Third overall win for Gavin Robertson in delayed Latheron parish ploughing match
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
It was third time lucky for Latheron Parish Ploughing Association's 35th annual ploughing match at the weekend – and also a third overall win for Gavin Robertson.
The event went ahead at Cogle Farm, Watten, by kind permission of James Polson, after two failed attempts last autumn.
Ground conditions on Saturday were good, and after early-morning snow showers had cleared it was a glorious day with the sun coming through in the afternoon.
Ploughing judges were Raymond Middleton, Graham Mutch, Cameron Maciver and Willie MacDonald. Tractors were judged by Graeme Lord.
Results: Class 1 – 12" and over: 1 (winner of Alister Macleod Memorial Cup) Graeme Mackay, Buldoo; 2 Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl; 3 Stevie Blackwood, Thurso.
Best start, finish, straightest: G Mackay
Class 2 – 2 and 3 furrow reversible: 1 (winner of James Tait Cup) Gavin Robertson, Barrock; 2 James Tait, Mey.
Best start, finish: J Tait. Straightest: G Robertson
Class 3 – Reversibles, multi-furrow: 1 (winner of Latheron Parish Association Shield) William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock; 2 Donald Campbell, Castletown; 3 Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss.
Best start, finish, straightest: W Ronaldson.
Overall reversibles – Robertson Inkstack Cup presented by Gavin Robertson for the reserve best in reversibles and G Hepburn Shield for best start overall in reversibles: J Tait.
David Gunn Memorial Trophy presented by his family for overall reversible champion (perpetual): G Robertson.
Class 4 – Vintage mounted: 1 (winner of Baikie Butcher, Lybster Perpetual Cup) Michael Sutherland, Thurso; 2 Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 3 Don Macleod, Lyth.
Best start: M Sutherland. Best finish: G Macleod. Straightest: D Macleod,
Class 5 – Vintage trailing: 1 (winner of Mackay Cup presented by Michael Mackay) Michael Mackay, West Greenland; 2 John Matheson, North Kessock; 3 George Williamson, Dixonfield.
Best start, finish, straightest: M Mackay.
Class 6 – Juniors: 1 (winner of Latheron Parish Association Shield for junior 21 and under): C Gunn, Quoys of Reiss; 2 (winner of Andrew Polson Shield for runner-up in juniors) S Rosie, Hunster.
Best start, finish: C Gunn. Straightest: S Rosie.
G Robertson Shield for best start in juniors, J Tait Shield for best finish in juniors, Portland Arms Shield for winner of juniors 18 and under: C Gunn.
Cup presented by Andrew Polson, Smerlie, for straightest furrow in juniors (to be won three times) and Ballykelly Shield presented by S Bain and V Swanson for straightest furrow in juniors: S Rosie.
Class 7 – Demonstrators: 1 (winner of Gladys Gunn Perpetual Shield) HRN Tractors (Lewis Henderson), Dunn; 2 Robertsons Orkney (Graeme Lord).
Class 8 – Novice: 1 (winner of V A Streight Memorial Shield) D Campbell, Castletown; 2 B Polson, Gersa.
Overall trophies – J K Manson Shield for best work done with Massey Ferguson tractor: M Sutherland.
Upper Northfield Cup for best vintage tractor and plough, Strath Cup for best ploughed lot in vintage (confined to county), William Murray Memorial Trophy for best start on the field, John Polson Memorial Trophy presented by his family for best start and finish combined on the field (perpetual), John Polson Cup for the overall straightest furrow on the field, John R Gunn, Gersa Cup for the reserve overall on the field: M Mackay
St Clair Hotel Cup for overall finish on the field: J Tait.
Latheron Ploughing Association Quaich for the neatest ends on the field, Tait and Robertson Cup presented by James Tait and Gavin Robertson for third overall: G Mackay.
Clachan Cup for parish champion: A Sinclair.
Perpetual Cup presented by Gunns (Lybster) Ltd for champion of the field: G Robertson.
Novelty prizes – Youngest ploughman: C Gunn. Oldest ploughman: G Macleod. Best-looking ploughman: R Flett. Farthest travelled: J Matheson.
Originally the event was due to take place on October 30, and it was then rescheduled for November 20, but both dates were postponed because of rain.
