A new showfield within walking distance of the town, coupled with a packed line-up of cattle, sheep and horses to be judged in the Davidson Park showground, ensured a huge turnout at Nairn Show.

On the day it was 25-month old Limousin heifer, Breconside Raine from Michael Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul that was crowned champion of champions.

“She stood out on the day, being good on her legs. The Highland was good too but the Limousin had the edge said the overall beef judge, Andrew Reid, Hill of Logie, Ellon.

Supreme sheep was the Beltex champion, a gimmer from WD Stephen and Co, Meikle Geddes, Nairn, with the Bluefaced Leicester champion from Raymond Baynes, Blackford, Croy in reserve.

Leading the horse section was the champion Clydesdale from Eric and Miranda Johnstone from Muir of Ord, and the Highland pony from Shona Halford, from Brodie took the reserve rosette.

Nairnshire Farming Society’s president Henry Sleigh said a huge amount of work had went on by the committee setting up the show on the new ground describing it as almost starting the annual event from scratch.

LEADING awards

Highland (Judge: A Smith). Champion – Tordarroch Estates, Farr, Inverness with the two-year-old heifer, Alice 22 of Tordarroch by Macrae of Maol and out of Alice 20of Tardarroch. Previous champion at Sutherland Show. Reserve – Leys Castle Farm, Inverness with the six-year-old bull, Dougald 2 of Leys by Jock of Lyntoun and out of Dosan 16 of Leys. Previous champion at Nairn, Black Isle and Grantown in 2019. Aged bull, heifer calf – Leys Castle Farm. Young bull, cow, yearling heifer – Tordarroch Estates.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: E Campbell). Champion – Ballindalloch Home Farm, Ballindalloch with the four-year-old cow, Ballindalloch Pev by Deveron Lookout, out of Ballindalloch Proxima. Reserve – A and K Rhind and Son, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss with the senior bull, Idvies Ed. Aged bull – A and K Rhind and Son. Young bull – TJ and G Maclean, 1 Raddery, Fortrose, Raddery. Bull calf – LM Forbes, Lochdhu, Nairn. Cow, heifer, heifer calf – Ballindalloch Home Farm. Yearling heifer – D and B Walker, Galcantray, Cawdor Nairn.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: E Campbell). Champion – G Stephen, Hatton Farm, Dallas with the two-year-old heifer, Lancaster Liz 38 of Skaillhouse by Chapelton Lionheart out of Lancaster Liz of Skailhouse, and reserve with a yearling heifer, Glen Dual Gorgeous Rose by Chapelton Typhoon out of HW Gorgeous Tessa.

Limousin (Judge: A Hornall). Champion – M Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul with the two-year-old heifer, Breconside Raine by Gunnerfleet Ittun and out of Breconside Jane. Reserve – R and K Davidson, Cousairtly, Keith. Young bull – R and K Davidson. Cow, maiden heifer, heifer calf – WD Stephen and Co, Meikle Geddes. In-calf heifer – M Robertson,.

Simmental (Judge: A Hornall) Champion – WG Macpherson, Blackford, Croy with the six-year-old cow, Blackford Hyalite and her bull calf, by Kilbride Farm Double Action, out of Blackford Amber. Champion at Black Isle, Nairn and Grantown as a two-year-old, and reserve with a 16-month-old bull, Blackford Mustang by Heathbrow Important and out of Blackford Frosty. All classes – WG MacPherson.

Charolais (Judge: A Hornall). Champion – J Irvine and Sons, Inverlochy, Tomintoul with the three-year-old cow, Inverlochy Parasol with calf at foot by Balthayock Maestro and out of Inverlochy Lily. Reserve – M Harrison and D Irvine, Drakemyers, Forgie, Keith with 17-month-old heifer, Silvermere Solero by Balbithan Napoleon and out of Silvermere Ocara. Young bull – RA Milne and Sons Kennyshillock, Lhanbride, Elgin. Cow – J Irvine and Son. Maiden heifer – M Harison and D Irvine. Heifer calf – A and K Rhind and Son, Newton Of Struthers.

