FARMERS lived up to their stoic and intransigent nature in the face of adversity this week at the Stirling Bull Sales.

When a fire alarm was set off – was someone smoking in the wrong place? – it was obvious that this particular ‘risk assessment’ hadn’t entered the minds of anyone there. It was as if, as the Scottish TV polisman Chief Inspector Jim Taggart once nearly and famously remarked: “Naebuddy move ... there’s been a fire!”

It was only when UA officials got fairly irate with those still in the building, that the decks were cleared ... and even then, there was much mumping and moaning. While farmers might not be much used to such fire drills, I’m sure there must be something in their insurance docs which states, especially if they employ people, that a fire drill must be carried out at least once a year.

So, for everyone’s sake, please take notice of the next alarm – it might be one that’s not false.

Island celebrations at Dalmally

EVEN by Dalmally’s standards, the re were some extraordinarily additional celebrations at last Saturday’s Blackie tup sale – which had little to do with Blackface sheep.

The Currie families from Islay had, earlier that week, enjoyed stunning success at the Mod in Fort William. A weary Alasdair Currie from Ballaclaven in the north of the island was still recovering from his historic ‘champion of champions’ win at the event on the Wednesday night when he won the much coveted individual gold medal for solo singing. He was joined at the sales by his equally bleary-eyed parents Duncan and Linda and sister Catriona.

Didn’t stop them buying two tups though, a lamb from Millpark and a shearling from Arnicle!

Gordon Currie, from the south of the island, was in equal celebratory mode, following his twin daughters’ successes. Fourteen year old Eleanor and Elizabeth MacMillan-Currie were in the island choir which topped the leaderboard in their particular section, with Elizabeth going on the win the individual solo singing for girls under 15.

Work commitments prevented Gordon from actually attending the Mod, though this didn’t stop him from taking part in the celebrations at Dalmally. However, he did nearly miss the sale altogether due to other ‘commitments’..... but that’s a story for another day!

The lost women of Bute!

WHEN sisters get together for a hoolie, all sorts of mishaps can occur.

Take, for example, a recent weekend away to the Borders for Ann McMillan from Eskechraggan on Bute and her three sisters.

After an enjoyable weekend, the quartet were at Edinburgh’s Waverley station awaiting a train to Glasgow.

Yes, you’ve guessed it – the team got on the wrong train and were headed to Leeds. The part that is hard to believe is that it was only a chance conversation with another passenger as the train whizzed by Alnwick in Northumberland that the mistake came to light!