The rain held off for another tremendous Black Isle Show where the five-year-old Highland mare, Loandhu Tiger Lily, proved the star attraction when taking the supreme champion of champions title at the Muir of Ord showground.
Brought out by Alan Munro, the home-bred mare on her second outing stood out amongst the champions from all other sections.
Overall judge Rod McKenzie, Muirton, was most impressed by the line-up of champions. He said: “I came here hoping I would find the one with the wow factor, but all the animals today had the wow factor. But it was the horse the stood out the most. She is a stunning animal for a five-year-old. The way she moved was smooth as silk and she oozed quality.”
The mare was competing against was the overall cattle champion, Clury Aston, a previously unshown April 2025-born Limousin bull from the Cruickshank family. He is by Glenrock Matrix, out of Clury Patsy and is bound for the February Bull Sales.
Taking reserve honours in the cattle lines was the champion from the National Simmental Show, Lagavaich Rosie, a November 2025-born heifer by Saltire Impressive from Billy and Gary Wright’s small but select herd from Glenlivet.
In the sheep lines it was the park-type Cheviot Belmaduthy Ella from Jo Gall’s Belmaduthy flock, Munlochy that took the inter-breed title. A two-crop ewe by a Broomhill bank Commander she was reserve at Turriff and placed at the Royal Highland.
Inter-breed sheep judge Robert MacDonald, Grantown-On-Spey said: “The Cheviot is a very correct ewe with a lot of presence. She is a great example of the breed and a what makes a good ewe.”
Reserve inter-breed sheep was a one-crop Loanhead Charollais ewe from Gregor and Bruce Ingram family, Logie Durno, Inverurie. Fresh from winning the inter-breed honours at Turriff, she is by the 16,000gns Foxhill Va Va Voom and was breed champion at the Royal Highland.
A ewe lamb from Roy and Sheena McFarlane and daughter Lorna’s Lecropt flock won the National Hampshire Down show. Lecropt Pixie, which is by Normandy Highlander was placed at the Royal Highland.
LEADING awards
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: N Massie jnr, Aboyne). Champion – D Walker, Galcantry, Cawdor with the February 2024-born Galcantry Edwina sired by Kilmaluag Lord Black Beauty and out of Galcantray Edwina N685. Third at the Royal Highland and reserve at Nairn. Reserve – Hannah Heerema, Balavail House, Kingussie with the two-year-old Balavailhouse Lord Hugo, a two-year-old bull by Balavailhouse RFK out of Balavailhouse Lady Heather. Champion at Sutherland, Nairn and male champion at Fife. Second at Royal Highland. Senior bull, pair, group – Hannah Heerema. Junior bull – M and M Robertson. Cow – H Polson. Senior heifer, junior heifer – D Walker. Calf – E Campbell.
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: C Clark, Rattray). Champion – G Stephen, Hatton Farm, Dallas with the home-bred 16-month-old bull, Glendual Warrior by Rasputin Upsall, out of Dunsyre Daisy Gresa 15. Champion at Nairn. Reserve – S and M Mackenzie, Auchmore, Muir of Ord with the first calver Auchmore Vienna, by Napoleon of Upsall and out of Auchmore Vienna. Shown here as heifer calf. Her calf is the February-born Auchmore Yanna by Glenisla Excalibur 803. Senior bull, senior heifer, group – S and M Mackenzie. Junior bull, junior heifer – G Stephen.
Charolais (Judge: Mr A Drysdale, Blairgowrie). Champion – A and A Wright, Glenlivet, with the home-bred in-calf heifer Lagavaich Violet which was paraded in calf to Stranagone Verynice. Heifer is sired by Thurso Sebastian and out of a home-bred cow. Champion at Turriff. Reserve – B Duffton, Huntly, with the three-year-old cow Utopia Unique, by Stranagone Reagan, out of Utopia Jacqueline. She was shown with her Thrunton Fairfax-sired bull calf at foot having won multiple championships last year. Champion at Fettercairn and reserve at Echt this year and reserve at Turiff. Cow, calf – B Duffton. Senior heifer, junior heifer, pair – A and A Wright.
Limousin (Judge: AR Lindsay, Bathgate). Champion – WF Cruickshank and Sons, Clury, Grantown on Spey, with the April 2025-born junior bull Clury Aston, by Glenrock Matrix and out of Clury Patsy. Bound for February Bull Sales. Reserve – S Mitchell, Bencraig, Aberlour with the 14-month-old heifer Bencraig Abba by stock bull Gallery Stannis and out of Bencraig Ruth. First at Turriff and New Deer. Senior bull, cow, senior heifer, pair – L Mackay. Junior bull, calf – W Cruickshank. Junior heifer, group – Kate Mitchell.
