Ploughing matches coming up at Reiss Lodge and West Greenland

Caithness will play host to ploughing matches on two successive weekends next month.

Latheron Parish Ploughing Association's annual match takes place on Saturday, October 7, at Reiss Lodge, near Wick, by permission of Alex Gunn.

There will be a 9am start, finishing at 2pm. Entries close this weekend and can be obtained from Liz Hewitson (07789 710920 or liz.hewitson1@gmail.com).

The event will feature the usual vintage, conventional and reversible ploughing classes.

The presentation of prizes will take place at the steading at Reiss Lodge around 4.30pm.

Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club's annual ploughing match is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, at West Greenland Farm, Castletown, by permission of the Mackay family.

The draw for lots takes place on the field at 10.30am and ploughing begins at 11am, with a finishing time of 3pm. Entries close on October 5 and are available from George Williamson on 07774 125421.

A new trophy, the Bennachie Cup, will be awarded to the winner of the drag class. It has been re-presented to Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club by Jane Fraser of Wick, granddaughter of James Dunnett, Woodside, Calder, who last won the cup in 1933.

George hopes to have his threshing mill there, depending on the weather. The presentation of prizes will take place at the steading.

An auction raising money for a kidney charity will be held after the ploughing, starting at around 4.30pm. The auctioneer is Ian Macleay.

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