The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Flashy’ heifer calf reigns at Aberfeldy
All sorts of records were broken at the Aberfeldy Show and Highland Games when the event welcomed record crowds and record temperatures to Wade’s Park on Saturday.
This was the first year the show has been held since the land was bought by the Society back in 2020 and the organisers were delighted with the turnout of stock and members of the public, with the entry of 18 Clydesdales and 34 Highland ponies surpassing many other shows in 2022.
Show secretary Morag Kennedy said she was blown away by the attendance on the gate.
“We’re very grateful to all our patrons, sponsors, advertisers and trade stands holders for their continued support and hope they enjoyed the show as much as we did,” she added.
Taking the champion of champions title, as awarded on a points basis by all the judges, was an April-born heifer calf which had stood calf champion at Perth Show the previous week for the Robertson family at Newton of Logierait.
“She’s a great wee heifer with lovely lines, a great top, a good set of plates and is good on her legs – she’s a right flashy heifer,” said commercial cattle judge James Nisbet.
Reserve to her was the Blackie champion from Thomas Muirhead, Orchilmore, which was a gimmer by a £6,000 Auldhouseburn.
It was not just the strong cattle, sheep and heavy horse sections that pulled in the crowds as the Highland games, officially opened when the Kintore Pipe Band marched from Aberfeldy Square to Wade’s Park followed by members of the Clan Menzies, provided a great spectacle from all angles of the main ring for the thousands of visitors.
A particular attraction was the carrying of the Menzies Stone, a smooth round stone weighing 115kg that is a test of manhood and only those who could lift and carry the stone were entitled to become one of the chief ’s bodyguards.
Carrying the stone the furthest at 164ft 1in this year was Czech heavyweight athlete Vlad Tulacek, with local lad Alexander Marshall in second.
Another highlight was the charity auction of goods from the horticulture tent which was conducted by David Brown from United Auctions.
William Jackson, of Derculich Estate, paid £110 to claim back his own prize-winning pair of cauliflowers.