Michael takes ploughing honours at Watten Mains
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WEST Greenland ploughman Michael Mackay won the champion award at the North and West Caithness Ploughing Association's 30th annual ploughing match.
He took the honours in the vintage trailing class before going on to win the trophy donated by the representatives of the late William Farquhar. Folly for the champion on the field.
The event was held on November 17 at Watten Mains, having been postponed from November 2 due to bad weather.
This year the association welcomed two champion ploughers to Caithness to judge – Andrew Mitchell snr, current world conventional champion, and Dave Carnegie, Scottish reversible champion. Mr Mitchell, along with Ian Cruickshank, judged 12-inch vintage trailing and demonstrators, while Mr Carnegie and Dennis Hampton judged reversible two and three furrow, multi-furrow reversible and vintage mounted.
The event was also sponsored by Pottinger UK with its local agents, Alexander and Robertson Ltd, Barrock, taking part and winning the demonstrators class.
Judging best-kept tractor was Raymond Grant, Dunbeath, with steward George Mackay, Bower, keeping an eye on proceedings.
Results – 12-inch and over: 1 Graeme Mackay, Buldoo; 2 Willie Mackay, Biggins; 3 Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl. Best start, finish and straightest: G Mackay.
The William Munro Memorial Trophy presented by T Munro and family and Alister Macleod Memorial Cup (Perpetual): G Mackay.
Reversible, two and three furrow: 1 Gavin Robertson, Barrock; 2 Alexander Campbell, Lybster. Best start, finish and straightest: G Robertson.
Reversible, multi-furrow: 1 Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss; 2 William Ronaldson, Gillock, Wick; 3 Scott Rosie, Hunster. Best start and finish: W Ronaldson; straightest: S Rosie.
MA Munro (Drainage Contractor) Halkirk Perpetual Cup and PW Mackay, Halkirk, Cup: G Robertson. W & A Oag, Brims Mains Perpetual Trophy, shield presented by R B Flett, Central Garage, Watten, and Perpetual Cup presented by Donald MacDonald, Laurel: C Gunn. Trophy presented by Gavin Robertson, Briary, Barrock: W Ronaldson.
Vintage mounted: 1 Michael Sutherland, Murkle; 2 Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 3 Iain Mackay, Mount Pleasant. Best start, finish and straightest: M Sutherland.
The late Pink Mackay Cup: M Sutherland.
Vintage trailing: 1 Michael Mackay, West Greenland; 2 John Matheson, North Kessock. Best start, finish and straightest: M Mackay.
Omand's Garage Cup: M Mackay.
Demonstrators: 1 Alexander and Robertson Ltd; 2 HRN, North Dunn.
Association Cup: Alexander and Robertson Ltd.
Juniors (under 18): 1 C Gunn; 2 S Rosie; 3 Calvin Forbes, Lybster. Best start: C. Gunn. Best finish and straightest: S Rosie.
The late Sandy Banks Shield, Billy Henderson Memorial Cup and Association Shield: C Gunn. Durran Shield presented by the Sinclair Family, Castletown and Nicolson Shield presented by Willie Nicolson: S. Rosie.
Young Farmers Club: 1 C Gunn; 2 W Ronaldson; 3 A Campbell.
Mey Perpetual Trophy presented by Sandy McCarthy: C Gunn.
Overall trophies – Achavarn Cup, Allan's of Gillock Tray, WS Gunn Shield, silver basket donated by the representatives of the late William and Chris Farquhar, Jim Henderson Memorial Bowl (confined to Caithness), William Farquhar Memorial Trophy (perpetual) and Association Tray: M Mackay.
Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Car Club Shield for best vintage tractor: James Davidson, Keiss. Second in vintage tractor: G Macleod. Best kept tractor (other than vintage): Donald Macdonald, Larel.
Clayquoys Cup presented by the late Mr D Miller, Upper Ackergill (perpetual) (confined) and Sandy Banks Memorial Trophy presented by Ella Banks and family (confined): C Gunn. Willie Mackay (AI Services) Shield: G Robertson.
Colin Sinclair Memorial Quaich, Bank of Scotland Cup, the late Charles Macivor Cup, the William Allan 1897 Cup and trophy donated by the representatives of the late William Farquhar, Folly: M Mackay. Daniel Cup presented by Ian Daniel, Strichen, and Grove Lounge Cup: G Mackay. Keith Murray Cup: G. Robertson.
Farthest travelled: J. Matheson. Oldest ploughman: R Farquhar, Kirk. Best-looking ploughman: G Macleod.