National Simmental show (Judge: T Henderson, Crieff). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – A and A Wright, Glenlivet, with the home-bred November-born heifer Lagavaich Rosie by Saltire impressive and out of Redhill Iris. First at Turriff. Reserve – Delfur Farms, Rothes, with Delfur Nifty an eight-month-old calf sired by the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum, out of Delfur Nifty. Won her class at most of the shows in the north. Senior bull, junior bull – JC MacIver. Intermediate bull – WS Stronach. Cow, heifer born Jan-Mar 2025, heifer born Jul-Dec 2025 – Delfur Farms. Junior cow – J and J Gunn. Heifer born Apr-Jun 2024 – G Rhind. Heifer born Jul-Dec 2024 – A and A Wright. Heifer born Apr-Jun 2025 – A, Y and C Leedham. Calf – R Simmers.
Commercial cattle (Judge: Mr C MacKay, Castletown). Champion – M and M Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with BB, an 18-month-old Limousin cross British Blue cross heifer bred by Balfour Baillie, Orkney, bought at the Thainstone Spectacular. She is sired by Redriver Powerful. Champion at Stirling, Echt and Banchory. Reserve – B Duffton, Huntly, with Bumble, a December 2024-born Limousin cross bullock bought from Finn Christie at the Young Farmers’ Overwintering competition at Thainstone for £5500 in April. He was bred by Gordon Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran. Reserve at Banchory and Stirling. Cow, cow/heifer with calf – B Duffton. Senior bullock, senior heifer, intermediate bullock, pair, group – M and M Robertson. Intermediate heifer – Lily Smith. Junior bullock, junior heifer – M and Debby Munro. Confined cow, confined calf – S and M Mackenzie.
Highland (Judge: D Dempster, Bridge of Cally). Champion – Leys Castle Farm, Inverness, with the three-year-old heifer Lora 2 Leys, by Dougald 2 of Leys and out of Lora 6 of Mottistone. She was sold by Leys at 8500gns at Oban to German breeder Falco Steinberg but remains at Leys Castle. Reserve at Nairn and champion here as a yearling. Reserve – Coul Estate Partnership, Laggan with the 18-month-old Seamus Dubh 1 of Coul, by Eilean Dubh of Craigomill and out of Betty Dubh of Craigomill 11. Junior male champion at the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh and male champion at the Great Yorkshire. Bull, junior heifer – Coul Estate Partnership. Cow, calf – Lexi Cameron. Intermediate heifer, senior heifer – H Saggers. Pair – Hazel Mackenzie Young.
AOB beef (Judge: A Dysdale, Blairgowrie). Champion – Coul Estate Partnership, Laggan with the British Blue, Solway View Tate (ET) purchased last year for 50,000gns at Carlisle, sired Boherard Overdose out of Solway View Katie (ET). AOB champion at Nairn. Reserve – B Duffton, Huntly with the four-year-old in-calf British Blue cow, Harelaw Star bred by Jean MacKay, sired by Henlli Wishmaster and out of Woodend Leonna. Champion at Fettercairn. Male – Coul Estate Partnership. Female – B Duffton.
Rare and minority breeds (Judge: C Clark, Rattray). Champion – Alana Clark, Huntly, with the Belted Galloway bull Barwise Ergo, bought for 6000gns at Skipton. Reserve – Alana Clark, Huntly, with Belted Galloway heifer, Millenium Pearl, purchased at Dingwall. She is by Staffords Gordon and out of Balcorrach Oyster. Reserve at Banchory and champion at Black Isle in 2025. All classes – Alana Clark.
Clydesdales (Judge: J Anderson, Carmyllie). Champion – D and B Walker, Galcantry with theyearling filly Galcantray Lola by Thropehill Quick Glash and out of Willow Way Sizeall. Reserve at Kirkpatrick and first at the National Stallion Show. Reserve – Agnes Jackson, The Boat Clydesdales, Lanark with the three-year-old filly, Boat Lady Roberta by Dillars Ollie and out of Westglen Rambling Rose. Third at the Royal Highland. Senior gelding, yearling filly – D and B Walker. Yeld mare, colt foal – Agnes Jackson. Brood mare, filly foal – Louise Tulloch. Filly two years – S Johnstone. Mare or gelding in cart harness, clean harness, decorated harness – A Young.
