Father and son duo, Neil and Ali Christie, Balfron, had a field day at Doune and Dunblane Show, winning the supreme overall champion of champions with their home-bred Clydesdale mare, Dalfoil Lady Eliza.
A busy day of competitive livestock judging featuring no fewer than 16 sheep sections to include the inaugural Scottish National show of Dutch Spotted, nine cattle breeds and goats, eventually saw the five-year-old mare crowned supreme in front of a packed ringside audience.
Champion of champions judge, Colin Telfer, Fife, who earlier in the day also had to select the inter-breed winners in the beef cattle and sheep sections, was most impressed by the top winners. It was, however, the Clydesdale that shone out most.
“The Clydesdale caught my eye as soon as she came into the ring. She’s a great-looking horse and full of character,” said Mr Telfer, adding that his choice of reserve, the inter-breed cattle winner and the commercial best from Wilson Peters, wasn’t far behind.
Taking all the plaudits, the five-year-old yeld mare from the Christies, has been a prize winner all her days and already boasts championship honours at the Stallion Show in March and a red ticket at the Royal Highland. She is sired by Doura Lady Magic.
Reserve overall was Mr Peters’ Ophelia Butt from Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff. This 17-month-old Limousin cross heifer bred by John McAllister and bought as a calf at foot, stood ahead of the Limousin champion from Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, Bannockburn, for the inter-breed beef honours. Their Springsett Verynice, a two-year-old heifer is by the award-winning home-bred stock sire, Springsett President.
Mr Telfer also had to select the winning inter-breed beef pairs, which he found in a home-bred Charolais duo from Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth. Allanfauld Apple and Allanfauld Alabama are both sired by the jointly owned Falleninch Stormzy.
The home-bred Cairnbog Adore and Cairnbog Vagabond from Duncan Thomson’s Limousin herd from Kilsyth, lifted the reserve inter-breed beef pairs.
Supreme sheep was the lead Suffolk from Robert and Lynne Bryce and daughters Amy and Rebecca, Chalmerston, Stirling, with the blue and white sash presented to the champion Mule, a gimmer from Gavin Donald and Jardine Paterson, Strathaven.
“The Suffolk is an outstanding sheep and a great example of the breed with so much length, gigot and breed character,” said Mr Telfer adding that the Scotch Mule also boasted tremendous character.
Notably, the Suffolk, a home-bred one-crop ewe was following on from winning the same award at Perth, last year, while the Mule, which was bought at Castle Douglas and bred by Alec Brown, Macqueston, was champion at Ayr, in May.
Beltex from Andrew and Hilary Morton, daughter Kirsty and son also Andrew, Lochend, Denny, won the inter-breed group of three.
An added attraction amongst the sheep lines was the inaugural Scottish National Show of Dutch Spotted which attracted just shy of 100 entries for an accredited and non-accredited section. Ali Jackson’s Tiptop flock from Dumfriesshire produced the top two winners in the former, with young Ailsa McDougall (13), Millhouse, Kelty, bagging the champion and reserve in the latter.
LEADING awards
Dairy (Judge: W Bryson, Dykehead, Lesmahagow). Champion – T and J Gilliland, Nyadd, Stirling, with the Holstein, Craigforth Lambda Lady, a fourth calver by Farnear Delta Lambda out of a home-bred Craigforth cow on her first outing of 2026. First here in 2024, she calved in March and is giving 50litres per day. Reserve – R and Jean Graham, with Potterswalls Club Cash, a VG87-classified heifer in milk by Canadian Club, brought out by herd manager Leanne Bertram. Reserve junior champion at the Royal Highland, she calved 200 days previous and is giving 36litres per day. Bought privately from the Fleming family, Northern Ireland, the heifer made up part of the winning inter-breed dairy pairs with the second calver, Grahams Maverick Sherry. Holstein cow in calf, senior Holstein cow in milk, Holstein heifer in milk – T and J Gilliland. Any other heifer in milk, any other cow in milk, pair – R and J Graham.
Dairy young handlers (Judge: C Telfer, Fife). 1, Katy Bertram; 2, Georgie Bertram; 3, Laughlan Gray.
