Perthshire shepherd wins final

Perthshire shepherd Ian Brownlie of Ashmore Estate, Bridge of Cally, won the Scottish inter-district nursery final sheepdog trial with his dog, Tib, at Budgate, Cawdor.

On a cold day of incessant rain, 45 working sheepdogs, up to three years of age, and their handlers competed on the field.

The dogs were selected to represent their respective areas on the merit of their performance in trials, held in nine local leagues, throughout the winter.

Judge Michael Shearer, of Westfield, Thurso, said: “Tib had a good, controlled run and didn’t disturb the sheep.”

The nursery final marks the end of winter trialling and the last outing before lambing duties bind shepherds and farmers close to home territory.

Tib ran out 300 yards over a flat field and lifted four mule hoggs, fetched them to Ian on a good line and through two gates, set mid way down the course.

The tricoloured Border collie turned the sheep round her master and drove them away, up the course, on a diagonal route and through another set of gates. She turned them from there, drove them across the course and through the final set of gates before heading for the pen. Tib walked the sheep into the pen and completed the winning run by shedding two sheep from the four and showing control over them.

Success for Mr Brownlie spearheaded a victory for the Central area team which is open to handlers from Tayside and Fife to Stirlingshire.

Ian Brownlie returned to the prize list with Lia in fourth place with the last run of the day, while team mate Mosse Magnusson took sixth place with Murphy.