The ploughing match winners, from left, Gerald Macleod, Alan Campbell, Michael Mackay (overall winner), John Matheson and Stevie Blackwood. Picture: DGS
The conveners of a vintage tractor ploughing match at Stirkoke Mains farm were delighted with the conditions for the event on Saturday (October 8).
Andrew Mackay from West Greenland Farm is the new chairman of the Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club which held the popular event throughout the sunny conditions prevailing on the day.
Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club's chairman Andrew Mackay, left, and Sandy Mackay, ploughing match convener. Picture: DGSClub chairman Andrew Mackay explained what makes a perfect furrow. Picture: DGSJudges at the event were, from left, Andrew Gammie, Iain Macrae and Robert Sutherland. Robert hosted the event at his farm at Achunabust last year. Picture: DGS
"I'm better known for driving new stuff but I've got a fair collection of vintage machinery myself," said Andrew as the tractors took to the field. "Conditions are pretty good and the ground's a lovely sight – it's sticking a wee bit on the boards with some of them but 90 per cent of it is very, very good."
The vintage club had an equally good show at Achunabust last year but ground conditions were then described as greasy on the surface with dry soil underneath – not ideal for the old machinery, said Sandy Mackay at that time. Sandy, who is ploughing match convener, was much happier with the ground on Saturday despite all the torrential downpours of late. "The ground's stood up well. If it was drier it wouldn't be ploughing so good," he said. "We've had one or two pull out with Covid and we're back three entries from last year."
Conditions on the ground were ideal and the sun shone throughout the event. Picture: DGSGerald Macleod was the oldest competitor on the field at 80 and won several awards on the day. Picture: DGSGeorge Williamson from Dixonfield on a John Deere tractor with a John Deere plough. Picture: DGSDon Macleod from Lyth on his Massey Ferguson 135 with a Newlands plough. Picture: DGSStevie Blackwood from Thurso driving his Ford tractor with a Boning plough. Stevie won an award for straightest furrow on field. Picture: DGS
The event was held at Stirkoke Mains farm, just a few miles west of Wick, which is run by Andrew Mackay's brother-in-law Ronald Innes and his wife Barbara. Once again, Michael Mackay from West Greenland farm was voted overall winner on the day.
Michael was driving an International tractor pulling an International drag plough. "Michael's my brother and was driving the International 10-20 which was sold in 1929 by Thurso Engineering and Foundry. It was owned by the Hutchison's, my great-great-grandfather. He [Michael] ploughs all over Scotland with it and will be at Stanstill in two week's time."
Andrew was making reference to the Scottish National Ploughing Championships which will be held at Stanstill Farm this year over the weekend of October 22-23.
Sunny conditions prevailed throughout the day and many friends and family attended match. Picture: DGSWill Gunn, left, and James Sinclair were selling raffle tickets for charity. Picture: DGSCaithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club's annual ploughing match was held at Stirkoke Mains farm on Saturday. Picture: DGSModels from across the years were on the field at Stirkoke. Picture: DGSCaithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club's annual ploughing match was held at Stirkoke Mains farm on Saturday. Picture: DGSThe judges take careful note. Picture: DGSInternational tractor dating from 1929 with an International drag plough. It was operated by Michael Mackay from West Greenland who was once again overall champion at the event. . Picture: DGS
Competition results for the ploughing match are as follows:
Class 1 Drag: 1 Michel Mackay (West Greenland)
Class 2 Mounted: 1 Gerald Macleod (North Kessock)
Class 3 Classic: 1 Andrew Sinclair (Clachan)
Outwith county: 1 Gerald Macleod
Novice: Alan Campbell (Gersa)
Farthest travelled: Gerald Macleod
Best start on field: Michael Mackay
Straightest furrow on field: Stevie Blackwood
Best finish on field: Michael Mackay
Nearest ins and outs: Michael Mackay
Best work with a pre 1950 tractor: Michael Mackay
Best ploughed with a ford tractor: Gerald Macleod
Best start,finish and straightest furrow in drag: Michael Mackay
Confined to county champion: Michael Mackay
Overall champion: Michael Mackay
Donny MacDonald navigates the field on his Marshall tractor.The judges take to the field to assess how well each competitor was faring. Picture: DGSMichael Mackay's International tractor lets off some steam. Michael was voted overall winner on the day. Picture: DGSCaithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club's annual ploughing match was held at Stirkoke Mains farm on Saturday. Picture: DGSWill Gunn, left, and James Sinclair, drove around the field to sell charity raffle tickets on the day. Picture: DGSThe tractors retire from the field after a busy day ploughing. Picture: DGSYoung farmers play around bales of straw as the results are being tallied up. Picture: DGSThere were snacks and refreshments available and the winners were announced in a huge barn at Stirkoke Mains farm. Picture: DGSAwaiting the final results were friends and families of the competitors. Picture: DGSMichael Mackay was voted overall winner of the event and collects his award from Barbara Innes of Stirkoke Mains farm where the event was hosted. Second from left is Andrew Mackay who is the the new chairman of the Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club and the convener, Sandy Mackay, is on the right reading out the results. Picture: DGS
Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
