Another big win for Balthayock

The herd, which is celebrating it’s 50th year, and only two months ago secured it’s first inter-breed beef title at the Highland and overall champion of champions at Alyth with a heifer, was also bagging it’s first supreme overall at Perth.

Taking centre stage this time however, was a massive home-bred bull from the 100-cow Balthayock herd that runs alongside a further 150 commercial cows, managed by Tracey and Davie Nicoll.

New to the show scene this year, their star performer was four-year-old Balthayock Loyalist, a 1500kg son of Maerdy Grenadier that stood second in his class to the champion at the Highland in 2018.

“He’s an outstanding bull with great conformation, power, presence, excellent legs and he moves well,” said the overall judge, Joyce Campbell, Armadale, who was also most impressed by the supreme sheep, a Texel gimmer from the McKerrows at Nochnary.

For the supreme overall, she had to chose between the native horse champion, the Clydesdale filly, Collessie Flash, from Charlotte Young, the champion Donkey, Mrs Elma Cunningham’s multi-award winning, Gamlingay Live in a Mist; the supreme sheep, a Texel gimmer from the McKerrows, Nochnary and the lead goat, Linnavon Edelweiss, a British Toggenburg milker from the Campbell family.

It was also a good day for the Hereford breed, which was staging it’s national show, and in particular for the Harvey family, when they won the reserve inter-breed beef honours and the silverware for the inter-breed junior heifer, with Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose.

“The Hereford is an exception young animal full of femininity, character and correctness,” said the overall beef judge, Alastair Houston from Gretna, who added that the Charolais bull was full of power, length and presence.

No stranger to the limelight, the Harvey’s heifer shown by Sophie and Beth Harvey, was also reserve at the Highland and the Great Yorkshire.

Adding to the breed celebrations, a Hereford bull won the reserve inter-breed young bull honours. This was Ronald and Robert Wilson’s previously unshown, Romany Robin, a January 2018-born son of Romany Navigator.

Overall young bull champion was Malcolm and Marina Reid’s Limousin, Reids Orion, a March 2018-born son of Reids Galaxy shown by Kim Brown, that was overall beef champion at West Fife and male champion at the Limousin Grand Prix.

Reserve inter-breed junior heifer was Andrew Hornall’s Charolais heifer Falleninch Orla, which teamed up with her herd mate, Falleninch Nigella, to win the overall beef pairs, while Limousin heifers from Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, bagged the blue and white sash.

Texels reigned supreme in the sheep lines, winning the inter-breed honours in both the individual and the pairs competitions, judged by Angus Kennedy, Broughton, Biggar.

Mr Kennedy found his supreme overall in a home-bred gimmer from David McKerrow and sons David and James’ Nochnary flock from Freuchie, Fife. Champion at West Fife in June, she is by Rhaeadr Ace and bred from a Baltier ewe bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle for 4400gns.

Leading the pairs was a Texel duo from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock from Errol. This was made up of the reserve breed champion, a ewe by Ettrick Vital Spark, and a tup lamb by the 28,000gns Knock Banker.

Reserve overall in the individuals was the champion south-type Blackface, a two-crop ewe from Tay and Torridan’s North Amulree flock at Amulree, Dunkeld, brought out by flock manager Billy Brady. Champion at Kirriemuir and reserve at Dunblane, she is by a £48,000 Auchloy.

The equivalent in the pairs was presented to a Beltex duo from Graeme and Fiona Burke’s Pentland flock from Brechin, comprising a home-bred gimmer by Broxty Wishful Thinking and a home-bred shearling ram by Woodies Barbarian, that is destined for the breed sales at Carlisle.

