Emotive power

Working horses pulled ploughs across a Kintyre hillside.

DESPITE the occasional shower, ploughmen from across Scotland got stuck in to the annual Largieside ploughing match.

Held at South Muasdale farm, by kind permission of Stephen Jones, 16 top furrowers took to the lea field across three sections: 12 inch and under, reversible and horses.

The ploughing was judged by Malcolm Ronald, while the horses were judged by Archie Reid. Jamie Reid proved to have ploughing perfection, com- ing first in the 12 inch and under section and scooping the Mr and Mrs Holder Shield for Best Overall, and the Glenside Trophy for best work by a Kaevernland plough.

Geordie Robertson who travelled from Kilwinning for the event, won an astounding eight of the 10 special prizes in the horses section.

Drew McKendrick came out on top in the reversible class, and was judged to have the best last six furrows and best outs and ins.

Several spectators turned out in their waterproofs to watch the proficient ploughing including the Haydon family, from Aberdeenshire, on a camping holiday in Kintyre.

Mum Mary and dad Iain brought their children Katherine, 10, Rebecca, seven, and Alex, three, along. When asked whether he preferred the tractors or the horses, Alex responded: ‘The tractors!’

For more agricultural action, don’t miss this year’s Kintyre Agricultural Show at Anderston Park, Campbeltown, today (Friday). Gates open at 8am. Full ploughing results: 12 inch and under: 1 Jamie Reid, 2 Jock Sivewright, 3 James P McIndoe, 4 Iain Livingstone, 5 Paul Newall, 6 Jim Hamilton, 7 Iain McKendrick, 8 Neil Littleson, 9 James McIndoe, 10 Gavin Reid.

12 inch and under special prizes: Best break and best 1st six furrows: James P McIndoe. Best last six furrows: Jamie Reid. Best outs and ins, straightest and best finish: Jock Sivewright.

Reversible: 1 Drew McKendrick, 2 Fraser MacPhail, 3 James Young. Reversible special prizes: Best break, best 1st six furrows and best finish: Fraser MacPhail. Best last six furrows and best outs and ins: Drew McKendrick. Straightest: James Young.

Horses: 1 Geordie Robertson, 2 Neil MacPhail. 3 Stephen Jones.

Horses special prizes: Best break, best 1st six furrows, best last six furrows, best outs and ins, straightest, best finish, tidiest turnout and best mare: Geordie Robertson. Best working pair: Stephen Jones. Best gelding: Neil MacPhail.

General prizes: Worst lot, youngest ploughman and newest tractor: Neil Littleson. Least assistance, best maintained outfit and oldest ploughman: James P McIndoe. Best working plough: Jamie Reid. Hardest luck and first on field: Gavin Reid. Furthest travelled: Jock Sivewright. First finished and best looking ploughman: Fraser MacPhail. Oldest tractor: Iain Livingston.

Trophies: Mr and Mrs Holder Shield for Best Overall: Jamie Reid. Largieside Challenge Cup (restricted to Largieside): Neil MacPhail. Tayinloan Cup (restricted): Neil Littleson. Glenside Trophy for best work by a Kaevernland Plough: Jamie Reid. Glenside Tractors Cup for 1st in reversible class: Drew McKendrick. Geordie McFarlane Trophy for 1st in horse ploughing: Geordie Robertson. Cup for Best Working Pair in horse ploughing: Stephen Jones.

50_c31ploughing05 Geordie Robertson, who won the Geordie McFarlane Trophy for first in horse ploughing, won eight of the 10 special prizes in the horses section.

50_c31ploughing08 Some of the ploughmen had steep hills to navigate.

50_c31ploughing13 Drew McKendrick, who won the Glenside Tractors Cup for first in reversible class, was awarded the best last six furrows and the best outs and ins.

50_c31ploughing03 Neil MacPhail, came 2nd in the horses section, and was awarded best gelding and the Largieside Challenge Cup.

Jamie Reid, who came first in the 12-inch and under category and won best last six furrows and best working plough, was awarded the Mr and Mrs Holder Shield for Best Overall, and the Glenside Trophy for best work by a Kaevernland plough.

50_c31ploughing06 The Haydon family, from left, mum Mary and dad Ian, with children Katherine, 10, Rebecca, seven, and Alex, three.

Neil MacPhail’s horses and brasses.

50_c31ploughing07 Linda Crosthwaite and Lorraine MacPhail turned a stock box into a catering truck for the day.

Horses ploughing.

50_c31ploughing11 Judge Malcolm Ronald keeps an eye on the field as he takes notes.