James is top ploughman at Latheron association’s annual match
James Tait was champion of the field at Latheron Parish Ploughing Association’s 38th annual ploughing match.
He picked up a clutch of trophies after Sunday’s competition held at Tannach Mains by permission of J & W Sinclair, Clachan.
Ploughing judges were Alan and Hazel Mackay, from Invergordon, Gordon Hepburn Snr, of Elgin, and Keith Marshall, from Orkney. Tractors were judged by James Sinclair, Clachan.
A minute’s silence was held at 11am as a mark of respect for Remembrance Sunday.
Prize money was sponsored by the Polson family of Smerlie.

The presentation of prizes took place at Puldagon restaurant.
Results – 12” and over: 1, and winner of Alister Macleod Memorial Cup for best in the 12” class, Gordon Hepburn, Elgin; 2 Donald MacDonald, Larel; 3 John Gunn, Killimster.
Best start, finish, straightest: G Hepburn.
Classic: 1, and winner of the Inverarnie Cup (won outright by John Polson and re-presented in 2022 for best in the classic class), Iain Sinclair, Thurso; 2 Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl; 3 Willie Mackay, Biggins.
Best start: A Sinclair. Finish: I Sinclair. Straightest: Raymond Grant.
Two and three-furrow reversible: 1, and winner of the James Tait Cup for best in two and three-furrow reversible), James Tait, Mey; 2 Gavin Robertson, Barrock; 3 James Gunn, Whitefield.
Best start, finish, straightest: J Tait.
Reversibles – Multifurrow: 1, and winner of the Latheron Parish Association Shield, Scott Rosie, Hunster; 2 Graeme Sinclair, Thurso; 3 James Sinclair, Lybster.
Best start and straightest: S Rosie. Finish: G Sinclair.
Overall reversibles – G Hepburn Shield for best start overall in reversibles, David Gunn Memorial Trophy presented by his family for overall reversible champion (perpetual): J Tait.
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Robertson Inkstack Cup presented by Gavin Robertson for the reserve best in reversibles: G Robertson.
Vintage mounted: 1, and winner of Baikie Butcher, Lybster Perpetual Cup for best in vintage mounted, Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 2 Cameron Coghill, Knockdee; 3 William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.
Start: C Coghill. Finish, straightest: G Macleod.
Vintage trailing: 1, and winner of the Mackay Cup presented by Michael Mackay for best in vintage trailing: Michael Mackay, West Greenland; 2 George Williamson, Dixonfield; 3 John Mathieson, North Kessock.
Start, finish, straightest: M Mackay.
Juniors: 1, and winner of the Latheron Parish Association Shield for junior 21 and under, C Coghill, Knockdee.
Best start, finish and straightest: C Coghill.
G Robertson Shield for best start in the juniors, J Tait Shield for best finish in juniors and Ballykelly Shield presented by S Bain and V Swanson for straightest furrow in juniors: C Coghill.
Class 8 – Demonstrators: 1, and winner of the Gladys Gunn Perpetual Shield for winner of demonstrators: Robertson’s Orkney – Colin Tait, driver G Lord.
Novice: 1, and winner of V A Streight Memorial Shield for winner of novices: Lewis Wright, Wick.
Overall trophies: J K Manson Shield for best work done with Massey Ferguson tractor: G Hepburn.
Upper Northfield Cup for best vintage tractor and plough and Strath Cup for best ploughed lot in vintage (confined to county): M Mackay.
Clachan Cup for parish champion: A Sinclair.
Tait and Robertson Cup presented by James Tait and Gavin Robertson for third Overall: G Hepburn
John R Gunn, Gersa Cup for reserve overall on the field: G Robertson.
William Murray Memorial Trophy for best start on the field, St Clair Hotel Cup for overall finish on the field, John Polson Memorial Trophy presented by his family for best start and finish combined on the field (Perpetual), Latheron Ploughing Association Quaich for the neatest ends on the field, John Polson Cup for overall straightest furrow on the field, Perpetual Cup presented by Gunn’s (Lybster) Ltd for the champion of the field: James Tait.
Prize for best-kept tractor (other than vintage): John Gunn.
Novelty prizes – Youngest ploughman: C Coghill. Oldest ploughman: G Macleod. Farthest travelled: G Hepburn, Elgin. Best-looking ploughman: W Mackay.