LEADING awards

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: I Neish, Cairnview Place, Laurencekirk). Champion – M and S Nairn, Balnabroich, Strathardle, with the breed leader from Fife, Juaul Maryann Magdalina, a 17-month-old heifer bought as a calf at foot alongside her dam, Albion Maryann Freya at the Juaul dispersal at Longtown. She was brought out by Alex Smith and Bob McWalter and is by Democrat of Upsall. Reserve – J Cameron and Valerie Orr, Trainview Livestock, Kingsmuir, Forfar, with the four-month-old bull calf, Trainview Prince Navid, a son of Meonhill Charlie Chaplin bred from Ballyvaddy Princess. He was first at Kirriemuir and Alyth. Cow, senior heifer, calf – Trainview Livestock. Junior heifer – M and Lady S Nairn.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: A Cormack, Duns). Champion – Brailes Livestock, Banbury, with Cheeklaw Black Beth, a two-year-old in-calf heifer by Balmachie Lord Jock that was second at the Highland and a member of the winning pair. She was brought out by free-lance stockpersons, Richard and Carol Rettie and is out of Cheeklaw Black Betsy. Reserve – R and C Rettie, Methven, Perth, with the yearling heifer, Retties Evita, a daughter Retties JFK, out of Idvies Evita that was champion at Dunblane and Braco and first at the Great Yorkshire. Senior bull, senior female, pair – Brailes Livestock. Junior bull, junior heifer, intermediate heifer – R and C Rettie. Calf – Miss C Davidson and G Thomson, Fintalich Farm Cottage, Crieff.

Highland (Judge: J McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn). Champion – M and S Nairn, Balnabroich, Strathardle with Aimee Ruadh 5 of Balnabroich, a two-year-old heifer that was reserve at Fife and first at the Highland. She is by Cliadhuah Mor of Balmoral, out of Aimee Duadh of Roisbheinn and was brought out by Alex Smith and Bob McWalter. Reserve – H Corrigal, Earn Fold, with Frangag Beg 3 of Earn, an Angus Rundh of Wester Croachy-sired yearling heifer out of Frangag Beg 6 of Scourie, shown by Graeme Easton. Senior bull, yearling – D MacNaughton, Kelty, Fife. Junior bull – J and J Singer, Kintore House, Auchenblae. Cow – I Adams, Lochton of Leys, Banchory. Senior heifer, two-year-old heifer – Ranch Fold, Letham, Angus. Three-year-old heifer, pair – M and S Nairn.

Hereford National Show (Judge: G Shepherd, Moorside House, Woodplumpton, Preston). Champion, reserve inter-breed beef and inter-breed junior heifer – G and S Harvey, Balfron, Glasgow, with Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose, a 17-month-old heifer by the AI sire, Normonton 1 Leartes, out of a former reserve female at the Great Yorkshire show, Harveybros 1 Crocus. Reserve at the Highland and the Great Yorkshire, she is just one of only eight Hereford females owned by the father and daughter duo. Reserve and reserve inter-breed junior bull – JRB Wilson and Sons, Cowbog, Kelso, with the previously unshown January 2018-born bull, Romany 1 Robin, a son of Romany 1 Navigator, a bull sold privately to Jimmy Hodge, out of Romany Lucy. He is destined for the breed sale at Hereford in October. Pair, group of three, progeny, senior heifer, junior bull – T and D Harrison, Eltringham, Mickley, Stocksfield. Junior heifer – G and S Harvey. Intermediate heifer – Miss H Whittaker, Coley Walks, Norwood Green, Halifax. Cow – W, P and K Wason, Redwells, Kinglassie, Lochgelly. Intermediate bull – JM Cant and Partners, Easter Knox, Arbirlot. Senior bull – JRB Wilson and Sons.

