Gavin takes top ploughing prizes at Latheron parish match

By Staff Reporter- NOSN

Published: 18:29, 19 November 2019

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.

Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

Gavin Robertson, Barrock, on his way to lifting the overall champion cup.

BARROCK man Gavin Robertson acquired a clutch of trophies after taking the top honours at the Latheron Parish Ploughing Association match at the weekend.

Held on Saturday at Banks Lodge, Watten, by kind permission of John Swanson, the event attracted competitors from as far as North Kessock. It had originally been scheduled for October 19 but had to be postponed because of bad weather.

Saturday's conditions could not have been better for the time of year, with a touch of frost clearing to give a fine, sunny day.

Mr Robertson was awarded the perpetual cup presented by Gunns (Lybster) Ltd for the champion of the field as well as awards for best start on the field, overall finish, best start and finish combined, straightest furrow and neatest ends.

The ploughing judges were Andrew Mitchell, Dave Carnegie, Donald Fraser, Fraser Maclennan, Ian Cruickshank and Dennis Hampton, while Sammy Streight cast an expert eye over the tractors.

Gallery1

Junior competitor Alexander Campbell, Lingland, Lybster, in the reversible two/three-furrow class with a New Holland tractor and Kverneland three-furrow plough, keeps a close eye as he finishes his lot.

Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl, with his International tractor, makes an adjustment to the Fiskars plough.

Campbell Morrison, West Greenland, on an International tractor and International plough in the vintage mounted class.

A couple of collie dogs take in the action at the ploughing match.

Gavin Robertson in his Ford tractor and two-furrow reversible Kverneland plough, shows his championship form.

Gerald Macleod, North Kessock, with a Fordson Super Dexta and Ransomes plough takes first place in the vintage mounted class.

Graeme Mackay, Buldoo, driving a John Deere, makes a final adjustment to his Kverneland plough as Robbie Flett looks on.

Ian Sinclair, Thurso, in the 12-inch and over class with a Massey Ferguson 135 and Ransomes plough.

John Gunn, North Killimster, in a David Brown with a Bamford plough.

John Matheson, North Kessock, was runner-up with an International Tractor Ransomes plough in the vintage trailing class.

Michael Mackay, West Greenland, in action. Pictures: Willie Mackay

Gladys Gunn presents ploughing champion Gavin Robertson with one of the many trophies he won on the field. Alongside them is Chrissie Polson, who was also on hand to present the awards. Looking on are some of the day's other prizewinners.

Junior competitor Scott Rosie, Bower, in the multifurrow class with a massive Massey Ferguson tractor and four-furrow reversible Kverneland plough.

William Mackay, Killimster, with a Ford 4000 and a Ransomes plough gets through the 12-inch and over class.

Junior competitor William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock, with a giant Fendt tractor and four-furrow reversible Kverneland plough.

Robbie Flett in the 12-inch and over class with a John Deere, stops to make an adjustment to his Fiskars plough.

Results – 12-inch and over: 1 and Alister Macleod Memorial Cup, Graeme Mackay, Buldoo; 2 Stevie Blackwood, Thurso; 3 Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl. Best start, finish, straightest: G Mackay.

Two and three furrow reversible: 1 and James Tait Cup, Gavin Robertson, Barrock; 2 Alexander Campbell, Lybster. Best start, finish, straightest: G Robertson.

Reversibles, multifurrow: 1 and Latheron Parish Association Shield, Scott Rosie, Hunster; 2 Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss; 3 William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock. Best start and straightest: C Gunn. Finish: S Rosie.

G Hepburn Shield and David Gunn Memorial Trophy: G Robertson. Robertson Inkstack Cup: S Rosie.

Vintage mounted: 1 and Baikie Butcher, Lybster, Perpetual Cup, Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 2 Michael Sutherland, Murkle; 3 Robert Farquhar, Stanstill. Best start: Christopher Coghill. Best finish, straightest: G Macleod.

Vintage trailing: 1 and Mackay Cup, Michael Mackay, West Greenland; 2 John Matheson, North Kessock. Best start, finish, straightest: M Mackay

Juniors: 1 and Latheron Parish Association Shield, S Rosie; 2 and Andrew Polson Shield, A Campbell; 3 W Ronaldson. Best start, finish, straightest: A Campbell

G Robertson Shield, J Tait Shield, cup presented by Andrew Polson, Smerlie (to be won three times), and Ballykelly Shield: A Campbell. Portland Arms Shield: S Rosie.

Overall trophies – J K Manson Shield for best work done with Massey Ferguson tractor: S Rosie. Upper Northfield Cup for best vintage tractor and plough: R Farquhar. Strath Cup for best ploughed lot in vintage (confined to county): M Mackay. William Murray Memorial Trophy for best start St Clair Hotel Cup for overall finish, John Polson Memorial Trophy for best start and finish (perpetual), John Polson Cup for the overall straightest furrow, Latheron Ploughing Association Quaich for the neatest ends, perpetual cup presented by Gunns (Lybster) Ltd for the champion: G Robertson.

John R Gunn, Gersa, Cup for the reserve overall on the field: G Mackay. Clachan Cup for the parish champion: A Campbell. Tait and Robertson Cup presented by James Tait and Gavin Robertson for third overall: S Rosie.

Shield presented by Chrissie Polson for best boilersuit: S Blackwood.

Novelty prizes – Youngest ploughman: Craig Gunn. Oldest ploughman: Robert Farquhar. Best-looking ploughman: Gavin Sutherland.

Gavin takes top ploughing prizes at Latheron parish match

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.

Gallery1

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.