Commercial champions take the top two at Caithness Show

The champion of champions title was bestowed on a commercial sheep group from Sibmister and Stainland Farms, ahead of a sparky cross Limousin heifer from Occumster.

The sheep group, a home-bred, three-crop Texel cross Cheviot Mule ewe with twin Texel cross ewes at foot, provided a sixth overall championship for the Sutherland family, who work the holdings, a couple of miles from the Thurso East showfield.

They have now won three with their cattle and another three with sheep, their last being with a Texel cross ewe lamb at the 2023 show in Wick.

Brothers Stephen and Kenneth and father Kenneth snr run 2000 cross ewes and 400 cross cattle.

Joining them in the celebrations was Kris Sutherland of no relation who helped with the major logistics of showing so many sheep and cattle

As well as the overall champion in the commercial competition, the family also topped the prime lambs and cross sheep sections.

Champion of champions judges, James and Joanna Swanson, of Hillhead Farm, Dunnet, plumped for the sheep representatives when they had that extra wow factor.

“They have very good lines,” said Mr Swanson. “I also liked their skin and how bright they looked.”

Graham Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster, with the reserve champion of champions, his supreme cattle champion and commercial cattle champion, Crusha, a February born Limousin cross heifer after a Sebay bull. (Image: Robert MacDonald)

The couple were also impressed with the reserve, the cattle leader, Crusha, from Graham Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster. This February-born heifer calf is out of the home-bred cow Ripple and is sired by a bull from Balfour Baillie’s Sebay Farm in Tankerness.

Mr Sutherland and his partner Vicky Shearer, who won the supreme title two years ago with their home-bred heifer, Jojo, run a 35-strong commercial herd.

Blackies got a rare piece of the limelight when Kirsty Grant’s two-crop ewe was picked as inter-breed reserve. Bought as a lamb from Stephen Duncan, Livet, she is by a £4000 Dyke sire.

Graham Sutherland might have had the sole representative of the Charolais in the cattle pens but his home-bred calf went all the way to life the reserve cattle honours. His Occumster Becca, is by Westcarse Houdini and out of Clyth Paris.

It proved a memorable day for Ruth Sutherland, of Balnasmurich, Watten, who won a trove of silverware with her nine-year-old sports horse Saint James.

The 16 hands high German Warmblood, by Monte Bellini and out of Elenca, won the horse ridden section before winning the light legged entry and taking the overall horse title.

The reserve horse title went to the Highland pony leader Dunedin Robyn, ridden by Jacky MacMillan, of East Durran, near Castletown. The eight-year-old mare bred by Anne Mitchell from Stirlingshire was bought by Mrs MacMillan as a two-year-old.

Making his by now annual appearance in the final line-up was Patrick, the Irish-bred donkey and his owner Robbie Streight, from Thrumster.

The 17-year-old was making his 14th successive appearance and was again the sole representative of its kind.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen Angus (Judge: H Sclater, Turriff). Champion - M Tait, Inkstack, Barrock, with the 16-month-old bull Inkstack Patriarch which was native champion at the previous week’s Latheron Show. He is by ONeills Black Bardolier, out of Inkstack Petura. Reserve - M Tait with the 16-month bull, Inkstack Pyrus, by the home bull, Fleming and out of a home-bred cow. Both were shown at the Black Beauty Bonanza breed show at Thainstone.

Highland cattle (Judge: H Sclater). Champion and reserve - Helen Laing, Cherry Tree Croft, Kildary. Supreme was the 15-month-old Dougal of Cherry Tree Croft, sired by Stuart of Cladich, He was champion at Latheron. Reserve was the 2023-born heifer Maighdean 17 of Hope

Ronnie Mackay, with the reserve supreme cattle champion from Graham Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster, who took the award with his Charolais champion, Occumster Becca, a March born heifer calf after West Carse Houdini. (Image: Robert MacDonald)

Charolais (Judge: H Sclater). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef - G Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster with Occumster Becca, a March 20260born heifer by Westcarse Houdini, out of Clyth Paris. Sole entry.