Charolais (Judge: G Wright, Lagavaich, Glenlivet). Champion, inter-breed beef and overall champion of champions – Major DFWH Walter and NR Walter, Balthayock, Perth, with the 1500kg Balthayock Loyalist, a four-year-old bull by Maerdy Grenadier that stood second in his class to the champion at the Highland in 2018. His dam is Balthayock Glory, which has bred sons to 10,000gns and is a full sister to Balthayock Ferdinand that has produced bulls to 50,000gns and 46,000gns. Loyalist was on his first outing of the year and was providing the 100-cow pedigree unit which runs alongside a further 150 commercial cows with its first supreme overall champion of champions title at Perth. Reserve – Brailes Livestock, with Bassett Nadia, a two-year-old heifer by the 10,000gns Harestone Domino, paraded by the Retties freelance stock team. She was champion at West Morland last year. This year she was champion at Stirling, the National at the Great Yorkshire and the Royal Welsh. She was second at the Highland. Senior bull, intermediate bull, calf – Major DFWH Walter and NR Walter. Junior bull – R and C Rettie, Methven, Perth. Cow – G Russell, Lesliepark, Denny. Senior heifer – Brailes Livestock. Junior heifer, continental inter-breed heifer, inter-breed pairs, bred pair – AB Hornall, Falleninch, Stirling

Simmental (Judge: S Stronach, Maisley, Keith). Champion and reserve – Heather Duff, Pitmudie Farm, Brechin. Supreme was Pitmudie Irish Mist, a November 2017-born cow by Hiltonstown Ferrari, out of Delfur Bobette, that was reserve at Kirriemuir and Fettercairn and second at the Highland. Reserve was the 15-month-old heifer, Pitmudie Jamaica, by Overhill House Eragon, out of Delfur Margaret. She was second at the Highland. Senior bull – JC McLaren and Partner, Dargill, Crieff. Junior bull, cow, senior heifer, intermediate heifer, junior heifer, pair – Heather Duff.

Limousin (Judge: G Wright). Champion and reserve inter-breed pairs – D McBeath and SJ Jessop, Lower Greenyards, Bannockburn, with Springsett Orchid, an October 2017-born heifer that was reserve female and reserve overall champion at the Scottish Grand Prix at Kelso, and at the Highland and a member of the winning inter-breed team of four and second at the Great Yorkshire. She is by Woodroad James, out of Springsett Fancy. Reserve and inter-breed young bull – M Reid, Grassmainston, Alloa, with Reids Orion, a March 2018-born son of Reids Galaxy out of Littlewood Ginger, that was male at the Limousin Grand Prix at the Border Union and inter-breed beef champion at West Fife. He was brought out by freelance stocksperson, Kim Brown. Senior bull, junior bull – M Reid. Senior female – S Dick, Westerton, Cowie, Stirling. Senior heifer, junior heifer, pairs – D McBeath and SJ Jessop.

Any other native breed (Judge: I Neish, Laurencekirk). Champion and reserve – A Mylius, St Fort Estate, Newport on Tay with home-bred Lincoln Reds. Supreme was St Fort Elspeth, a March 2018-born heifer by St Fort Squire bred from a previous home-bred Elspeth, brought out by the Retties stock team, that has won several awards at local shows. Reserve was the two-year-old bull, St Fort Unity, also by St Fort Squire and out of a home-bred cow. Senior bull – L and R Brown, Radernie, Cupar. Junior bull, female – A Mylius and Partners.

Any other continental breed (Judge: A Cormack, Duns). Champion and reserve – R and M Paterson, Auchenlay, Dunblane. Supreme was Auchenlay Nimrod, a 15-month-old British Blue bull by Sandyvale Jagerbomb out of Auchenlay Hope that was male champion at the Royal Welsh and a member of the winning inter-breed pairs and reserve overall at the Highland. Reserve was Auchenlay Nippy Sweetie, a similarly aged heifer by the same sire but out of Auchenlay Jessy. She was first at the Highland and the Royal Welsh.

