The sun was back shining for a highly contested and cracking line up at Keith show along side the Scottish Beef Supreme cattle championship (see left).

Topping the large entries among the cattle was the 14-month-old Limousin bull, Anside Orton, from the Irvine family from Braehead, Drummuir, Keith.

This young bull had previously taken reserve champion at Turriff the previous week and reserve male at both Nairn and Grantown, with this being his best ticket to date. He is a son of Goldies Fortress and out of Anside Candy.

Just behind him in the cattle was a Simmental senior cow this time from the Green family, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. The seven-year-old, Corskie Disco, is by Islavale Sabre and out of Corskie Swirl. She previously took inter-breed champion at the Black Isle and champion at this year’s Royal Highland.

Along in the many sheep sections it was the Hunter family, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, with their home-bred Texel gimmer that wowed the judge, William Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer. Previously she has taken inter-breed and supreme champion at Fettercairn and champion at the Black Isle. She is a daughter of Strathbogie Yes Sir and out of a Rohan bred ewe.

Young breeders, Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead, climbed their way to reserve sheep with their Royal Highland Charollais champion. Their gimmer is by Loanhead Single Malt and out of a home-bred show ewe by Riverdale Noble.

Taking the overall horse title was a seven-year-old mare Clydesdale from Ian Young, Wellheads, Clochan, Buckie. Arradoul Ellie May is a daughter of Arradoul Cardhu and out of Arradoul Majesta.

LEADING awards

Highland (Judge: I Matthew, Davah Court, Inverurie). Champion – S and A Brown, East Tilbouries, Maryculter, with the three-year-old heifer, Carlin 4 of Culfoich. She is a daughter of Jacob 2 of Benmore and out of Laria 1 of Culfoich. She was champion at New Deer this year and champion here and Echt last year. Reserve – Mrs V Thomson, Clackriach Cottage, Maud, with her reserve at Grantown, a nine-year-old cow in-calf. Heather 8 of Tordarroch is by Craig of Tordarroch and out of Heather 11 of Innisard. Senior bull, intermediate heifer – Culloden Fold. Junior bull, cow in-calf – Mrs V Thomson. Senior heifer, junior heifer – S and A Brown. Calf – J and L Fraser and Son.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: C Douglas, Whinfell park, Brougham, Penrith). Champion – M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with the 17-month-old bull, Tonley Excel. He is a son of Nightingale Perry and out of Tonley Ester. He took champions of champions earlier in the week at Grantown as well as junior inter-breed at Turriff. Reserve – A and K Rhind and Son, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss, with the six-year-old bull, Oakchurch Equity. This embryo calf is a son of Netherallan Peter Pershore and out of Blelack Eyrie. He was inter-breed at Nairn, champion at Black isle and reserve at Turriff. Senior bull – A and K Rhind and Son. Junior bull, cow, calf – M Wattie. Senior heifer, junior heifer – Ballindalloch Home Farm.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: I Matthew). Champion and reserve – WJ and J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, with the 17-month-old heifer, Coldrochie Broadhooks M8. She was champion at Turriff last week as well as going one step further to native inter-breed. She is a daughter of Fearn Godfather and out of Coldrochie Broadhooks G1, which was their reserve ticket and she's a six-year-old cow on her first outing. She is a daughter of Chapelton Winsome and out of Coldrochie Broadhooks C36. Bull, calf – G Stephen. Cow, junior heifer – WJ and J Green. Senior heifer – Glenrinnes Farms.

Charolais (Judge: G Leggat, Mormond Prop, New Pitsligo). Champion – B and G Wright, Lagavaich, Glenlivet, with the seven-year-old cow, Lagavaich Hermine. She is a daughter of Lochend Apache and out of Cyglen Shirley. She picked up reserve female at the Royal Highland in the 2014. Reserve – R and A Milne, Kennieshillock, Elgin, with the 16-month-old bull, Elgin Orlando, by Woodpark Elgin, out of Elgin Electra. He stood junior champion at Carlisle in May, champion at Nairn and male champion at Grantown. Bull, calf – RA Milne and son. Cow – B and G Wright.