Cross-bred cattle (Judge: A Greenlaw) – Tilly Munro, Invercharron, Ardgay with the Young Farmers’ champion, Teenage Tantrum, a 14-month-old Limousin cross Bitish Blue cross calf bought from Shewglie Farms at Drumnadrochit. Young farmers’ champion at Latheron, Caithness and Sutherland. Reserve – M Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul with Black Magic, an 11-month-old Limousin cross heifer bought at Carlisle. Cow – G Fraser, Little Croy Farm, Croy Inverness. Steer, steer calf – Fraser Family, Easter Clune, Lethan, Nairn. Heifer calf born autumn 2021 – M Robertson. Heifer calf born 2022, pair – J Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay. Young handler under 15 years – A Fettes, Braes of Enzies. Cow and calf born 2021 – WD Stephen and Co, Meikle Geddes Farm, Nairn. Cow and calf born 2022 – Leys Castle, Estate Office, Inverness.

Any other beef breed (Judge: E Campbell). Champion – C Smith and Anna Wilson, The Workshop, Wester Cairnglass, Ardersier with a 16-month-old Hereford heifer, Milovaig 1 Lady Anna, by Shraden 1 Perestroika and out of Milovaig 1 Lady Isla. Junior champion at Royal Highland Show. Reserve – Sarah Balfour, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul with a 12-month-old British Blue bull, Fodderletter Rigby by Gregmaur Osman and out of Black n’Blue Lady Lloyd.

Blackface (Judge: C Cameron). Champion – R Flett, Blackpark Croft Cottage, Ardersier with a three-crop ewe by an Auldhouseburn sire. Reserve – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown with a three-shear tup by a Merkland sire. Aged ram, shearling ram – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown. Ewe, ewe lamb, gimmer, group of three, tup lamb pair – R Flett. Tup lamb, ewe lamb pair – K Johnstone, Garthbeg, Gorthleck.

Suffolk (Judge: G Christie). Champion – L McAulay, Tombain Farm, Dunphail with a home-bred ewe by Howgillfoot Sniper. Reserve – Messrs Bissett Marlain, Culnaskeith, Evanton with a ewe, Beechcrest Chrissy by Burnview Gin ‘n’ Tonic. Aged tup – K Ingram, 2 Balloch view, Grange, Keith. Ewe – Messrs Bisset. Tup lamb, ewe lamb– L McAuley, Tombain Farm, Dunphail, Forres.

Texel (Judge: K Jarvie). Champion – J Chisholm, Wester Moy Urray Muir of Ord with a home-bred ewe by Hilltop Bolivio. Reserve – M Renwick, Beallechaul Texels, Dingwall with a ewe lamb by Sportsmans Daredevil. Aged tup – K Ingram, 2 Balloch view, Grange, Keith. Shearling tup – L Nicol 133 Knockomie Rise, Forres. Ewe, tup lamb – J Chisholm. Gimmer – P Gill, Duncroft, Wester Raddery, Fortrose. Ewe Lamb – M Renwick.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: J Proctor). Champion – R Baynes, Blackford, Croy with a ewe lamb by an Auchry sire and reserve with a two-crop ewe. All classes – R Baynes.

Beltex (Judge: R Gregor). Champion – WD Stephen and Co, Meikle Geddes, Nairn, with the gimmer, Ardstewart Grace Lynn, by Swffryd Express and out of Ardstewart Clipso. Reserve – Z Rennie, Newmill, Keith with a three-shear tup Wannops Fatboy Slim by Matts Edward and out of Aviemore Bivizi. Aged tup, shearling tup – Z Rennie. Ewe – B and S Reive, Glenbow, Craigrorie cott, Fortrose. Gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb– WD Stephen and Co, Meikle Geddes.

Zwartbles (Judge: Clare Anderson). Champion – K and W Anderson, Cairnhill, Farr with a ewe lamb, Cairnhill Kinrara by Donfraid Jay and out of Holmepride Ferrero. Reserve – L and R Sharp, The Paddock, Drumtemplecroft, Gorthleck with a tup lamb by Craigies Johnny Cash and out of Hayberries Fix Fire. Shearling tup, ewe, ewe lamb – K and W Anderson. Gimmer, tup lamb – L and R Sharp.

Jacob (R Henderson). Champion – A Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly with a one-crop ewe by Cairdwood Dynamite and out of Adamski Helen, by Oldtown Invincible and reserve with a ewe lamb, Adamski Kim by Harbell Harper. Tup, gimmer – J Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Drummuir, Keith. Ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – A Christie.