Commercial (Judge: H Campbell, Hallyburton, Kettins). Champion – WA Peters, Cuilt, Monzie, Crieff, with Islay Malt, a Charolais cross heifer winning her sixth championship of the year. This 16-month-old was bred by Bob Cunninghame, Islay but bought from Hugh McKinnon, Tiree, at the YFC Calf Show, Stirling. She is by Retties Lorenzo and out of a Limousin cross cow. Reserve – S and L Bett, Newmills Farm House, Fallin, Stirling, with Queen Bee, a Limousin cross heifer that was champion at Ayr, Drymen, Gargunnock, Stirling and Dunblane. She was bred by Peredur and Llyr Hughes who run the Pabo Limousin herd in Anglesey and is by Derrygullinane Kingull and stood champion at the Agri Expo for them in October 2018. Senior steer, bred pair – WA Peters. Steer born between August 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 – D and P Blair, Littleinch. Steer born after January 1, 2018 – J Robertson and Co, Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry. Senior heifer, pair – S and L Bett. Heifer born between August 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 – B Duffton and R Stuart, Huntly and Insch. Heifer calf – B Paterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, Inverurie. Cow – G Cameron, Wester Bonhard, Scone.

Goats (Judge: G Webster, Guildy Den, Monikie, Dundee). Champion – Campbell Family, The Byres, Torphicen, Bathgate, with Linnavon Edelweiss, a four-year-old British Toggenburg by Guilden Glow, out of Linnavon Bromeliad. She was champion at the Ayrshire Club Summer Goat Show and at the Border Union. Reserve – Campbell Family, The Byres with the best goatling from the Border Union Show, Capitol Euphennia, a Homacres Hugo daughter out of Capitol Bianca. White milker, coloured milker, white goatling, white kid, coloured kid – Campbell Family. Anglo Nubian milker – R Fleming, Burnside Place, Carron. Coloured goatling – A Garrett, Ellendale, Duncrievie, Glenfarg. Pygmy, pygmy kid, pygmy pet – C Bailey, The Blackwater, Bridge of Cally. Anglo Nubian goatling – B Fairley. Pygmy goatling – A Charlton, Nether Kirkton, Meikleour. Young handlers – Cerys Southwood, Holemill Farmhouse, Kirkbuddo, Forfar.

Clydesdale (Judge: J Wilson, Leys of Cowden, Muckhart, Dollar). Champion and supreme heavy horse – Charlotte Young, Hall Farm, Ayr, with Collessie Flash Girl, a three-year-old filly by Arradoul Balvennie out of Greenlaw Jura that was champion at Fife and reserve female at the Stallion Show. Reserve – K Wilson, Moray Place, Blackford, with the 12-year-old brood mare, Westbank Ruby Tuesday, a multi-award winning female by Doura Above All, out of Westbank Miss Dynamite show with May born foal, Blueton Blaze, at foot. Gelding – C McCulloch and L Crooks, Trinity Cottages, Luncarty. Two-year-old colt – S Greenhill, Leuchars Lodge, Leuchars, Fife. Yearling male, three-year-old filly – C Young. Brood mare, foal – K Wilson. Two-year-old filly – T Clark and Sons, Muirton, Abbey Farm, Madderty, Perth. Yearling filly – P and S Keron, Marefield of Craigs, Madderty. Young handlers – Craig Hanna.

Highland ponies (Judge: Miss A Mitchell, Backdales, Denny, Stirling). Champion – GM Baird, Burrelton, with Tiffany of Whitefield, an eight-year-old yeld mare that was champion at Drymen last year and first at the Highland and second at Alyth, this year. She is by Rannoch of Achnacarry out of Millfield Morning Mist. Reserve – WD Simpson, Chapelhill, Logiealmond, Perth, with the yearling Chapelhill MacBeth, a home-bred entry by Lochlands Military Piper out of Chapelhill Tess that was first at the Highland and at the breed show. Stallion, yearling – WD Simpson. Senior gelding – J Headspeath, Beech Cottage, Dess, Aboyne. Brood mare, yeld mare, foal – GM Baird. Three-year-old – K Lawson and W Sinclair, Boghead Farm Cottages, Inverkeilor, Arbroath. Two-year-old – WKA and JA Allan, Millfield, Knowehead, Freuchie, Fife. Novice ridden – F and L Boyd, Craighoyle, Glenfinart, Ardentinny. Open ridden – Mrs C Rafferty, Wester Newburn, Leven, Fife.