Limousin (Judge: S Bett, Newmills Farmhouse, Fallin). Beef supreme and champion – Stephen Irvine and Sons, Braehead, Drummuir, Keith, with the 14-month-old bull, Anside Orton. He is a son of Goldies Fortress and out of Anside Candy. This was his best ticket so far, after taking reserve at Turriff and reserve male at both Nairn and Grantown. Reserve – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith, with the second prize bull. The 18-month-old, Corsairtly Oswald is by Ronick Inspector and out of Corsairtly Janelle. Bull, cow – Mr and Mrs Stephen Irvine and sons. Senior heifer – RC Mitchell. Junior heifer, yearling animal– M Robertson. Calf – R and K Davidson.

Simmental (Judge: S Grant, Dellfield, Druid Temple, Inverness). Reserve inter-breed and champion – WJ and J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, with the seven-year-old cow, Corskie Disco, the inter-breed champion from Black Isle and champion at this year’s Royal Highland. She is by Islavale Sabre and out of Corskie Swirl. Reserve – R and A Simmers, Backmuir, Keith, with the two-year-old heifer, Sterling FCUK Impuls. She is a daughter of Sterling Gino and out of Sterling Candys FCUK. She stood overall champion at Kelso and Turriff this year. Senior bull, junior bull, calf – D and R Durno. Cow, junior heifer – WJ and J Green. Senior heifer – R and A Simmers. Yearling heifer – D and DM Leslie.

British Blues (Judge: S Youngson, Westerton). Champion – S Balfour, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul, the four-year-old, Newroddige Jemima. She took champion at Turriff and Grantown and is a daughter of Mountjoy Utopia and out of Tamhorn Foxtail Lily. Reserve – G Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith with the eight-month-old bull calf, Aultmore Ozone. He is by Astrics JJ and out of Aultmore Klassy. Senior bull – M Robertson. Junior bull, calf – G Patterson. Cow – S Balfour.

AOB pure beef (Judge: S Youngson). Champion – D and R Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet Banffshire with the two-year-old Salers bull, Cleuchhead Munro, a son of Cuil Godfather.

Cross cattle haltered (Judge: I Miller, Lurg House, Midmar). Champion – B Duffton and R Stuart, 2 Bogie Street, Huntly, with their 14-month-old heifer, I’ll Be There. She picked up her seventh championship here today, after taking supreme champion at Echt, New Deer and Banchory as well as reserve inter-breed at Turriff, Black Isle and Grantown. She is bred by Stuart Raeburn purchased at Thainstone Spring show. Reserve – B Paterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, with their eight-month-old Limousin cross heifer that was reserve at Fettercairn, Echt, Black Isle and Turriff. She was bought alongside her dam as a calf at foot from Craig and Katreen Malone, Pitcairn, and is sired by Lodge Hamlet. Cow, heifer calf – B Paterson. Senior heifer, junior heifer, yearling heifer, Senior bullock, yearling bullock – B Duffton and R Stuart. Junior bullock – G Hendry. YFC heifer, YFC bullock – L Milne.

Cross cattle unhaltered (Judge: E Gordon, Wellheads, Huntly). Champion – S Smith, The Byre, Sunnyhill Croft, Turriff, with a suckler cow and calf. Reserve – M Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul, with the second prize suckler cow and calf. Pen of two under 30 months – B Duffton and R Stuart. Suckler cow and calf born on or after January 1, Suckler cow and calf born on/after 1st September 2018 and before January 1, 2019 – S Smith.

Beef young handlers (Judge: I Miller). 8-12 years – Grant Rhind. 13-14 years – Emma Stronach. 15-16 years – Faye Wilkie.

Clydesdale (Judge: Anne Brown, Mains of Charleston Croft, Nigg, Aberdeen). Overall horse and champion – I Young, Wellheads, Clochan, Buckie, with seven-year-old mare, Arradoul Ellie May. She is a daughter of Arradoul Cardhu and out of Arradoul Majesta. Her daughter, Arradoul Olivia, was champion at Turriff and reserve at Echt. Reserve – J Gibb, Shoemakers Croft, Clola, Mintlaw, with the eight-year-old male, Collessie Full Monty, he was reserve horse here last year as well as reserve at Echt and New Deer. He is a son of Collessie Stepping Stone and out of Sandhill Ellie May. Mare, two-year-old filly – I Young. Foal progeny of mare, Colt of Gelding, ridden pure or part bred four-years and over – G and R Skinner. Stallion or gelding over three-years-old – J Gibb. Young handler – Sophie Mitchell (13).