Highland ponies (Judge: J Reid, Insch). Champion, overall native horse and champion of champions – A Munro, Tain with the home-bred five-year-old mare Loandhu Tigerlily, by Strathmore Cameron and out of Wendy Rose of Strathmore. Second outing. Reserve – Clare Molyneux with the five-year-old George of Meggernie by Brae of Shanquar and out of Catrina of Meggernie, shown by Heather MacLennan. Champion at Nairn. Colt two to three years, brood mare, foal, yeld mare, pair – A Munro. Gelding – Clare Molyneux. Gelding two to three years – Kaitlyn Sutton. Yearling colt or gelding – Donna Milne. Filly two to three years, yearling filly – Margaret Anderson. Working harness – Eve Nicoll. Ridden – Heather Whitney.
Shetland ponies standard (Judge: E Warren, Kinross). Champion – Renee Swan and Annabelle Pathybridge, Teanahaun Croft, Conon bridge with the three-year-old filly Stow Lady VI, by Combebank Defender and out of Stow Lady Violet. Champion at Nairn and Sutherland. Reserve – Donna Lochtie, Glenfarg, with the 16-year-old home-bred Lady Dionne by Stow Vulcan and out of Hawkdale Dixie. Champion of champions here in 2018. Shown by nine-year-old daughter Olivia. Colt two to three years, coloured – Sheila Stewart. Yeld mare – Donna Lochtie. Brood mare, foal – T Stuart. Yearling, filly or gelding two to three years, group – R Swan. Gelding over four years – Bethany Swanson. Young handler – Olivia Lochtie.
Shetland ponies miniature (Judge: A Irvine, Inverurie). Champion – Fiona Johnstone, Muir of Ord with the 10-year-old stallion Milday Master Mason by Tawna Rubus and out of Milday Popstir. First at Nairn. Reserve – S Mitchell, Phairstad, Muir of Ord with a Hallstock stallion bought privately for 1800gns. Sired by Kerswell Dolphin and out of Hallstock Selina. Junior champion. Stallion, colt two to three years, brood mare, foal, filly or gelding two to three years, coloured – S Mitchell. Yeld mare, yearling – Fiona Johnstone. Gelding over four years – S Thomson. Young handler – Rory Andrews.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: R MacDonald, Grantown-On-Spey). Champion – Sophie Anderson. Ages 8-10yrs – 1, Sophie Anderson; 2, Struan MacAulay; 3, Leon Cardosi. Ages 11-13yrs – 1, Struan MacNeil; 2, Chloe Anderson; 3, Ren Tomkin. Ages 14-16yrs – 1, Lucy Anderson; 2, Calum Grant; 3, Struan Cuthbert.
Blackface (Judge: T Muirhead). Champion – R Flett, Blackpark Croft Cottage, Ardersier with a three-crop ewe by a £15,000 Crossflatt out of a Gass-bred ewe by a £12,000 Crossflatt. Champion at Turriff 2026 and champion at Grantown last year. Reserve – R Flett with a one-crop home-bred ewe by an £18,000 Allanfauld, out of a home-bred ewe by a £15,000 Crossflatt. Champion at Nairn and inter-breed sheep here last year. Aged ram, shearling – D Carson. Ram lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – R Flett.
Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: Hazel Brown, Gorebridge). Champion – M Seed, Home Farm of Auchry, Turriff with the four-shear tup Shrewbridge R11. Purchased at Builth Wells in 2023 for £3000, he was champion here in 2024 and champion at the breed’s National Show at Turriff that same year. Reserve – M Seed with the home-bred one-crop ewe Auchry IT29. Champion here last year as a gimmer, she is by the champion Shrewbridge R11. Aged ram, shearling, ram lamb, ewe, gimmer, group – M Seed. Ewe lamb – MM Stuart and Muriel Ross.
Beltex (Judge: A Morton, Denny). Champion – Munro family, Invercharron, Ardgay with the gimmer Invercharron Lovebite. Unbeaten this season, she was first at Caithness, Latheron, Sutherland and Nairn. She is by Tiree Hurricane and bred from Invercharron Georgia. Reserve – J and A Farquharson, Kiltarlity with Glencoe Jackson, a three-shear tup by Buckles Fury and bred from an Airyolland ewe. First outing. Aged ram – J and A Farquharson. Shearling, ewe, gimmer, group – Munro family. Ram lamb – J Scott. Ewe lamb – Ellie Sutherland.
Charollais (Judge: I Spence, Turriff). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – G and B Ingram, Logie Durno, Inverurie with a one-crop Loanhead ewe by the 16,000gns Foxhill Va Va Voom bred from a home-bred show ewe. Champion at the Royal Highland and inter-breed sheep at Turriff this year. Reserve – G and B Ingram with a home-bred gimmer that was shown at Turriff and the Royal Highland. All classes G and B Ingram.