Native beef cattle (Judge: R McNee, Over Finlarg, Dundee). Champion – 1, D Ralston, Castlehill, Torrance, Glasgow, with the 14-month-old Aberdeen Angus bull, Bankier Bossman, a son of Tonley Rancher out of Bankier Blackbird on his first outing. Reserve - R and C and J Rettie, Dyke Farm, Slammanan, with Brailes Lady Ruth, an October 2024-born Aberdeen Angus heifer by Tonley Ranald, out of Retties Lady Ruth. Inter-breed beef champion at Fife Show, first at the Royal Highland. Heifer - R and C and J Rettie. Bull – D Ralston.
Hereford (Judge: R McNee). Champion – G and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, with the five-year-old cow, Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiara, a daughter of Normanton Laertes out of Harveybros 1 Crocus L4 shown with end of April-born heifer calf at foot. Champion at Stirling last month, she was a successful show winner as a heifer. Sole entry.
Highland (Judge: R McNee). Champion – Star Lake Cattle Company, Alva, with the two-year-old ET-bred heifer, Lucie 2 of Star Lake on her show debut brought out by Dexter and Carolyn Logan. Bred from Black Watch Lucie, her sire is STR Revolution. Sole entry.
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: R McNee). Champion and reserve – J and Emma Wightman, Coxhill, Falkirk. Supreme was the January 2024-born heifer, Islahill Vera, a daughter of the stock bull, Burllie Remington out of Barnaigh Lovely Xquisite 14, that was second at the Royal Highland and a member of the inter-breed team of four. She was also reserve junior female at the National, last year. Reserve was the February 2025-born heifer, Islahill Wispa by the same sire and out of Islahill Sapphire. She was best heifer calf in the Scottish Herds competition last year and placed at the Royal Highland last month. Two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – J and E Wightman.
Charolais (Judge: R McNee). Champion – A and J MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, with the April 2025-born heifer, Allanfauld Apple, a daughter of Falleninch Stormzy out of Westcarse Linda. Inter-breed beef champion at Campsie Show, she was second at the Royal Highland and Drymen and was brought out by Gregor Milne and Fletcher Russell. Apple made up part of the winning inter-breed beef pairs alongside Allanfauld Alabama, also by Stormzy. Reserve – A Hornall, Falleninch, Stirling, with the January 2025-born heifer, Falleninch Astrid. She is by the French-bred sire, Falleninch Sesame, a son of Picador, out of Falleninch Suzie and was brought out by Stephen Taylor. Yearling heifer – A and J MacGregor. Bull – A Hornall.
Limousin (Judge: R McNee). Champion – D McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, Lower Greenyards, Bannockburn, with Springsett Verynice, an April 2024-born home-bred heifer by the Gunnerfleet Lion son, Springsett President, out of Springsett Osonice. Inter-breed junior female champion at Perth Show last year, she was paraded in calf to Loosebeare Fantastic. Reserve – G and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, with Harveys Artfuldodger, a 13-month-old bull by Anside Flint, out of Harveys Sugar Fizz. He was first at Drymen Show. Bull – G and S Harvey. Heifer – D McBeath and SJ Jessop. Calf, pair – D Thomson, Cairnbog.
Commercial cattle (Judge: R McNee). Champion – W Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff, with Ophelia Butt, a 17-month-old Limousin cross heifer bred by John McAlister that was bought as a calf at foot at Stirling. She is sired by an Easegillhead bull and is out of a Limousin cross British Blue cross cow. Reserve – A and Susan Campbell, Crawlaw, Galston, with Miss Dynamite, a 16-month-old British Blue cross heifer bought at Carrick on Shannon. She was first at Ayr. Bullock born after September 1, 2024, steer born before September 1, 2024, heifer born before September 1, 2024 – W Peters. Heifer born after January 1, 2024 – A and S Campbell.