Cross-bred sheep (Judge: H Fraser). Champion – L Anderson, Plewlands, Duffus with three February-born Suffolk cross Texel cross ewe lambs. Reserve – G Breathet, Woodside Croft, Blackpark, Inverness with three March-born ewe lambs by a Logie Durno tup. Ewe – G Breathet. Gimmer – A Sleigh, Newseat of Tolquhon, Tarves, Ellon. Three breeding ewe lambs – L Anderson. Three ewe lambs, three prime wedder lambs – A Aird, Glenurquhart, Cromarty.

Mules (Judge: S Johnstone). Champion – D and DM Leslie, Redhill, Mosstowie, Elgin, with three gimmers bought as ewe lambs from The Raws, Dufftown. Reserve – K and J Matheson, Milton of Aberarder, Strathnairn with three ewe lambs. Three gimmers, three gimmers (non-member of Highland Mule Breeders Association) – D and DM Leslie. Three ewe lambs – K and J Matheson.

Any other accredited breed (Judge: Ms Sheed). Champion – Y Spence, Gowan Brae, Skye of Curr, Dulnain Bridge with a Charollais ewe lamb, Abracadabra by Braemar Voltaire and out of Oopsadaisy. Reserve – L Taylor, Butlers Cottage, Haddo Estate, Methlick with a Blue Texel gimmer by Annside Evo. Aged tup – T Jackson, Boghead, Lumsden, Huntly. Shearling tup – D and A Henderson, Marantha Craggiemore, Daviot. Ewe, ewe lamb – Y Spence. Gimmer – C Taylor. Tup Lamb – A and K Rhind and Son, Newton of Struthers Kinloss.

Any other non-accredited breed (Judge: Ms Sheed). Champion – L Anderson, Plewlands, Duffus with a Dorset ewe lamb. Reserve – S Hurford, Upperinchallan, Pluscarden with a Shetland gimmer, Quoys Dot by Quoys Gwenson. Aged tup, ewe – A Aird, Glenurquhart, Cromarty. Shearling up – U Leonadri, 3 Rockfield, Portmahomack. Gimmer – S Hurford. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – L Anderson.

Clydesdales (Judge: Mr Leverett). Champion – E and M Johnstone, Muir of Ord with a three-year-old yeld mare, Ord Moanna by Redcastle Braelee Majestic and out of Ord Envy. Reserve – D and B Walker, Galcantray, Cawdor with a four-year-old mare, Galcantray Georgine by Doura Woodhouse Real Deal and out of Stoneyknoll Precious Isabella. Senior gelding, yearling filly – D and B Walker. Yeld mare, male – E and M Johnstone. Brood mare and foal – S Johnstone, Muir of Ord.

Highland (Judge: H Duncan). Champion – Shona Halford, Muirside Steading, Brodie with a two-year-old colt, Balmoral Malt by Balmoral Hercules and out of Cours Bella. Reserve – Wendy Sanders, Rowan Bank, Brae of Kinkell with a four-year-old brood mare, Ruwenzori Harebel by Gillean of Lismor and out of Ruwenzori Foxglove. Brood mare with foal – W Sanders, Rowan Bank, Brae of Kinkell, Ferintosh. Colt, filly or gelding two years – C Hailes, Craigmiller, Upper Knockbain Rd Dingwall. Colt, filly or gelding three years – S Halford, Muir side Steading, Brodie, Forres.

Shetland (Judge: J Harrison) Champion – S Mitchell, Phlair Stud, Conon Bridge with seven-year-old stallion, Newglen Ignite by Stow Prefect. Stallion – S Mitchell. Brood mare, filly – T Pethybridge Balblair Cottage Croy. Foal – T Pethybridge Balblair Cottage Croy. Yeld mare – JD Swan, Teanahaun Croft, Conon Bridge. Yearling – C Window, Carrigil Shetlands, Roadside Cottage Lybster.

Miniature Shetland (Judge: J Harrison) – Champion – S Mitchell, Phlair Stud with an 11-month-old yeld mare, Tillyorn Violet by Wells Baron and reserve with a nine-year-old brood mare, Hartside Posh by Strathlene Lester.