Texel (Judge: B Renwick, Kelso). Champion – W and C Ingram, Logie Durno, Inverurie with Allanfauld Impeccable, a shearling ram purchased at Lockerbie last year for 32,000gns. He is by Brackenridge Fly Half and bred from an Allanfauld Flaming Star daughter. Reserve – S Stewart, Leylodge, Kintore with a gimmer by Clanfield Golden and bred from a ewe by Holylee Foreman. Champion at Fettercairn and reserve at Echt. Aged ram – G Jack. Shearling – W and C Ingram. Ram lamb, ewe lamb – D Webster. Ewe, gimmer – S Stewart. Group – Jane Chisholm.
Cross sheep (Judge: J Munro, Tain). Champion – Messrs Sutherland, Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Sibmister with a pair of Cheviot Mule gimmers purchased as ewe lambs at Dumfries from Stobshiel Mains. Reserve – Messrs Sutherland with a three-crop Cheviot cross Texel ewe with her March-born Texel cross lambs. Champion cross-bred at Sutherland and Nairn. Pair of Mule gimmers, pair of cross-bred ewes, pair of cross-bred ewe lambs, ewe with cross lambs – Messrs Sutherland. Pair of Mule ewe lambs – K Matheson. Pair of cross-bred gimmers – Sophie Anderson. Pair of prime lambs – Lucy Anderson
Jacob (Judge: A Christie, Huntly). Champion – Barbara Webster, Newburgh, Fife with the shearling Carrochy Ziggy. Champion at the Royal Highland and Fettercairn, he is by Blackbrook Mowhawk and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – Barbara Webster with the two-shear tup Carrochy Yolo. First at the Royal Highland and Fettercairn, he was champion at Perth. Another son of Mowhawk, he is out of Carrochy Tilly. Aged ram, shearling, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group – Barbara Webster. Ram lamb – Sophie Urquhart.
North Country Cheviot (Judge: A Simpson, Wick). Champion and inter-breed sheep – Jo Gall, Belmaduthy flock, Munlochy with Belmaduthy Ella, a two-crop ewe by a Broomhillbank Commander out of a home-bred daughter of Gospelhall Pick Me. Reserve at Turriff and placed at the Royal Highland. Reserve – DN Campbell and Sons, Bardnaclavan, Thurso with Bardnaclavan Shirley, a ewe lamb by Boxhill Fancy out of a home-bred dam. Second at Caithness. Aged ram, shearling, gimmer, mixed group – A Polson. Ram lamb, ewe lamb, group of females – J Campbell. Ewe – Jo Gall. Wooled – A Grant.
North Country Cheviot (hill) (Judge: P Tweedie, Jedburgh). Champion – M Cook, Dorrery with the five-year-old ewe, Duchess of Dorrery. Sired by a £4000 Langdale tup and out of a home-bred ewe, she was champion at Sutherland on her first outing. Reserve – Jan Mackenzie, Langdale, Strathnaver with Dorrery Equinox, a three-shear tup by Instack Crask out of a Dorrery-bred ewe. He was purchased at Lairg for £9000 as a two-shear, and was reserve at Sutherland last month. Ram three-shear – Jan Mackenzie. Ram two-shear – S Renwick. Shearling, ewe, group – M Cook. Ram lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb, wool – Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust.
Shetland (Judge: Emma Robertson, Westerskeld). Champion – I and Lesley Carnegie, Huntly with the two-shear tup, Island Rebus, bred by Richard Farquhar and purchased at the Lerwick Flockbook sale as a shearling. Reserve – I and Lesley Carnegie with Raedykes Egrette, a home-bred gimmer by Raedykes Pat out of Raedykes Egret. Shown as a lamb. Ram lamb, aged ram, shearling, gimmer, group. wooled – I and Lesley Carnegie. Ewe, ewe lamb – E Stables. Coloured ram – Kate Sharp. Coloured ewe – Sally Morence.
Suffolk (Judge: A Shepherd, Tarland). Champion – W and C Ingram, Logie Durno, Inverurie with a shearling purchased last year at Shrewsbury for 8500gns from Steven and Louise Buckley of the Sitlow flock. He is by Jalex X Factor. Reserve – M and I Bissett, Evanton with Birness Mel, a gimmer by Strathbogie Ice bred from a Rookery The King daughter. Champion at Sutherland and reserve at Nairn, she was purchased at Dingwall Highland Ladies Sale for 1300gns. Aged ram, ewe, ewe lamb – H Sutherland. Shearling – W and C Ingram. Ram lamb – P Gill. Gimmer, group of three, group of five – M and I Bissett.
