Mackay emerges as champion in North and West Caithness ploughing match
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Michael Mackay from West Greenland edged out Gavin Robertson of Barrock to become champion of the field in North and West Caithness Ploughing Association's 31st annual ploughing match.
The event went ahead at the second attempt at Wester Olrig, Castletown, by permission of A & A Gunn, having been abandoned in November when torrential rain made conditions impossible to plough.
The organisers welcomed back Dennis Hampton, Laurencekirk, who was joined by John Sim, Banff, in judging 12”, vintage trailing and demonstrator classes. Andy Cheetham, Fraserburgh, and Steven Fowler, Stonehaven, were tasked with judging the reversible 2 and 3 furrow, multifurrow reversibles and vintage mounted classes.
It was a close call for champion of the field between Robertson, winner of the reversible 2 and 3 furrow class, and Mackay, winner of vintage trailing class. In the end it was Michael who took the trophy donated by representatives of the late William Farquhar, Folly.
Judging the best-kept tractor category was Charles Angus, Oldfield, Thurso, with stewards John Mason, Inverness, and George Mackay, Bower, keeping an eye on proceedings.
The match was sponsored by Pottinger UK.
Results – 12” and over: 1 Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl; 2 Stevie Blackwood, Thurso; 3 Donald Macdonald, Laurel.
Best start and finish: Donald Macdonald. Straightest furrow: Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl.
William Munro Memorial Trophy presented by T Munro and family for the winner of the 12" and over class: Andrew Sinclair. Alister Macleod Memorial Cup (Perpetual) for the best start and finish combined in the 12" class: Donald Macdonald.
Reversible 2 and 3 furrow: 1 Gavin Robertson, Barrock; 2 James Tait, Mey; 3 James Gunn, Whitefield.
Best start, finish and straightest: Gavin Robertson.
Reversible – Multifurrow: 1 Scott Rosie, Hunster; 2 Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss; 3 Donald Campbell.
Best start: Scott Rosie. Straightest and best finish: Craig Gunn.
M A Munro (Drainage Contractor) Halkirk Perpetual Cup for the winner of the 2 and 3 furrow reversible class: Gavin Robertson.
W & A Oag, Brims Mains Perpetual Trophy for winner of the multifurrow class: Scott Rosie.
North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board Shield for the winner of multifurrow: Scott Rosie. P W Mackay, Halkirk Cup for overall winner of the reversible classes: Gavin Robertson.
Shield presented by R B Flett, Central Garage, Watten, for best ploughed lot in reversibles by a person 21 years and under and Perpetual Cup presented by Donald MacDonald, Laurel, for best ploughed lot in reversibles by a person 30 years old and under: Scott Rosie. Trophy presented by Gavin Robertson, Barrock, for best start and finish combined by a person 30 years old and under in reversible classes: Craig Gunn.
Vintage mounted: 1 Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 2 Campbell Morrison, The Hirsel; 3 Brian Polson, Gersa.
Best start. Campbell Morrison. Best finish: Don Macleod, Lyth. Straightest: Gerald Macleod.
The late Pink Mackay Cup for winner of vintage mounted class: Gerald Macleod.
Vintage trailing: 1 Michael Mackay, West Greenland; 2 John Matheson, North Kessock; 3 Graeme Mackay, Buldoo.
Best start, finish and straightest: Michael Mackay.
Omand's Garage Cup for the winner of vintage trailing class: Michael Mackay.
Demonstrators: 1 Robertsons, Orkney; 2 HRN, North Dunn.
Association Cup for winner of demonstrators: Robertsons, Orkney.
Association shield for youngest ploughman: Scott Rosie.
Young farmers: 1 Scott Rosie, Hunster; 2 Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss; 3 William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.
Mey Perpetual Trophy presented by Sandy McCarthy for best ploughed lot by a member of a Young Farmers club: Scott Rosie.
Novices: Donald Campbell, Castletown.
North Eastern Farmers Shield for winner of novices: Donald Campbell.
Overall trophies – Achavarn Cup for best overall start, Allan's of Gillock Tray for overall straightest furrow, W S Gunn Shield for best overall finish, silver basket donated by the representatives of the late William and Chris Farquhar for best start and finish combined in the vintage sections, Jim Henderson Memorial Bowl for best start, finish and straightest furrow combined in vintage mounted and trailing classes (confined to Caithness), William Farquhar Memorial Trophy (Perpetual) re-presented 2007 for best in vintage classes and Association Tray for best in vintage and horse sections: Michael Mackay, West Greenland.
Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Car Club Shield for best vintage tractor: George Williamson, Dixonfield.
Best-kept tractor (other than vintage): Donald Macdonald.
Clayquoys Cup presented by the late Mr D Miller, Upper Ackergill, for best ploughed lot by a competitor under 25 years old (perpetual, confined to county): Scott Rosie.
Willie Mackay (AI Services) Shield for the neatest ends on the field: James Tait, Mey
Sandy Banks Memorial Trophy presented by Ella Banks and family for the best junior 21 years and under (confined to Caithness): Scott Rosie.
Colin Sinclair Memorial Quaich presented in his memory by his family for best start and finish combined overall, Bank of Scotland Cup for best ploughed lot by a competitor in the North and West district, the late Charles Macivor Cup for county champion, William Allan 1897 Cup re-presented by his grandson, William Allan, Berkshire, in 1997 for the county champion and trophy donated by representatives of the late William Farquhar, Folly, for champion on the field: Michael Mackay, West Greenland.
Daniel Cup presented by Ian Daniel, Strichen, for best ploughed lot in the 12" and reversible sections and Grove Lounge Cup for reserve overall champion: Gavin Robertson, Barrock.
Keith Murray Cup for third overall on the field: John Matheson, North Kessock.
Farthest travelled: John Matheson, North Kessock. Oldest ploughman: Gerald Macleod, North Kessock. Best-looking ploughman: John Gunn, North Killimster.
