The first run of the day at Fort Augustus from Kenny Brehmer’s Huthwaite Roy, proved unbeaten all day.

The Cheviot gimmers behaved reasonably well on a rising course, but could be touchy when they felt so inclined.

Roy (SN Wilkinson’s Joss and Huthwaite Holly) ran out cleanly, and although he had a slight waver on his lift and fetch, made a first class job of fetching the sheep to Kenny. As the gimmers went through the first drive gate, Roy’s effort to turn them neatly hooked them back a little, but once put on line, they made a good cross drive.

Roy put the sheep under pressure in the close work, but he penned without a break, and although he was slightly hesitant to shed, he established a standard and held on to first place throughout the day, although the competition was hot on his heels.

Alan Wilkie’s Spot (GE Lightfoot’s Cap, E Williams’ Bet) too, ran out cleanly to the top and again, lifted with a slight waver. His fetch was very good, but on the drive, one ewe slipped by the far side of the cross drive gate, due to pilot error. A clean pen followed, but the shed was not as quite as precise as the judge might have liked and the run took second place.

The Scotch Mules, running on a flat field at Westruther, tested the dogs, especially at the pen.

Julie Hill’s Molly (J Hill’s Ban and Kim) ran out well, made a decent job of lifting the sheep and had a good fetch. She turned them tidily round Julie at the post, where other dogs struggled to make a neat job of it, and kept good lines and tight turns on the drive. Molly penned with only a small break, which she dealt with appropriately and completed the winning run with a very good shed and a comfortable lead over the field.

The Blackface ewes at New Cumnock came from the hill and might have preferred to have stayed there, rather than be driven round a course set across the side of a slope in wet weather, although it brightened up later in the day.

Sandy McCulloch’s Sam (A Lehtio’s Coel, BJ Bowen’s Pat) ran out well, if just slightly short, but he lifted nicely and had a good fetch. The ewes were tricky to negotiate round Sandy’s feet, but they kept a good line on the drive. Sam penned after a break and completed the winning run with a good shed.

LEADING awards

North Circuit

Kincraig I (Judge: D Murray, Rogart). Open – 68 ran – 1, K Schwarze’s Dot, Denbigh, 93; 2, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 92 outbye; 3, C Cassie’s Sean, Lancs., 92; 4, M Grant’s Cashlie, Forss, 91; 5, M Davidson’s Groesfaen Taff, Lilburn, 90 Outbye; 6, A McCulloch’s Risp, Dalmellington, 90; 7, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 88; 8, M MacNally’s Ash, Invergarry, 86. Puck Ross memorial trophy – K Schwarze’s Dot.

Kincraig II (Newtonmore) (Judge: JF McInnes, Alness). Open – 57 ran – 1, P Martin’s Kay, Glenlyon, 98; 2, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 95; 3, H Johnstone’s Fellgate Bella, Fyvie, 94 outbye; 4, J McKenzie’s Tweedie, Turriff, 94 Outbye; 5, M MacNally’s Raja, Invergarry, 94; 6, C Cassie’s Lady, Lancs., 91.

Kincraig III (Kingussie) (Judge: M Davidson, Lilburn). Open – 48 ran – 1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 94; 2, K Brehmer’s Cynfal Gwen, New Bythe, 92; 3, B Smith’s Lass, Dunrossness, 91 outbye; 4, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 91; 5, K Brehmer’s Huthwaite Roy, New Bythe, 90; 6, N Ross’ Bill, Kingussie, 89. Peter Fullerton memorial trophy – P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon.

Nethy Bridge (Pityoulish) (Judge:W Morrison, West Yell). Open – 33 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 89; 2, M Davidson’s Dot, Lilburn, 88 outbye; 3, JR Welsh’s Tanhill Sam, 88 outbye; 4, C Cassie’s Sean, Lancs., 88; 5, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 84 outbye; 6, M Davidson’s Groesfaen Taff, Lilburn, 84. Local – 1, T Ross’ Joe, Kingussie, 39 /60; 2, Z George’s Jinx, Nethy Bridge, 32. North Counties – H MacLean’s Moss, Culloden, 68.

Watten (Judge: W Sutherland, Reay). Open – 46 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 93; 2, P Martin’s Kay, Glenlyon, 87; 3, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 85; 4, M Davidson’s Groesfaen Taff, Lilburn, 84; 5, M Grant’s Cashlie, Forss, 83; 6, MC Shearer’s Roy, Westfield, 82. County – 1, M Grant’s Cashlie, Forss, 83; 2, MC Shearer’s Roy, Westfield, 82; 3, MC Shearer’s Tib, Westfield, 81; 4, M Grant’s Fred, Forss, 78; 5, M Sutherland’s Liz, Halkirk, 77; 6, D Simpson’s Gael, Barrock, 75. Novice – 1, D Worthington’s Ace, Skarfskerry.