Simmental (Judge: H Sclater). Champion and inter-breed beef - J and Joanne Gunn, Lybster. Champion was the three-year-old heifer, Denizes Eunice 5, bought at the Next Gen sale at Carlisle, for 15,000gns after Jonathan placed the heifer champion. By Saltire Impressive and out of Denizes Eunice 2. She was shown withher three-month-old bull calf Caithness Trailblazer, by Omorga Noah at foot and was reserve at Latheron. Reserve - Sarah Sinclair, Upper Latheron, Latheron, with Newbiemains Shakira, a heifer by Islavale Jabba bought as a yearling from Jim Goldie.

Any other pure breed continental (Judge: H Sclater). Champion - Sophie Tucker, Wick, with the 18-month-old British Blue bull, Baltic Blue Ulani, sired by Heatherview Jack. Reserve - G Oag, Achiebeg, Shebster, with Brims Assassin, a 14-month-old Limousin by Haltcliffe Picasson out of Brims Tessa, the reserve cattle champion at the 2023 show.

Commercial cattle (Judge: H Sclater). Champion, inter-breed beef and reserve champion of champions - G Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster, with Crusha, a February-born Limousin cross out of the home-bred cow Ripple. It is sired by a bull from Balfour Baillie’s Sebay Farm, Tankerness, Orkney. Reserve - M Munro, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay with a February-born stot, that stood commercial champion and reserve inter-breed on her show debut at Latheron. Heifer; cow; heifer calf born Oct 1, 2025-April 30, 2026; cow/heifer and calf born after Jan 1, 2026; AI calf; AI animal – G Sutherland. Heifer born before May 31, 2025; heifer calf born after May 1, 2026; pen of three calves born after Jan 1, 2026 – C Mackay, East Murkle Farm Cottage, Murkle. Steer born before May 31, 2025 – M Munro. Steer born Jun 1-Sept 30, 2025 – G Begg, Bonnells, John O’Groats.

Young farmer calf competition (Judge: H Sclater). Pedigree calf born Mar 1-Sept 1, 2025 – W Oag, Achiebeg, Shebster. Commercial calf born Mar 1-Sept 1, 2025 – Du Munro, Kincardine Lodge, Ardgay.

Cattle young handlers’ competition (Judge: H Sclater).Aged 6-12yrs - Matthew Tucker, Wick. 13-15yrs - Robert Jenkins. Bower.

Suffolk (Judge: J Milne, Keith). Champion - A Brims, of Thuster House, by Wick with a shearling ram from his 30-ewe flock on its first outing. He is sired by Harpercroft Gladiator and a home-bred dam. Reserve - JB andL Swanson, East Murkle, with a ram lamb. Ewe, ewe lamb – JB and L Swanson. Gimmer – S Sinclair, Haven View, Lower Gills.

Half-bred (Judge: B Cockburn, Biggar). Champion - W Barnetson, Lynegar, Watten, with a gimmer bred by Fiona Anderson, Overton, and bought at the lamb sales at Quoybrae in August last year. Reserve - Alison Campbell, Glencroft, Glengolly, with pen of three April-born on their first outing. Ewe lamb - A Campbell.

Prime lambs (Judge: A Anderson, Duffus). Champion and reserve - Messrs Sutherland, Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Thurso, with two Suffolk cross lambs on their first outing and two Texel cross lambs, respectively. Two NCC or Half-breds, two any other continental-sired lambs – H Sutherland, Drummuie, Golspie. Two any other native-sired lambs – DA and K Douglas, Achnamoine, near Watten. Two novice continental-sired lambs – Iona Campbell, Winless Mains.