Shetland standard (Judge: J McMaster, Barney House, Wigton). Champion – Eynhallow Stud, Westown, Perthshire, with the seven-year-old mare, Eynhallow Black Magic, a former champion winner at the Great Yorkshire which has just been accredited a gold evaluation at the Shetland breed show. She is by Eynhallow Black Magic and out of Harviestoun Saffron. Reserve – J Watson, High Street, Jedburgh, with Kerloch Rupert, a 13-year-old stallion that is a former champion winner at the Highland Show, Spring Show and Cumberland. He is by Stow Review and out of Burnbank Veda. Stallion – J Watson. Gelding – D Lochtie, Lower Granco Street, Dunning. Mare with foal – Mawcarse Shetlands, McWilliam Place, Kinross. Foal, yearling – K and F Punton, Millrig Holdings, Kirknewton. Yeld mare – Eynhallow Stud. Two/three-year-old – W and P Robertson, Newhame Road, Melrose.

Shetland miniature (Judge: Mrs J Barugh, North Farm, Aldbrough, East Yorkshire). Champion – L Cochrane, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, with Parlington Viola, an 11-year-old mare by Parlington Maverick, out of Parlington Fay that was champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show, reserve at Cumberland, reserve at the Central Scotland Shetland Group Show, reserve female at the Highland and is just back from be accredited with a silver evaluation at the breed show. Reserve – R MacLeod, Lochfleet, Dornoch with the junior champion, Oxgang Eloquence, a two-year-old by Pitcairn Eiger Bertie, out of Balgay Kee Noodle that was junior champion at the Black Isle, Nairn and Dornoch. Stallion, foal, yearling – R MacLeod. Yeld mare – L Cochrane. Two/three-year-old – S Robertson, Hope Park, Haddington.

Border Leicester (Judge: Mrs J Struthers, Greenbank, Carluke). Champion – Euan Mill (11), Shawsmill, Cardenden, with a ewe lamb by Drennans Dazzler, out of a ewe by Eildon Longfellow, that was first in her class at Dunblane. Reserve – R Brown, Raddernie, Cupar, with a gimmer that was placed at the Highland and Dunblane. She is by Didcot Dancer and out of a home-bred ewe. Ram, shearling ram, gimmer – R Brown. Ram lamb, ewe, ewe lamb – E Mill.

Suffolk (Judge: G Brown, Springfield, Penicuik). Champion and reserve – GA Mackie, Drimmie, Rescobie, Forfar. Supreme was a gimmer by Forkins Boldboy out of a ewe by Drimmie Glenho, that was second at Kirriemuir. Reserve was a ram lamb that was first at Kirriemuir. He is by Strathbogie 24 Carat and bred from a Cairness Real Deal-sired ewe. Shearling ram ¬– RA Bryce, Chalmerston, Stirling. Ram lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, pair – GA Mackie.

North-type Blackface (Judge: M Smyth, Cam Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland) Champion – M Hamilton, Woolfords, West Lothian, with a previously unshown two-crop ewe by a £2400 Doldy, a tup that stood first in the aged ram class at the National Breed Show. She is out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – R and S Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet, with a previously unshown home-bred shearling ram by a 5000gns Tom Adams tup bought at Ballymena. His dam is by a £1600 Achdregnie, a tup that sold to Cadogan Estates. Two-shear ram – D Baillie, Calla, Carnwath. Shearling ram – R and S Duncan. Ram lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – M Hamilton.

South-type Blackface (Judge: A Smith, Wester Crosswoodhill, West Calder). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – Tay and Torridon Estates, North Amulree, Amulree, Dunkeld, with a two-crop ewe brought out by flock manager Billy Brady, by a £48,000 Auchloy, out of a home-bred ewe by an £11,000 Midlock. She was champion at Kirriemuir and reserve at Dunblane, this year and first in her class at Aberfeldy in 2018. Reserve – Aberuchill Estate, Comrie, with a gimmer by a £12,000 Nunnerie, out of a ewe by a Dalchirla sire used on loan. Reserve at Braco, she was shown by shepherd Craig Paterson. Two-shear ram, shearling ram – T and M Paterson, Dunruchan, Muthill, Crieff. Ram lamb, pair – T Muirhead, Orchilmore, Carse of Trowan, Crieff. Ewe – Tay and Torridan Estate. Gimmer, ewe lamb – Aberuchill Estate.

