Island anniversary

AN ANNIVERSARY is celebrated at a magical island off the Knapdale coast.

CONDITIONS might not have been ideal for exhibiting livestock at Mid Argyll Show, but exhibitors turned out in good numbers to put on an excellent display of animals.

Among the highlights, the confined sheep champion was a powerful Texel ewe brought out by David and Douglas Anderson, Barnakill, Lochgilphead.

Last year’s open sheep winner prevailed yet again as Prosecco, a blackface ewe from J&J MacPherson, Balliemeanoch, Loch Awe, off a £6,000 Connachan sire out of a Lurg-bred ewe, was once again crowned champion sheep.

Prosecco went on last year to win the over- all show championship, only just pipping David and Calum MacPhail’s Clydesdale mare Garcalfra Sweet Chloe to the title. This time around, it was Chloe who deservedly won the title for her Campbeltown owners.

Judging the overall show championship was Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, who said of the champion: ‘I chose the Clydesdale simply because she has so much style, and she moves so well. All in all, a very good animal.’

Reserve overall open champion was the Highland cattle winner, yearling heifer Neoneoin Ruadh 2 of Achnacroish, shown by Stuart McKay for RD Schuster, Glenstrae, Dalmally. Just on her second outing of the season, the tidy heifer was also a win- ner at Bute Show earlier in the year.

08_a34mas15 08_a34mas55 Stuart McKay receives the Highland Cattle trophy from judge Andy Smith of Invergarry. David MacPhail with Chloe and the Mid Argyll Show open championship trophy.

08_a34mas52 Galcalfra Sweet Chloe is led by David MacPhail as judge Archie MacGregor assesses her movement.

08_a34mas18 Highland champion Neoneoin Ruadh 2 of Achnacroish, led by Stuart McKay.

08_a34mas47 David and Douglas Anderson’s confined champion Texel ewe.

08_a34mas59 Angus MacKay did a sterling job as announcer and commentator at the show.