Goats (Judge: Irene McCreath, Kirkinner). Champion and reserve – Beth Fairley, Avonbridge. Champion was the British second kidder running through, Ballingall Roxy which was reserve at the Royal Highland last month and champion at Dumfries and the Border Union in 2025. She is sired by Linnavon Linneaus and out of Ballingall River. Reserve was Ballingall Tansy, an Anglo Nubian first kidder sired by Marsh Valley Appollo and out of Ballingall Tawny. She was first at the Royal Highland and Angus. Anglo Nubian milker, coloured milker, white goatling, Anglo Nubian goatling, Anglo Nubian kid– B Fairley. Coloured goatling – KR Fraser. Pygmy goat – Shannon Douglas.
Beltex (Judge: J Barclay, Maybole). Champion – A Morton and family, Lochend, Denny, with Callacrag Jesus, a three-shear ram by Callacrag Hotshot that was second at the Royal Highland and champion at Stirling. He was bought for 18,000gns and is shared with Grant Maxwell, Faughhill. Reserve – A and J MacGregor, Allanfauld, with Lakeview Jinx, a two-crop ewe bred by Gary Beacom that was champion at Drymen and reserve at Stirling. She is by Lurg Grand Slam and bred from a Rathbone-bred ewe. Aged ram, shearling ram, gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – A Morton and family. Ewe – A and J MacGregor.
Blackface (Judge: W McClymont, Selkirk). Champion and reserve – R and Mairi Paterson, Dunruchan, Muthill, Crieff, with a gimmer and two-shear ram respectively. The gimmer which was third at Perth last year, is sired by a £3000 Dalblair and out of a ewe by a £5000 Dalblair. Reserve was a Parkhall ram bred by Andrew Provan and bought at Lanark last year for £3000 as a shearling. He is sired by a £7000 Dalchirla. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – R and M Paterson. Ram lamb – S McDougall, Millhouse, Kelty.
Border Leicester (Judge: D Clark, Lanarkshire). Champion – Jenna Reid, Calf Park, Dumfries, with a two-shear ram bought at Thainstone last year from Jimmy Douglas. Clola Cruiser, a son of Piperhole Eye Catcher was placed at the Royal Highland last month. Reserve – D Whyte, Newton Mearns, Glasgow, with a home-bred gimmer by Muirmouth 50, out of a ewe by Clola Double Deal. Third at the Royal Highland and a member of the winning group. Aged ram – J Reid. Ewe, gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – D Whyte.
Commercial sheep (Judge: J Barclay). Champion and reserve – G Whyte, Lintibert, Muthill, Crieff, with home-bred Beltex cross entries. Champion was a three-crop ewe shown with February-born twin lambs at foot that were second at the Royal Highland. Reserve was a pair of February-born ewe lambs by a Callacrag sire that stood second and fourth at Ingliston. Two ewes – Kim Stretch, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff. Two lambs, ewe and lambs, single prime lamb – G Whyte. Two lambs born after April 1 – J and J Frame.
Any other continental (Judge: D Clark). Champion – Morgan Kay, Denny, with Jems Kooky, a Blue Texel gimmer bought at the Thainstone Christmas Classic from Jennifer Duncan. She is sired by Dragon Jupiter and was second at Stirling. Reserve – G Hendry, Back O’Muir, Bannockburn, with a January-born Blue Texel ewe lamb that was reserve at Drymen. She is sired by Stephick James Bond. Aged ram, ram lamb – Amy Wallace Riddle. Ewe, ewe lamb – G Hendry. Gimmer – M Kay.
Scotch Mule (Judge: S McClymont, Selkirk). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – G Donald and J Paterson, East Dykes, Strathaven, with a gimmer bred by Alec Brown, Maqueston, and bought at Castle Douglas in a pen. Champion at Ayr Show and third at the Royal Highland, she is sired by a £32,000 Skelgate ram. Reserve – J and Elaine Duncan, Drumheldric, Milton of Campsie, with a ewe lamb by a Dawyck sire and out of a Letar-bred ewe bought at Stirling. Gimmer – G Donald and J Paterson. Ewe lamb – J and E Duncan.
