The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Taking honours at sheep event
Thousands of sheep producers from across Scotland flocked to Ross-shire for the Highland Sheep event.
The event, organised by the Scottish branch of the National Sheep Association, was hosted by the Scott family at Fearn Farm, near Tain. The sun shone throughout the day and visitors were able to tour the enterprise which comprises more than 4,000 sheep and 130 Luing and Shorthorn cattle.
The day featured a series of competitions including sheepdog trials.
Retaining the young handlers title, which he secured at the inaugural Highland Sheep event in Dingwall two years ago, was 12 - year- old Joe MacKenzie with his dog Twedie. Joe has been working with dogs since he was nine years old.
TRADE STANDS
Best breed society stand –1 Blackface Sheep Breeders Association; 2 Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders Association; 3 - Jacob Sheep Society.
Best indoor trade stand – 1 N. and J. McQuistin, Airyolland; 2 Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs; 3 Gray’s Feed Services.
Best outdoor trade stand –1 Watson Seeds; 2 Scotpen; 3 Harbro.
SHEPHERDS
Young Shepherd of the Year
1 John Brown, New Deer; 2 Connaire Graham, Aboyne; 3 Martin Scott, Fearn.
Best under 21 – Farquhar Renwick, Ullapool. Highest international competitor – Sam Gemmel, New Zealand.
SHEEPDOG TRIALS
Individual (max points 90) –1 Ian Wilkie, Inverurie, with Floss, 75 (re-run); 2 Hamish MacLean, Inverness, with Roy, 75; 3 Hugh
Munro, Inverness, with Sal, 73.
Overall team award –
Inverness, 63. Young handlers (under 18
years old) – 1 Joe MacKenzie, Turriff, with Twedie, 63; 2 Martin Scott, Fearn, with Kim, 58; 3 Farquhar Renwick, Ullapool, with Leigh, 52.
STOCKJUDGING
Aged 26 and over – 1 Sandy McCarthy, East Mey, Caithness; 2 Danny McCarthy, East Mey; 3 W. D. Manson, Skaill, Caithness.
Aged 25 and under – 1 Alistair McCarthy, East Mey; 2 Jamie MacKinnon; 3 Daniel Skinner.
OTHERS
Guess the weight of the bull (weight 1,560kg) –J Mackenzie, Bridge of Westfield, Thurso. Guess the weight of the ram (weight 95kg) – Graham McKilligan, Turriff.