Third time lucky for Latheron Parish Ploughing Association's annual match
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Good conditions at the weekend meant that Latheron's 36th Annual Ploughing Match could go ahead after two previous failed attempts.
A total of 22 ploughs took part in the competition which was held on Sunday at Quoys of Reiss, by kind permission of Liam Gunn. The event was originally scheduled for October, and was then postponed until November when wet weather led to it being called off again until December.The overall champion of the day was Gavin Robertson, of Barrock, winner of the two and three furrow reversible plough class, who went home with a large haul of silverware. Mr Robertson received the prize for the best start on the field of the day as well as awards for the overall finish, straightest furrow and neatest ends.
William Ronaldson, of Lower Gillock, winner of the multi-furrow reversible class, was the reserve overall champion on the field.
The match received welcome sponsorship from Andrew Polson and Caithness Machinery Ring.
Ploughing judges for the day were Jim Walker, Inverurie, Gordon Beattie, Insh, Don Budge, Brae-edge, and Willie Mackay, Skitten. Judging the tractors was Ian Dunnett, Reiss.
Claiming the title of best looking ploughman, one of the novelty classes, was James Gunn, of Whitefield.
Results
12" and over: 1 Stevie Blackwood,Thurso; 2 Donald MacDonald, Larel; 3 William Campbell, Gersa. Best start and finish: Robbie Flett, Watten.
Straightest, and winner of the Alister Macleod Memorial Cup for best in the 12” class: S Blackwood.
Classic: 1 Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl; 2 Iain Sinclair, Thurso. Best start and winner of the Inverarnie Cup (won outright by John Polson and re-presented in 2022) for best in the Classic Class: A Sinclair. Finish and straightest: I Sinclair.
Two and three furrow reversible: 1 Gavin Robertson, Barrock; 2 James Gunn, Whitefield. Best start, finish and straightest, and winner of James Tait Cup for best in two and three furrow reversible: G Robertson.
Reversibles – multi-furrow: 1 William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock; 2 Scott Rosie, Hunster; 3 Campbell Morrison, West Greenland. Best start, finish and straightest, and winner of the Latheron Parish Association Shield: W Ronaldson.
Overall reversible: G Hepburn Shield for best start overall in reversible, and David Gunn Memorial Trophy presented by his family for overall reversible champion (perpetual): G Robertson. Robertson Inkstack Cup presented by Gavin Robertson for the reserve best in reversible classes: W Ronaldson.
Vintage mounted: 1 Michael Sutherland, Thurso; 2 Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 3 Don Macleod, Lyth. Best start and straightest: D Macleod.
Best finish and winner of Baikie Butcher, Lybster Perpetual Cup for best in vintage mounted: M Sutherland.
Vintage trailing: 1 Michael Mackay, West Greenland; 2 John Matheson, North Kessock; 3 George Williamson, Dixonfield. Best start, finish and straightest, and winner of Mackay Cup presented by Michael Mackay for best in vintage trailing: M Mackay.
Juniors: 1 S Rosie; 2 Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss. Best finish and straightest, winner of Latheron Parish Association Shield for Junior 21 and under, J Tait Shield for best finish in juniors, 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.
Best start, winner of Andrew Polson Shield for runner up in juniors, G Robertson Shield for best start in the juniors and Portland Arms Shield for winner of Juniors 18 and under: C Gunn.
Novice: B Polson, Gersa, winner of V A Streight Memorial Shield for best novice.
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: G Williamson.
Strath Cup for best ploughed lot in vintage (confined to county) and Tait and Robertson Cup presented by James Tait and Gavin Robertson for third overall: M Mackay.
Prize for best kept tractor (other than vintage); the William Murray Memorial Trophy for the best start on the field; St Clair Hotel Cup for the overall finish on the field; John Polson Memorial Trophy presented by his family for best start and finish combined on the field (perpetual); the John Polson Cup for the overall straightest furrow on the field; Latheron Ploughing Association Quaich for the neatest ends on the field; Perpetual Cup presented by Gunns (Lybster) Ltd for the Champion of the Field: G Robertson.
John R Gunn, Gersa, Cup for the reserve overall on the field: W Ronaldson.
Clachan Cup for the Parish Champion: A Sinclair.
Novelty prizes – Youngest ploughman: C Gunn. Oldest ploughman: G Macleod. Best looking ploughman: James Gunn. Furthest travelled: J Matheson.