North Country Cheviot park-type (Judge: S Sleigh, Rothienorman). Champion - DN Campbell and Sons, Bardnaclavan, with a ewe lamb from their 500-strong ewe flock. The March-born entry is by Jacqueline Biggins Fixer and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve - J and W Mackay, Biggins, Wick with a ewe. Aged ram – Beth Thomson, Achscrabster, Westfield. Two-shear ram, shearling – J and W Mackay. Ram lamb, gimmer – DN Campbell and Sons.

NCC park groups (Judge: S Sleigh). Champion - J Henderson, 2 Seaview Cottages, Dunnet with three ram lambs. Reserve - D and A Campbell, Mill Farm Croft, Thrumster with three gimmers.

Kirsty Grant, Achavrole, Dunbeath, took the reserve supreme sheep championship with her Blackface champion, a 2 crop ewe after a £4000 Dyke tup. (Image: Robert MacDonald)

NCC hill (Judge: Martyn Cook, Scotscalder). Champion - Badanloch Estate, managed by Ian Matheson, with a late-born ewe lamb. She is by Badanloch Basher. Reserve - DN Campbell and Sons with a two-shear home-bred ram by Brachmont Cracker. Aged ram, shearling ram – Badanloch Estate. Ram lamb, gimmer – M Kirk, Hollandmake, Barrock. Ewe – A Campbell. Mill House, Stainland, Thurso.

Blackface (Judge: Harvey Stuart, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep - Kirsty Grant, of Braehillor, Dunbeath, with two-crop ewe bought from Stephen Duncan, Livet and sired by a £4000 Dyke. Reserve - A and S Sutherland, Bardnaheigh, Halkirk, with a two-crop ewe on her first outing, by Achdregnie Glenlivet, out of a home ewe. Aged ram, gimmer – A and S Sutherland, Shearling ram – Abby Miller, Rockhill, Latheron. Ram lamb, ewe lamb – M Macleod, Sordale, by Thurso.

Any other native (Judge: H Stuart). Champion - N Smith, Catchery, Watten, with a March-born Bluefaced Leicester ewe lamb, out of a Hillside-bred ewe. Reserve - A and S Sutherland with a South Country Cheviot gimmer by a Chatto ram and by a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, ram lamb, ewe – N Smith. Shearling ram – Kirstin Durke, The Rowans.

Commercial sheep (Judge: B Cockburn). Champion and champion of champions and reserve - Messrs Sutherland, Stainland and Sibmister, with a home-bred three-crop Texel cross Cheviot Mule ewe with twin Texel cross ewes at foot. Reserve was a Suffolk cross Half-bred ewe with Texel cross lambs at foot. NCC ewe or gimmer with lambs at foot – K Campbell, Winless Mains, by Wick. Any other native-sired ewe or gimmer with lambs at foot – WM Barnetson and Sons.

Cross sheep (Judge: A Anderson). Champion - Messrs Sutherland with a three-quarter-bred Texel ewe lamb which was champion lamb at Latheron. Reserve - WM Barnetson and Sons with a Texel cross ewe lamb. Ewe, gimmer – Messrs Sutherland.

Texel (MV) (Judge: J McKerrow, Tarves). Champion - A Gunn, The Sheian, Thurso with a gimmer by Castlecairn Humbug that was champion here last year. Reserve - A Gunn with a shearling ram. All classes - A Gunn.

Texel (non-MV) (Judge: J McKerrow). Champion - Messrs Bisset and Blackwood, Mill Farm, Durran, with a home-bred gimmer by a Lower Reiss ram. Reserve – D Dunnett, South Head, Wick, with a shearling ram bought as a lamb at Thainstone. First time out. Ram lamb – Messrs Bissett and Blackwood. Ewe lamb – C and W Budge, Upper Clayock, Halkirk.