Scottish National Dutch Spotted Show (Judge: M Girvan, Mossclair, Orkney). Champion and reserve – A Jackson, Maulscastle, Annan. Supreme was Tiptop Izzy, a home-bred gimmer shown by Ciaran Findlater. This ET is bred from Tiptop Felise ET and sired by Whatmore Forty Winx ET. Reserve at the Royal Highland and champion at the English National at Cumberland, last month. Reserve was Tiptop Encor, a four-crop ewe that won the triple crown in 2024. Another ET-bred female, she is sired by Tiptop Diablo and bred from an imported Bellino ewe. Aged ram, ram lamb – Lara Reid, Calf Park, Dumfries. Shearling ram, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – A Jackson.
Scottish National Dutch Spotted non-accredited (Judge: M Girvan). Champion and reserve – Ailsa MacDougall (13), Millhouse, Kelty. Champion was the February-born ewe lamb Millhouse Jasmine, a daughter of Lochlad Hamish out of a Carlaustan-bred ewe. She was third at West Fife Show. Reserve was Millhouse Izzy, a gimmer by a Carlaustan-bred ram out of the same ewe as the champion. She was also third at West Fife. Ram lamb, ewe lamb, gimmer, group of three – A McDougall. Ewe – G Tyrone.
Kerry Hill (Judge: Catherine Kewley, Lochmaben). Champion and reserve – Angie and S Burgess, New Abbey, with an aged ram and gimmer, respectively. Champion was Downwood Dewi, a three-shear ram by Lowlands Cody, that was male champion and a member of the inter-breed champion pair at the Royal Highland Show. Reserve was Top Spot Feral Beryl, a home-bred gimmer by Pentrenant Choir Boy, out of Top Spot Dirty Dancer that was second at the Royal Highland. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer, ram lamb – A and S Burgess. Ewe lamb – J and E Duncan, Drumheldric.
Shetland (Judge: S Alker, Yorkshire). Champion – D Alcorn and G Ingram, Annavale, Biggar, with a previously unshown white gimmer. Annavale Ingeniouss is sired by Muncaster Felix and out of Passion of Penlon. Reserve – Fiona and A Hipwell, Kinross, with Sovereign of Cockairney, a grey katmoget home-bred shearling ram by East Mains Archie, out of a home-bred ewe. Ram, ewe lamb, group of three – F and A Hipwell. Ewe, gimmer, ram lamb – D Alcorn and G Ingram.
Suffolk (Judge: John Barclay). Champion and inter-breed sheep and reserve – R Bryce, Chalmerston, Stirling, with a home-bred one-crop ewe that was inter-breed sheep champion at Perth last year and reserve supreme sheep at Gargunnock this year. She is sired by the Kelso purchase, Sitlow Superstar and out of a home-bred ewe by Redbrae Jagerbomb. Reserve was a home-bred gimmer by the same sire that was first at Drymen and Gargunnock. Aged ram – Lorna Ward. Ewe, gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – R Bryce.
Texel (Judge: Dye Clark). Champion – A and J MacGregor, Allanfauld, with a home-bred gimmer that was third at the Royal Highland on her sole previous outing. She is sired by Duncryne Houdini and bred from a ewe by Teiglum Exocet. Reserve – Kirsty Cameron, Penicuik, with a shearling ram from her 30-strong Sunart flock. The tup which was reserve at Stirling and fourth at the Royal Highland was bought in utero of an Auldhouseburn gimmer at the Select Seven Sale at Lanark. The sire is Milnbank High Voltage. Ram – K Cameron. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – A and J MacGregor. Ram lamb, group of three – Kim Stretch, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff.
Valais Blacknose (Judge: B Goldie, Dumfries). Champion – R and Katrina Taylor, Whiterigg, Falkirk, with Whiterigg Mari, a gimmer by Whiterigg K2 out of the privately purchased Jumble Irma. A red ticket holder at several events in 2025, she was placed at the Royal Highland last month. Reserve – Cat Losty, Meikle Westland, Cumnock, with Nithsdale Nivalis, a January-born ewe lamb by West Morland Ken Dodd out of the privately purchased Lime Kuala. She was reserve female at the Royal Highland. Ram, gimmer, ram lamb – R and K Taylor. Ewe – Ela Kennedy. Ewe lamb – C Losty.
