IT’S not unusual to see a lot of wild-life on the A82 – indeed, it may even be possible to sneak a peek at the Loch Ness monster – but motorists were treated to something a bit different recently.

Travellers were astonished to find that a rare white emu was racing up and down the road, thus holding up the traffic near to Fort Augustus.

Maybe it was on the lookout for a mate or somewhere safe to lay an egg, but we have been assured that the road-runner has been returned safely to its owner on a farm near Fort Augustus.

Choirs in top billing

THE FARMER’S choirs are hitting the headlines again – but this time they are sharing top billing with the likes of well-known Scottish singer, Barbara Dickson and internationally renowned soprano, Danielle de Niese.

The black dresses and white shirts will be dusted down after their appearance at the Royal Highland Show for Sir James McMillan’s Cumnock Tryst’s annual festival which runs from October 3 to 6.

The Farmers and Farmers Wives Choirs were formed in September, 2013, to take part in the SAYFC’s 75th anniversary concert in Glasgow’s Hydro arena. Since then they have performed at events across Scotland raising funds for Royal Highland Education Trust, Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Glasgow Children’s Hospital, MND Association and MacMillan Nurses – to date, the choirs have raised almost £50,000 for good causes.

They will take part in the festival, which has a full programme of music and fun, on Saturday, October 5.

Good to give

Angus Show is always a good day out for all and this year’s event on Saturday, June 8, at Brechin is a biggie with various fund raising events for well-known haulage contractor Graeme Gauld, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

You can dig deep for Graeme at the show through the silent auction and raffles or on Alexander Gauld’s Facebook page or on www.jumblebee.co.uk.co.uk/alexandergauldfundraiser

There is no better cause ... Let’s face it, we all know of someone who has cancer and this fund raising could eventually help you too...

Farming... warts and all!

NOW The SF is a strong supporter of the Royal Highland Education Trust and it’s laudable aspiration to take the countryside – warts and all – into the classroom.

So, we were delighted to hear that an initiative to bring the classroom to the countryside in the Black Isle, recently saw children from across the northern area come to the Black Isle Showground during a couple of days to celebrate all that is good in farming.

As is usual, when you put children and animals together, there is always an inevitable, if sometimes unexpected outcome. So, we are grateful to ‘Anon of Culbokie’, for these lines on what is always a superb learning day for the kids. Perhaps this time, they got some biology lessons too from the local vet, Alistair McNab!

RHET’s days in the 'Muir'

At the showground in the Muir,

On the bonny summer days,

There are bus loads full of bairnies

To learn of farming ways.

We try to let them understand

That we provide their food,

And all the wee ones, bless them

Are very, very good.

We try to keep it simple

And mix is up with fun,

But sex and violence reared its head

With a young bull from Kildun.

He was getting kind of grumpy

And kicking up some dust

As his owner told the bairnies

ALL about bovine lust!

The kids they really loved it

But some teachers turned quite pale

And they didn’t like the thought

Of what came below the tail.

It proves the wise old saying

‘Tell it all and tell them young’

They just loved to hear our stories

All mixed with ‘poo’ and ‘dung’

In the war to win young hearts and minds,

RHET’s approach is very good

It lets the ‘toonsers’ understand

‘Cos of us they have their food.

So, farmers, if you get the chance

Help us teach the kids from school,

But mind, be careful what you take,

... leave at home the randy bull!