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Latheron Show hit by thunderstorms





Six-year-old Kirsty Grant, Braehillor, Dunbeath, won the special prize for a minature garden. Photo: Robert MacDonald.
Six-year-old Kirsty Grant, Braehillor, Dunbeath, won the special prize for a minature garden. Photo: Robert MacDonald.

THUNDERSTORMS forced the early departure of many who had turned out for the 88th Latheron Show on Saturday.

It was a tale of two halves as the morning’s fine weather gave way to heavy rain. However, Latheron Agricultural Society president James MacGregor, who was in charge for the second year, said despite the change in weather there were a lot of positives to take from the popular event.

“The show started off really well, but the rain did put a dampener on the day,” he told the Caithness Courier.

“We had an excellent entry of sheep, goats and horses this year but the turnout for cattle was down which was disappointing – despite the standard being high. Overall, we felt that we had a very good attendance in the morning but the awful weather did force a lot of people to go home early.

“One particularly pleasing aspect was the high amount of interest in the flower and handicraft sections where we saw an increased number of entries.”

On the show field a nine-month-old Limousin cross bullock proved he was more than good enough to take the top title – despite his unflattering name.

Debby Munro with the supreme cattle champion from J. Munro & Son, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay. The champion was Not Quite Good Enough, a nine-month-old Limousin cross bullock. Photo: Robert MacDonald.
Debby Munro with the supreme cattle champion from J. Munro & Son, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay. The champion was Not Quite Good Enough, a nine-month-old Limousin cross bullock. Photo: Robert MacDonald.

Not Quite Good Enough, from J. Munro & Son, of Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, was crowned champion of champions after taking both the commercial and supreme titles. The honour was awarded by judges David and Flora Gunn, of Rutherlands, Watten.

The reserve supreme cattle title was awarded to W. & A. Oag, Brims Mains, Forss, with the 15-month-old Charolais heifer Innes Foxylady.

The continental champion was from Balmyle Broadside and out of Maerdy Urban.

Caithness farmers also celebrated success when Messrs Sutherland, of Stainland and Sibmister Farms, Thurso, took the overall champion sheep title with a crop halfbred ewe, which took the commercial title, and her twin Texel cross lambs.

The ewe, out of a Lower Westerdale ewe by a Bardnaclavan sire, is no stranger to success.

As well as taking the champion halfbred title at Ingliston and champion cross-sheep honours at the Black Isle Show, she also gave birth to last year’s supreme sheep champion.

The reserve champion title went to James Falconer, of Scouthal, Halkirk, with a Cheviot gimmer which won its section.

In the horse category, supreme champion went to Stemster Millennium Bug owned by L. & C. Coghill, Stemster, Halkirk.

The 12-year-old, which was crowned supreme champion at last year’s Black Isle Show, was sired by Germont and is out of Hammonds Fleur de Lys.

The reserve title went to Sarah Campbell, of Midcalder, Thurso, with her three-year-old Shetland pony, Rashiburn Royal Oak.

In the goat section, supreme champion went to D. & S. Meikle, of Windy Ha, East Mey, with their seven-year-old British Toggenburg, Guilden Bonbon.

Three-year-old Anglo Nubian goat Balblair Gardenia won the reserve title for E. Fraser, of Beauly.

Among the many highlights of the day was a display from stunt cycling team The Clan which wowed the audience with rider Duncan Shaw performing extreme acrobatic demonstrations.

Visitors also had the chance to enjoy attractions such as archery, a bucking bronco and fairground amusements.


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