Blue Texel (Judge: Katrina Macarthur, Nairn). Champion – A and K Rhind and Son, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss with Struthers Klassy, a home-bred gimmer that was champion at Nairn. She is by Beili Blues Euphoric and out of Struthers Hope. Reserve – Deborah Atkinson, Insch with Tap O Noth Kestral, a gimmer by Trisent Goliath bred from the former show ewe Tap O Noth Glitterball. First outing. Shearling, ewe – Ellie Ban. Ram lamb, gimmer – A and K Rhind. Ewe lamb – The Munro Family. Group – Deborah Atkinson.
Zwartbles (Judge: Emma Smith, Taynuilt). Champion – M and I Bissett, Evanton with the shearling Janetstown Knightrider, a private purchase from Sammy Stewart’s Janetstown flock. Champion at Keith as a lamb. He is by Clarewood Mr Bridghtside and out of Janetstown Key. Reserve – M and I Bissett with Cara Princess, a ewe lamb by Cernyw Kai out of Cara Jennifer. First at the Royal Highland and reserve at Sutherland and Nairn. Aged ram – Mandy Etheridge. Shearling, ewe, ewe lamb, group – M and I Bissett. Ram lamb, gimmer – Wendy Anderson.
AOB sheep (Non-accredited) (Judge: A Humphries, Dingwall). Champion – Sophie Anderson, Plewlands, Duffus with a two-crop Badgerface Texel ewe purchased privately from Stuart Wood. This is her third consecutive any other breed champion here having also stood champion any other breed at Nairn this year. Reserve – M Anderson, Watten, Caithness with a two-shear Bluefaced Leicester tup sired by West Catchery S1 and out of a home-bred ewe. Champion male at Latheron. Aged ram – M Anderson. Shearling, group – Jennifer Aird. Ram lamb – Angela Aird. Ewe – Sophie Anderson. Gimmer – I Reynard. Ewe lamb – Struan MacAuley.
Valais Blacknose (Judge: Irene Gray, Antrim, Northern Ireland). Champion – Cat Losty, Nithsdale Valais Blacknose, New Cumnock with the January-born ewe lamb, Nithsdale Nell. Sired by Oakdene Jake and out of Westmorland Joelle, she was first at Dumfries. Reserve – G Gitsham, Avoch with Black Isle Nacho, a tup lamb by last year’s champion, Yorkshire Loki and out of Black Isle Klover. Third at Perth Show. Aged ram, ewe, ewe lamb, group – Cat Losty. Shearling – A Scott. Ram lamb, gimmer – G Gitsham.
Crofters sheep (Suffolk and Texel judge: Jenny Peasley, Hallkirk; Blackface and Cheviot judge: P McCusbic, Isle of Skye). Champion – Messrs Bissett and Blackwood, Mill Farm, Durran, Caithness with a Texel tup lamb sired by an Overburns tup purchased at Lanark which goes back to Clanfield Golden. He was reserve male at Caithness. Reserve – M MacRae, Muir of Ord with a home-bred Cheviot gimmer by a Dorrery sire. First outing. Cheviot ram, Cheviot ewe – R Maciver. Cheviot ram lamb, Blackface ewe lamb – Sine Nicolson. Cheviot gimmer, Cheviot ewe lamb – M MacRae. Cheviot group – Erin Johnstone. Blackface ram, Blackface ewe, Blackface group – Gemma Mcintosh. Blackface ram lamb, Blackface gimmer – J Mackenzie. Suffolk ram lamb, Suffolk ewe, Suffolk gimmer, Suffolk ewe lamb, Suffolk group – Susan Ross. Texel ram, Texel ewe – R Mackenzie. Texel ram lamb, group of Texel, prime lamb – Messrs Bissett and Blackwell. Texel ewe lamb – U Leonardi.
National Hampshire Down Show (Judge: S Jones, Haverfordwest). Champion – R and Sheena McFarlane and Lorna Rennie, Lecropt, Bridge of Allan with Lecropt Pixie, a ewe lamb by Normandy Highlander out of Lecropt Lexie. Fourth at the Royal Highland, second outing. Reserve – R and Sheena McFarlane and Lorna Rennie with the shearling Lecropt Olympus. Another Highlander son, he is out of Lecropt Martini, a ewe that was third at the Scottish National Show at Stirling last year. Olympus was third at the same National Show. Aged ram – MB and Irene Steel. Shearling, ewe lamb – R and Sheena McFarlane and Lorna Rennie. Ram lamb, pair of lambs, group of three – K and Karah Knowles. Ewe, gimmer – J Grossick.
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