Foal is special VE Day arrival

Local Clydesdale breeders enjoyed a extra special VE Day celebration with the early morning arrival of a colt foal – Gersa Sir Murray.

The foal belongs to Mikey and Jacqueline Munro, Holly View, Janetstown, and is the second foal out of their mare West Glen Apple Blossom, and by the stallion Arradoul Balvenie, which stands at stud at Collessie in Fife.

With a due date of April 28, the couple have had a very anxious wait for this special arrival who came into the world at 4.35am.

"It was a lovely day to have it as it's such a special anniversary and important to remember those who fought for our county," said Jacqueline.

"It has been a quiet day for us just looking out over the mare and foal and reading about how people have been celebrating."

Clydesdale horses were widely conscripted by the army to serve during the World War I, while throughout the duration of WWII they continued to be a valuable asset on local farms.

The foal has been named after the late Murray Allan, of Durran Mains, along with the breeders' prefix.

The couple bought the mare when she was seven months old and have shown her successfully around Scotland.

Jacqueline said: "We bred her first foal too, who is now rising two. She is Gersa Lady Lauren and is a full sister to the newborn foal."

Mikey's uncle Wing Munro, former Thurso lifeboat coxswain, can remember Clydesdales being stabled in Scrabster back in the day when they were used to tow the lifeboat.

With a long family connection with the Thurso RNLI and with Mikey being a current crew member, the couple use the lifeboat colours – navy and orange – in their showing decorations.

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