Mey (Judge: J MacKenzie, Ardormie). Open – 50 ran – 1, MC Shearer’s Tib, Westfield,107/110; 2, W Morrison’s Straid Nell, Yell,106; 3, M Grant’s Cashlie, Forss,104; 4, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 103; 5, H Johnstone’s Roy, Fyvie, 100; 6, W Cormack’s Jill, Dunnet, 95. County – 1, MC Shearer’s Tib, Westfield,107; 2, M Grant’s Cashlie, Forss, 104; 3, W Cormack’s Jill, Dunnet, 95; 4, M Cook’s Joe, Halkirk, 94; 5, T McPhee’s Scott, Wick, 85; 6, MC Shearer’s Roy, Westfield, 84.

Brora (Judge: J Ogston. Killin). Open – 48 ran – 1, MC Shearer’s Tib, Westfield, 89 Run Off; 2, S Renwick’s Dice, Inverbroom, 89; 3, EC MacKinnon’s Buddy, Lochcarron, 87; 4, K Brehmer’s Cynfal Gwen, New Bythe, 86; 5, MC Shearer’s Roy, Westfield, 85; 6, H Johnstone’s Roy, Fyvie, 83 outbye; 7, I MacKay’s Glen, Leanach, 83; 8, D Murray’s Ali, North Roe, 81 outbye; 9, W Cormack’s Jill, Dunnet, 81; 10, M Grant’s Cashlie, Forss, 80. Local – 1, J McKenzie’s Meg, Strathnaver, 82; 2, N Sutherland’s Heatherhill Heck, Strathnaver, 74; 3, J Ross’ Nan, Achaillach, 72; 4, I Sutherland’s Sid, Strathnaver, 67.

Fort Augustus (Judge:R MacDiarmid, Cairndow). Open – 49 ran – 1, K Brehmer’s Huthwaite Roy, New Bythe, 92; 2, A Wilkie’s Spot (Mot), Glenmoy, 91; 3, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 89 outbye; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 89; 5, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 88 outbye; 6, J MacKillop’s Zac, Fort Augustus, 88. Local – 1, J MacKillop’s Zac, Fort Augustus, 88; 2, M MacNally’s Ash, Invergarry, 80; 3, F Fulford’s Pip, Eracht, 49.

New Cumnock (Judge: W McMillan, Straiton). Open – 38 ran – 1, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 88; 2, F Shennan’s Mia, Barr, 87; 3, S McCrindle’s Kate, Palnackie, 86; 4, F Shennan’s Spot, Barr, 85; 5, C Caygill’s Luck, Whinnyliggate, 83; 6, W Welsh’s Chance (Chase), Dalcairney, 74; 7, N Gillon’s Shweep (Sweep), Dailly, 73; 8, A McCulloch’s Risp, Dalmellington, 72.

Atholl and Weem (Judge; AD Carnegie, Comrie). Open – 55 ran – 1, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 94 Run off; 2, L Magnusson’s Kate, Mid Derry, 94; 3, SL Davidson’s Gillieglen Queen, Sandbank, 93; 4, IM Brownlie’s Lia, Deuchrie, 92 outbye; 5, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 92 Outbye; 6; A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 92; 7, A Olofssson’s Mid Derry Craig, Alyth, 91; 8, M MacNally’s Ash, Invergarry, 88; 9, A Wilkie’s Spot (Mot), Glenmoy, 89; 10, C Davidson’s Taff, Sandbank, 88. Local – 1, K Craig’s Eadie, Tulliemet, 81; 2, S Martin’s Mo, Cashlie, 78; 3, D Corbett’s Tess, Aberfeldy, 58; 4, K Craig’s Bug, Tulliemet, 54; 5, D Shepherd’s Wisp, Raemore, 51.

Westruther (Judge: D Wallace, Blythbank). Open – 36 ran – 1, J Hill’s Molly, Heriot, 82; 2, D Gilchrist’s Dan, Oxton, 78; 3, C Dickson’s Thistledown Ged, Coldingham, 76; 4, S Morgan’s Tess, Heriot, 74; 5, RB Henderson’s Bonnie, Heriot, 74; 6, R Henderson’s Jude, Crawford, 71.

Gatehouse (Judge: J Paterson, Kirkcowan). Open – 48 ran – 1, D Scrimgeour’s Killiebrae Jet, Wigton, 82; 2, S McCrindle’s Kate, Palnackie, 79; 3, AR Mundell’s Taff, Moffat, 77; 4, JA Common’s Groesfaen Mac, Lockerbie, 70; 5, S McCrindle’s Zak, Palnackie, 69 outbye; 6, L de Ravel’s Meg, Wigton, 69; 7, W Welsh’s Doug, Dalcairney, 63; 8, N Gillon’s Shweep, Dailly, 62; 9, A Stewart’s Jim, Lockerbie, 58.