Cheviot (Judge: J McClymont, Henderson Park, Windygates, Leven). Champion – T Kerr, Colony, Muthill, Crieff, with a two-crop ewe of unknown breeding bought at the Ericstane dispersal from Jane Jackson. She was champion at Braco. Reserve – A Grant, Innergellie House, Kilrenny, Anstruther, with a ram lamb by a £2000 Cairnside bought at Quoybrae, out of Wemyss Castle-bred ewe with a Durran sire. He was male champion at the Great Yorkshire and placed at the Black Isle. Aged ram, shearling ram – McCaig Farms, Wester Jawcraig, Falkirk. Ram lamb, pair – A Grant. Ewe – T Kerr. Gimmer, ewe lamb – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews

Any other native breed (Judge: Mrs J Struthers, Greenbank, Carluke). Champion and reserve – R Morris, Over Buttergask, Cupar, with Kerry Hill sheep. Champion was a two-crop ewe by a Whitcastles sire bought at Carlisle, out of a home-bred ewe. She was second at Alyth. Reserve was a three-shear Colecot ram by a Woodhouse sire, bred from a Colecot ewe, bought at Ludlow last year. He was second at the Royal Welsh last year and placed at Alyth in June. Aged ram, shearling ram, tup lamb, ewe, pair – R Morris. Gimmer – A Grant, Innergellie House, Kilrenny. Ewe lamb – C and A McFadzean, Gateside of Broomhill, Forteviot, Perth.

Bluefaced Leicester crossing type (Judge: J Bell, Highfield, Auchengray, Carnwath). Champion – A McIntyre, Glenfarg, with a gimmer from his 10-ewe CKC flock – named after sons, Calum, Keiran and daughter Chloe - by a £700 shearling bought from Iain Minto at United Auctions Stirling, out of a home-bred ewe by a Rowandale sire, that was second at West Fife. Reserve – A Jolly, Clyne, Newmachar, with a previously unshown ewe lamb by a Dreva son of an H19 Midlock, bought at Carlisle as a lamb. Her dam is by a Crowhall tup. Mr Jolly also won the progeny show with ewe lambs by the Dreva tup, with a home-bred son of the same Dreva ram winning the Mule progeny group. Shearling ram, tup lamb, ewe lamb, all progeny classes – A Jolly. Ewe, gimmer – A McIntryre.

Bluefaced Leicester traditional type (Judge: A McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow). Champion – M and C Drummond, Cassington, Maybole, with a gimmer that was third at the Highland, by a G1 Cassington ram retained for breeding that was a son of a Craig Yr-Orsedd. The dam is a home-bred ewe from the best show winning family in the flock by a Lower Down ram. The G1 Cassington ram won the reserve in the progeny section. Reserve – M Quinn, Whinnyhall, Kinglassie, Fife, with the two-shear Bonvilston Tudor, bought at Builth Wells for 12,000gns in partnership with Hazel Brown, Leadburnlea. First at the Royal Welsh last year, he is by a Cendy G2 ram and was on his first outing since the sale. Bonvilston Tudor also won the progeny competition alongside two tup lambs from Mr Quinn’s Whinnyhall flock. Aged ram, progeny group of tup lambs, progeny ewe lambs – M Quinn. Shearling ram – D and M MacNiven, Craigfarg, Glenfarg. Tup lamb, ewe lamb, progeny ewes, progeny group of ewe lambs – A and J Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Glamis. Ewe, gimmer, progeny pair of gimmers – M and C Drummond.

Scotch Mule (Judge: A Brown, MacQueston, Tynron). Champion – A McIntrye, Glenfarg with an April-born ewe lamb by a home-bred sire on her first outing. Her sire is to be sold at United Auctions’ Stirling sale in September. Ewe lamb, pen of three ewe lambs.

