HILL farmers turned out in their droves for Killin Show and it was one of the truest hill breeds, the Scottish Blackface, that landed the champion of champions trophy.

Despite low cloud cover that threatened rain all day and never cleared from Meall Clachach and the surrounding hills, a strong show of cattle and sheep was presented by the Loch Tayside natives.

After debating on the supreme, the four section judges awarded it to a two-crop ewe from Messrs McLarty, from Glen Tarken, which in fact won the same title here as a gimmer.

Brought out by Iain McLarty, shepherd Alastair McKenzie and his sons, Allan and Lewis, she is by a home-bred son of a £4000 Midlock and has a good track record at Killin.

Also contesting the overall title was the cross sheep champion, a home-bred three-quarter Beltex shearling ram from Colin Little, Glen Ample, as well as the Swaledale leader, a five-shear tup bred by Tom Edgar from Finlay Macaskill, Tullich.

Hamish McDiarmid, from Ben Lawers, continued to lead the cattle section, this year winning with a January-born bullock by a Limousin sire and out of a previous champion here, a home-bred three-quarter Limousin cow.

LEADING awards:

Cattle (Judge: A McBeth, Balnaguard). Champion – H McDiarmid, Ben Lawers, with a January-born bullock by the same Lingland Horny Limousin bull that sired last year’s champion. Brought out with help from seven-year-old son Stewart and Roy Nicol, he is out of a home-breed three-quarter Limmy cow by Oldhouse Dougal that was champion here as a calf and has been unbeaten in her class since. Reserve – D Waugh, Croftintygan, with the second prize winner to the champion, an April-born bullock by a Homebyres Limousin bull and out of a black Limousin cross cow with some British Blue blood. This was his first outing from father and son duo, Douglas and Robert’s 110-cow herd. Limousin-sired bullock born in 2017, Limousin-sired heifer born in 2017, Limousin-sired bullock born in 2018, cow with calf, cow, best spring-born calf, points – H McDiarmid. Native-sired bullock born in 2018, native-sired heifer born in 2018, best native calf – N and E Campbell, Succoth. Limousin-sired heifer born in 2017, breeding heifer – K Taylor and Sons, Dall. Stockman showing champion – S McDiarmid, Ben Lawers.

Sheep other than Blackface (Judge: K Jarvie, Muthill). Champion – C Little, Glen Ample, with a home-bred three-quarter Beltex shearling ram by an Aviemore sire and out of a Beltex cross Texel mother. He was used as a lamb in the flock of 550 cross sheep running alongside 1100 Blackies at Glen Ample. Reserve – P McDiarmid and Co, Shenlarich, with a pair of cross lambs full of home breeding, being by a home-bred Texel and out of home-bred Texel cross mothers. They won their class at Aberfeldy. Cross lambs out of Blackface, cross lambs out of cross ewe, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, Mule ewe lamb, prime lamb champion – P McDiarmid and Co. Tup lamb ¬– N and F McNaughton, Duallin. Tup – C Little.

Swaledale (Judge: M Scrimager, Strathgarry, Killiecrankie). Champion and reserve – F Macaskill, Tullich. Taking the championship for Finlay’s 1200-ewe flock in the only affiliated show of Swales in Scotland other than the Royal Highland, was a five-shear tup bred by Tom Edgar and bought privately a couple of years ago. He has proved a good breeder, particularly of females. In reserve was a home-bred three-crop ewe by a Dennis Lumley, Nookton, ram and out of a home-bred ewe. Ewe, ram ¬ F Macaskill.

Blackface (Judge: D Mcvicar, Lephinchapel, Strathlachlan). Champion and champion of champions – Messrs McLarty, Glen Tarken, with a two-crop ewe that won the same award here as a gimmer and won her class last year. She is by a home-bred son of a £4000 Midlock that has proved to be one of the best female breeders in the flock ‘herded by Alastair McKenzie and sons, Allan and Lewis, while her mother is by a home-bred son of a £2000 Elmscleugh. Reserve – P McDiarmid and Co, Shenlarich, with a one-crop ewe by a tup bred by Rory Kerr, The Glen, and bought at Stirling for £1200, while her mother is home bred. She was lightly shown last year. Opposite sex to champion – C Little, Glen Ample, with a shearling tup bred by the Harkins, Loughash, and bought for the bargain price of £500 at Dalmally. Sired by a £24,000 Crossflatt and out of a ewe by a £6500 Midlock, he has been a tremendous female getter for Colin and family. Shepherd’s sheep – R Champbell, Shenlarich. Ewe with lambs, aged ewe, gimmer, pair of gimmers, pair of ram lambs, pair of ewe lambs, female group, female champion – Messrs McLarty. Aged ram, two-shear ram – R Wilson, Kenknock. Shearling ram, best ram, male group, opposite sex to champion – C Little. One-crop ewe, pair of wedder lambs – P McDiarmid and Co, Shenlarich. Ram lamb – K Taylor and Sons, Dall. Ewe lamb, best lamb – H Taylor, Braes of Ardeonaig. Wool – P Reilly. Stockman showing champion – A McKenzie, Glen Tarken.

Wool – Champion – H Taylor, Braes of Ardeonaig. Reserve – N and E Campbell, Succoth. Blackface mattress, Blackface fine, natural colour – H Taylor. Cross – N and E Campbell.

Young handlers (Judge: D Mcvicar). Aged under 11 years – Keira Little, Glenample. Aged 11 to 18 years – Eilidh Little, Glenample.