the turn around Sandy and away on to the drive, but she managed that and had a good cross drive and a nice turn out to the return. The pen took time, so a hurried shed completed the winning run before the timekeeper could.

Leading Awards

Fort Augustus (Judge: J Ogston. Killin). Open – 50 ran – 1, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 96; 2, SL Davidson’s Mack, Sandbank, 94; 3, I Wilkie’s Skye, Tillypronie, 93; 4, P Martin’s Holly, Glenlyon, 92 outbye; 5, J MacKillop’s Hillrunner Garry, Invermoriston, 92; 6, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 91. Novice – L Cameron’s Zac, Borlum. Confined – 1, J MacKillop’s Hillrunner Garry, Invermoriston, 92; 2, J MacKillop’s Glen, Invermoriston, 82; 3, K Strachan’s Mirk, Roybridge, 77.

Watten (Judge: A MacLean, Tain). Open – 36 ran – 1, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 94; 2, I Wilkie’s Skye, Tillypronie, 91; 3, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 89 outbye; 4, I Sutherland’s Dan (Hielan Cap), Strathnaver, 89; 5, I Wilkie’s Leah, Tillypronie, 87; 6, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 81.

Mey (Judge: T McPhee, Wick). Open – 38 ran – 1, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 91; 2, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 90; 3, I MacDonald’s Ben, Staffin, 89; 4, I Sutherland’s Dan (Hielan Cap), Strathnaver, 87 outbye; 5, P Martin’s Holly, Glenlyon, 87; 6, M Cook’s Glen, Halkirk, 83. County –1, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 91; 2, M Cook’s Glen, Halkirk, 83 outbye; 3, M Cook’sTweed, Halkirk, 83; 4, D Simpson’s Ellie, Barrock, 78; 5, D Worthington’s Buzz, Skarfskerry, 72; 6, K Thorburn’s Daul, Barrock, 64.

Sutherland county, Golspie (Judge: G Simpson, Forgue). Open – 30 ran –1, I Sutherland’s Dan (Hielan Cap), Strathnaver, 90 run off; 2, MC Shearer’s Heilan Rab, Westfield, 90; 3, M Grant’s Lass, Forss, 88; 4, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 85; 5, T McPhee’s Scott, Wick, 80; 6, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 77.

Westruther (Judge: C Balmbro, Wooler). Open – 36 ran – 1, C Dickson’s Tom, Yarrow, 86 outbye; 2, IM Brownlie’s Lark, Dunbar, 86; 3, A Dawidowicz’s Moy, Dunsyre, 78 outbye; 4, IM Brownlie’s Tod, Dunbar, 78; 5, D Wallace’s Taz, Blyth Bridge, 76; C Dickson’s Bill, Yarrow 65. Novice – J Murtagh’s Moss, Dunbar.

Teviothead (Judge: D Robertson, Langholm). Open – 32 ran – 1, A McCulloch’s Brynoer Juno, Dalmellington, 83; 2, H Brown’s Mainstay Pip, Coulter, 82; 3, C Mellin’s Mac, Oakworth, 79; 4, C Caerts’ Rob, Biggar, 78; 5, C Mellin’s Moor Lodge Ben, Oakworth, 69; 6, I Griffith’s Cap, Newcastleton, 67. Novice – J Murtagh’s Moss, Dunbar.

Mull (Judge: SL Davidson, Sandbank). Open – 28 ran – 1, C Mellin’s Mac, Oakworth, 80; 2, A Temple’s Rita, Holmrook, 77; 3, J MacKillop’s Glen, Invermoriston, 76; 4, K Freeman’s Kay, Killin, 73; 5, K Freeman’s Meg, Killin, 68; 6, C Mellin’s Moor Lodge Ben, Oakworth, 67. Local – J Shanks’ Link, Ardtornish.

Northumberland League

Waite Farm (Judge: JJ Pattinson, Roman Wall). Open – 32 ran –1, B Jordan’s Chase, Whitfield, 96; 2, P Telfer’s Bizz, Haydon Bridge, 94; 3, M Elliott’s Nell, Lazonby, 90; 4, M Davidson’s Glen, Lilburn, 75 outbye; 5, P Ellis’ Tip, Kendal, 75; 6, W van Dongen’s Delta, Carlisle, 74. Novice – J Moscrop’s Flick, Newcastle.