Any other continental (Judge: D Allison, Anston, Dunsyre). Champion – J and E Lyle, Nether Pratis, Leven, Fife, with Blue Texels. Champion was a gimmer by a Crew sire bought at Carlisle as a lamb from Rhys Francis, out of a home-bred ewe. First outing. Reserve was a shearling ram that was placed at the Highland. He is by Millend Ye-ha, out of a home-bred ewe and is destined for the Kelso Ram Sales. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, pair – J and E Lyle. Ram lamb – D Soutar, Strathellie, Alyth.

Texel (Judge: A Hamilton, Bloomgate, Lanark). Champion and inter-breed sheep champion – D McKerrow, Nochnary, Freuchie, Fife, with the champion winner from West Fife, a home-bred gimmer by Rhaeadr Ace bred from a Baltier ewe bought as a ewe lamb for 4400gns at the Christmas Cracker Sale at Carlisle. Reserve – R Cockburn, Hill of Errol, Errol, Perth, with the breed leader here in 2017, a two-crop ewe by Ettrick Vital Spark out of a Ettrick Rainbow Warrior-sired ewe. First outing of the year. Mr Cockburn also won the inter-breed pairs competition with a gimmer and a tup lamb. Ram lamb, ewe, ewe lamb, pair – R Cockburn. Gimmer – D McKerrow.

Lleyn (Judge: D Allison). Champion – F McGowan, Incheoch, Blairgowrie, with a gimmer by Incheoch Fincastle, a Blakey Ladies Man son sold last year at the couple’s on-farm sale, out of a home-bred ewe. He was placed at the Highland. Reserve – D and B Henderson, Nether Toucks, Stonehaven, with a shearling ram that was second at Banchory and is destined for the breed sale at Carlisle next month. He is by a Goldies sire bought at Carlisle in 2016 and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, gimmer – F McGowan. Shearling ram, tup lamb, pair – D and B Henderson. Ewe – Carmont Valley Livestock, East Carmont, Stonehaven. Ewe lamb – CC and C Crawford, Teuchitfauld, Maud, Peterhead

Beltex (Judge: J Barclay, Mid Brockloch, Maybole). Champion – G and F Burke, Brechin, with Pentland Dixie, a home-bred gimmer by Airyolland Wurzel, out of a Kingledores Rascal-sired ewe, that was reserve inter-breed sheep at the National Show at the Border Union, Kirriemuir and Fettercairn and second at the Highland. The Burkes also won the reserve inter-breed pairs with a different gimmer by and a shearling ram. Reserve – A Morton, Lochend, Denny, with a shearling ram that was first at Dunblane and third at the National. He is a Chobab, a tup bought from the late Gavin Shanks, and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe – I Reid, Isle Cottage, Methven, Perth. Shearling ram, ewe lamb – A Morton. Gimmer, pair – G and F Burke.

Cross sheep (Judge: R Paterson, Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane). Champion – D Black, Minard, Kirriemuir, winning his fifth championship at five shows, this time with the champion pen of three gimmers from Fettercairn and Banchory. Texel crosses out of Beltex cross Suffolk dams, they were bred at Easter Cash and are bound for the breeding gimmer sale at Forfar, next month. Mr Black also won the award for the champion single with one of the three gimmers. Reserve – Kirsty Guthrie, Cuiltburn, Muthill, with the prime lamb champions, a pen of three Beltex cross ewe lambs that were champion at Braco. Three part-bred ewes – GD MacDonald and Sons, Meadows of Ballied, Blairgowrie. Three gimmers to exclude Mules, three Mule gimmers – D Black. Three ewe lambs excluded Mules – D and J Thomson, West Park, Aberfeldy. Three lightweight continental-bred prime lambs – M Rattray. Three heavyweight continental prime lambs – K Guthrie

Young handlers – 12yrs and under - 1, Will Henderson; 2, Ben MacDonald; 3, Amy MacDonald