Highland ponies (Judge: Jennifer Allan, Freuchie Mill, Freuchie, Fife). Champion – Beverley Cole, Sod Inn Kininmonth, Peterhead, with the nine-year-old mare, Overhall Lark. She is a daughter of North Wells Super Scot and out of Curlew of Camusericht and picked up her first championship. Reserve – G and A Towns, Easdale Markethill, Turriff with the yearling filly, Brodie of Forglen. She was first at Turrift and Echt and is by Nelson of Caenlochan and out of Tannah of Forglen. Yeld mare – Beverley Cole. Stallion or gelding over four-year-old, ridden pony over four-years-old – Fiona Menzies. Yearling colt, filly, gelding, two or three-years-old cold, filly, gelding – G and A Towns.

Shetland ponies – Standard (Judge: S Pitcairn, Alloway drive, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow). Champion – I Spence and K Nicol, Suie Vale, Middle Steading, Alford, with the eight-year-old mare, Warrakston Tamara. She is a daughter of Scamells Criterirm and out of Tay of Hutton. Previously she has taken overall champion at Brodie, champion at Banchory and Echt and reserve at New Deer. Reserve – M Whyte and M Hector, Little Woodend, Drummuir, Keith, with the four-year-old mare, Littlewoodend Dixie. She is by Arnum of Auckhorn and out of Mill of Towie Fay. Stallion over four-years-old, mare with foal – Christine Forbes. Foal – M Whyte and M hector. Gelding or mare four-year-old or over – I Spence and K Nicol.

Blackface (Judge: R Flett, Blackpark Croft House, Ardersier). Champion – W Stewart, Bomakelloch, Drummuir, Keith, with a Midlock ewe by Hawkeye which has bred sons of the £35,000 Dalchirla and had a Dougie mother, which is a Midlock bred son of the £25,000 Nunnerie. Reserve – Glenrinnes Farms, Glenrinnes Lodge, Dufftown with a two-shear tup bred by Hartside, which also picked up a third prize ticket at the Royal Highland. Aged tup, shearling tup, tup lamb – Glenrinnes Farms. Ewe, gimmer – W Stewart. Ewe lamb – L Smith.

Blueface Leicesters (Judge: M Ross, The Arr, Lethen, Nairn). Champion – C Milne, Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde, with a one-crop ewe by Kirkby Redgate Jackpot (J1). As a lamb she took reserve female at Turriff. Reserve – J Proctor, Nether Aucharnie Bungalow, Forgue, Huntly, with a ewe lamb on it’s first outing. She is by a Whinnyhall tup and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged tup, ewe lamb – J Proctor. Shearling tup, gimmer – R and K Williams. Ewe, tup lamb – C Milne.

Suffolk (Judge: Irene Fowlie, Adziel, Strichen). Champion and reserve – L McAuley, Ashgrove Place, Elgin, their champion was their reserve from the Black Isle. The ewe was bought in at the Christmas spectacular and is a daughter of the Irongray Iron Man. Their reserve ticket was for their first prize gimmer also bought at the Christmas spectacular, which is by Limestone Legend and out of a Birness ewe. She took female champion at the Black Isle show this year. Shearling tup – K Ingram. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – L McAuley. Tup lamb – S and S Wilson.

Texel (Judge: A Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie). Inter-breed sheep, champion and reserve – WJ and M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, with a home-bred gimmer by Strathbogie Yes Sir and out of a Rohan bred ewe. She was inter-breed and supreme champion at Fettercairn and champion at the Black Isle. Their reserve ticket was for a two-crop ewe by Bradleys Wonderland and out of the same mother as the champion. As a lamb she took reserve champion at Echt and Banchory. Aged tup – K Ingram. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – WJ and M Hunter. Tup lamb – J Green.

Charollais (Judge: WJ Hunter, Insch). Reserve inter-breed sheep, champion and reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Peterhead, with their Royal Highland winne, a gimmer by Loanhead Single Malt and out of a home-bred show ewe by Riverdale Noble. Reserve was a tup lamb bred the same way as the champion, on his second outing after taking a second at Turiff. All classes – Eilidh and Erin Duncan.

Beltex (Judge: P Delday, Monkshill Croft, Fyvie). Champion – R and K Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly, with a gimmer that is for sale at the Beltex Beauties sale. She is a daughter of Black Jack True Lies which goes back to The Godfather. Reserve – Z Rennie, 4 South Street, Newmill, Keith, with a ewe lamb by Matts Bull Shot and out of Rennie Brenda. She picked up a first prize ticket at Nairn this year. Aged tup – W Milton and S Coull. Shearling tup, ewe, ewe lamb, tup lamb – Z Rennie. Gimmer – R and K Williams.