Any other continental (Judge: D Alexander, Galston). Champion - J Munro and Son, Invercharron, with the two-shear Beltex ram, Todhall Kingmaker that stood fifth at the Royal Highland Show and reserve at Latheron. By Airyolland Goldmine, he is bred from Todhall February’s Finest. Reserve - J Munro and Son with the reserve winner from Latheron, Saltire Kim Kardashian, a Blue Texel gimmer by Saltire Blue Ferocious out of Saltire Blue Golden Girl. Shearling ram, ewe lamb – J Munro and Son. Ram lamb – K and N Mackay, Smithy House, East Mey. Ewe – DA and K Douglas.

Pure sheep group (Judge: P Gray, Galston). Champion - A Brims, Thuster Mains, with a group of Suffolks. Reserve - DN Campbell and Sons, Bardnaclavan with a group of park-type North Country Cheviots.

Clydesdale (Judge: Edith Gunn, West Lothian). Champion - M and Jacqueline Munro, Janetstown, Thurso with the bay mare Gersa Lady Lauren, a daughter of Arradul Balvennie out of West Glen Apple Blossom. The eight-year-old was reserve at last year’s show to her daughter Gersa Lady Georgina, that went on to win the supreme overall. Reserve - Isla Miller, Quarryside Croft House, Castletown with the yearling Burnbank Tiger King, by Dillars Caledonia, bought six months ago. Male – I Miller.

Any other heavy horse (Judge: E Gunn). Champion - Sine Nicolson with her five-year-old Clydesdale cross cob Stenrries View Hector. Reserve – Ashley Mclean, Thurso with Woodcock Prince Archie.

Shetland (Judge: Ann Irvine, Aberdeenshire). Millquoy Shetland Pony Stud, Orkney with Millquoy Jedi, an eight-year-old black stallion, by Drum Premier and out of Millquoy Jade. Second at the Royal Highland. Reserve - W and K Campbell, Mid Calder, Halkirk with Midcalder Iris, a 10-year-old yeld mare, by Millhouse Director out of Rashiburn Lady. Standard mare with foal - W and K Campbell. Yearling – Bethany Swanson, Framside, Calder. Filly – Kelly Peace, Toab, Orkney. Gelding – Isobel Cromarty, Burray, Orkney. Miniature - yearling, filly – Hannah Taylor, Mid Calder, Halkirk. Miniature mare – Abbie Burt, Wick. Coloured – Fearne McCarthy, Seafield View, Mey. Ridden, lead rein – K Peace. Young handler – A Burt.

Highland pony (Judge: Rebecca Chalmers, Perthshire). Champion - Mrs MacMillan, East Durran, with Dunedin Robyn, an eight-year-old mare ridden by Jacky MacMillan. The mare which bred by Anne Mitchell, Stirlingshire, is by Glenbanchor Macgillie Dhubd and out of Dunedin Rachel. Reserve – Amanda McLennan, Kirkjuvagr, Kirkwall, with Grace of Altnacailleach, an eight-year-old yellow dun yeld mare. Champion here and reserve supreme at Sutherland in 2023, she is by Moss-side Iain Mhor and out of Ruby of Altnacailleach. Yearling, two-three-year-old – Margaret Anderson, Broynach, Thurso. Senior gelding – Ashleigh Campbell, March Road, Wick. Stallion, in harness – Hazel Mackay, Loch Eriboll. Mare – Jade Cook, Dorrery, Halkirk. Foal – Ava Cook, Dorrery.

In hand (Judge: Patricia Stirling, Galashiels). Champion - I Miller with Kilgrange Northern Illusion. Reserve: Carolyn Riddell, Balbreck Farmhouse, Clayock with mountain and moorland leader Wrentfall Private Party.

Donkeys (Judge: E Gunn). Champion - Robert Streight, Thrumster with Irish-bred, 17-year-old Patrick.

Goats (Judge: Meg Sinclar, Dunbeath). Champion - Julie Gordon, Smithy Croft, Tongue with Tongue Waffle. Reserve - Claie Lowe Rampyards, Watten with Milly.