First time exhibitors to the spring show, Alan and Sarah Jane Forbes, Dalrachie, certainly made their presence felt in the breeding sheep section by winning not only the award for the any other breed or cross, but also the supreme.

"They were exceptional females, full of breed character and style," said the judge, Matt Drummond, who breeds pedigree Bluefaced Leicesters at Cassington, Maybole.

Taking all the plaudits was a pen of three home-bred hill-type North Country Cheviot ewe hoggs by Armadale Dirty Deed, a tup which had been bought at Lairg from Joyce Campbell, while the mothers were Auchentoul-bred draft ewes which were also bought at Lairg. The trio, which were on their first outing away from the farm, are to be retained as replacements for the 300-ewe flock, of which 50 are bred pure.

Mr Drummond found his reserves in a pen of three Scotch Mule ewe hoggs from the Sleigh family, from St Johns Wells, Fyvie. All three were bought at the first ewe lamb sale at United Auctions, Stirling, with two bred by the Wights, at Midlock, Crawford, with the third bred by Teen Millar, Pitcairn. They are also to be retained for breeding to run alongside the family's remaining 450 Half-bred, Suffolk cross, Cheviot Mule and Scotch Mules.

LEADING awards

Prime hoggs – Two lightweight, two mediumweight – CL Wylie, Balrydie. Two heavyweight – D and J Thomson, West Park. Breeding sheep – Three Texel cross hoggs – S Connon, North Quilquox. Three Mule hoggs, three Cheviot Mule hoggs – HP Sleigh and Sons, St Johns Wells. Three any other breed or cross hoggs – A and SJ Forbes, Dalrachie.