Jacob (Judge: S Dalrymple, Fairspark, Bo’ness). Champion – A Christie, Birchfield Midtown of Glass, Huntly with a ewe lamb by Hope Knock Out, which has been shown successfully and out of Milldale Edie. She took reserve female champion at the Royal Highland as well as champion at Black Isle and Fettercairn. Reserve – J Milton, Newton of Auchindachy Drummuir, Keith, with the second prize ewe lamb, a daughter of Arkleside Dudley and out of a Coldrife ewe. Aged tup – I Forsyth. Shearling tup – M Milton. Ewe, ewe lamb – A Christie. Gimmer – L McKendrick. Tup lamb – J Milton.

Zwartbles (Judge: J Mair, Hollies, Seaview, Dunmore, Beauly). Champion – S and I Wilson, Bogs of Paithnick, Grange, Keith, with a two-shear tup. He is by Donbraid Big D out of a Carrah ewe. Previously he was reserve champion at the Scottish National show at Stirling. Reserve – Faye Wilkie, Whitestone, Skene Westhill, Aberdeenshire with a shearling tup, a son of East Middle Ben Nevis and out of a Didcot ewe. He previously took reserve champion at New Deer and Turriff. Aged tup – S and I Wilson. Shearling tup, ewe lamb, tup lamb – F Wilkie. Ewe, gimmer – L and R Sharp.

AOB pure sheep MV accredited (Judge: R Henderson, Barry House, Glenbarry, Banff). Champion – F Jackson, Boghead, Lumsden, with a one-crop Bleu du Maine that was bought at Carlisle from Jonathan Stables. She is by Rumwell Jonas and out of Dunelm Moveit. Previously champion at Turriff and Black Isle. Reserve – M Sheed, Aldinnie, Rhynie, with a Poll Dorset gimmer by Richill Stalon. Aged tup – Z Rennie. Shearling tup, ewe, ewe lamb – R and C Cruden. Gimmer – M Sheed. Tup lamb – J Duncan.

AOB sheep non MV accredited (Judge: R Henderson). Champion and reserve – A Milne, Woodside Road, Banchory, with a two-shear home-bred tup. Ternan Xerox picked up his first championship and is a son of Wellfield Stuart. Their reserve ticket was the ewe lamb, St Tenan Xenon, he is also by the same sire and out of a Wellfield dam. Tup lamb – C McKenzie. All other classes – A Milne.

Rare and minority primitive and Northern Shortail (Judge: T Willox, Parkview, Rothienorman). Champion – S Hurford, Upper Inchallon, Pluscarden, Elgin, with the gimmer, Ecclesmachan Alysia. She is by Ecclesmachan Scapa and out of St Baldred's Gwen. Reserve – L Thompson and J Graham, Upper Third Croft, Rothienorman, Inverurie, with the second prize gimmer. The champion at Turriff is a daughter of Rosebank Ragnor and out of Elf of Derwent. Aged tup, shearling tup – D and C Collie. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – L Thompson and J Graham. Gimmer – S Hurford. Tup lamb – N and Z Robson.

Rare and minority rare, hill and upland (Judge: T Willox). Champion – E Riddoch, Seggiecrook, Grange, Keith, with a tup lamb on its first outing. He is by Pentland Nero and out of a home-bred ewe that was champion here last year. Reserve – F Davidson with a Poll Dorset ewe lamb on its first outing. She is by Pembroke Warburton and out of a registered Pure Poll ewe. Aged tup – N and Z Robson. Shearling tup – K Milne. Ewe, tup lamb – E Riddoch. Ewe lamb – F Davidson.

Half-breds and crosses (Judge: D Clark, Faskally, Glebe Road, Nairn). Champion – F Fettes with a ewe and twin lambs. Reserve – W Stewart with a pen of three ewe lambs. Pen of three Greyface, Mule or half-bred ewes – JC Milne. Pen of three Greyface, Mule or half-bred gimmers – D and DM Leslie. Pen of three Greyface, Mule or half-bred ewe lambs – W Stewart. Pen of three any other crosses, pen of gimmers, pen of ewe lambs – D and C Milne. Pen of three prime cross lambs – S Walls. Ewe and twin lambs – F Fettes.

Sheep young handlers (Judge: L Mair, Kinnermit, Turriff). 14-16 years – Finn Christie. 10-13 years – Gregor Milne. Nine and under – Harriet Cullingworth-Milton.