Zwartbles (Judge: C Duffy, Stranraer). Champion – A Baird, Dunblane, with Greystone Noodle, a home-bred gimmer by Tardoes Sanny out of Greystone Lonestar on her first outing. Bound for the breed sale at Carlisle. Reserve – B Gibson, Gartocharn, with the January-born ram lamb, Conic Paddington, which is to be retained for breeding. First at Gargunnock, his pedigree features Statesman Nijinsky and Conic Lollipop. Aged ram – D Henderson. Shearling ram, gimmer – A Baird. Ewe, ewe lamb, ram lamb, group of three – B Gibson.
Cheviot (Judge: Roderick Runciman, Galashiels). Champion and reserve – W Heads, Aitkenhead, Fenwick. Champion was the three-crop ewe, Heather, bred by the late Tom Kerr. Bought privately in 2022 and sired by a Broomhillbank sire, she was champion of champions at Braco and breed champion Perth in 2024. The ewe was on her first outing of the year. Reserve was Bardnaclavan Fernando, a two-shear ram by Benrafton Drives Me Crazy. Male champion at the Royal Highland, he was bought at Lockerbie from the Campbell family last year. Aged ram, ewe, ram lamb, group of three – W Heads. Gimmer, ewe lamb – Pam Tapson, Monzie, Gilmerton, Crieff.
Any other breed native (Judge: John Barclay). Champion – Lara McLeod, Wester Dunsyston, Chapelhall, Airdrie, with Dunsyston Jasmin, a Clun Forest gimmer by Nipna Harvey out of Derwent Gazelle. She was champion at Carnwath, last year. Reserve – Kiah Burgoyne, Forfar, with a Poll Dorset ewe lamb. Ram, gimmer – L McLeod. Ewe, ram lamb, ewe lamb – K Burgoyne.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: John Barclay). Champion – Hunter Dunn; reserve – Angus Burgess. Junior 2-6yrs – 1, Callum Kennedy; 2, Willow Kerr; 3, Connie Kennedy. 6-11yrs – 1, Angus Burgess; 2, Iona McDougall; 3, Neil Barclay. 11-16yrs – 1, Hunter Dunn; 2, Ailsa McDougall; 3, Jamie Dunn.
Clydesdales (Judge: Edith Gunn, West Lothian). Champion and overall champion of champions – N and A Christie, Balfron, with the five-year-old yeld mare, Dalfoil Lady Eliza, sired by Doura Magic Touch and out of Littleward Doreen. Champion at the Stallion Show in March and a red ticket holder from the Royal Highland Show last month, this home-bred mare was also champion at Braco Show in 2025. Reserve - K Wilson, Blueton, Greenloaning, Braco, with the yearling filly, Parkfield Heather Grey bred by Joe Lloyd. She is sired by Collessie ET and bred from Blueton Grace. Champion at Gargunnock and third at the Royal Highland. Yeld mare – N and A Christie. Brood mare – P Keron. Two-year-old filly – J Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Stirling. Yearling filly – K Wilson. Colt foal – A Jackson, Thankerton. Ridden – R Melvin.
Shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks (Judge: M Playfair, Kelso). Champion – A Warwick. Novice champion – S Marshall. Walking sticks – Plain horn – 1 and 2, A Warwick; 3, I Paterson. Fancy horn – 1 and 3, A Warwick; 2, I Paterson. Plain buffalo horn – 1, 2 and 3, A Warwick. Fancy buffalo horn – 1, A Warwick; 2, J Currie; 3, A Dent. Wood, plain or fancy – 1, A Warwick; 2, I Paterson; 3, R Russell. Leg cleek – 1 and 2, A Warwick; 3, A Dent. Sportsman stick – 1, A Warwick; 2, A Dent; 3, J Bryce. Crooks – Plain or fancy horn – 1 and 2, A Warwick; 3, I Paterson. Plain or fancy wood – 1 and 2, A Warwick; 3, A Dent. Thumb stick horn or wood – 1 and 2, A Warwick; 3, A Dent. Novice horn stick – 1, 2 and 3, S Marshall. Novice wood stick – 1, S Marshall; 2 and 3, J Reidy.
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