Gimmer crowned queen of Killin

Blackface section yields champion of champions

With the mist rising and falling around the peaks of the Tarmachan Ridge, Killin Show undoubtedly has one of the most picturesque settings in Scotland and certainly sets the scene for the many visitors to the show.

In an echo of last year, a decision was made earlier in the week to hold off the cattle section in order to save the state of Breadalbane Park but that did not stop an impressive entry of sheep from being put through their paces in front of the judges.

And with class entries in the Blackface section regularly hitting the high teens, it was from this section that the three sheep judges eventually chose their champion of champions.

That was a home-bred gimmer from Messrs McLarty’s Glen Tarken flock near St Fillans, that first caught the eye of Blackie judge, Douglas Willison, from Craigend, Fintry.

Sired by a home-bred son of a £4,000 Midlock and third in her class as a ewe lamb here last year, she produced a welcome return to the top of the Blackie lines for the McLartys.

Also forward for the supreme was the cross sheep winner, an impressive home-bred gimmer from Peter McDiarmid and family from Shenlarich, Lawers, that was the pick of John McDougal, Sheilds Farm, Milton of Campsie, as well as the leader of the newly introduced Swaledale section, a six-shear tup from Finlay MacAskill, Tullich, Glen Lochay.

The show of Swaledales marked the first Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association-sponsored show of Swaledales in Scotland bar the Royal Highland, and so it was rather fitting that the very first Swale judge at the Highland, John Burton, Connonish, was asked to place the entry that was supported by four different exhibitors.

With the majority of judging completed in the morning, the afternoon event saw the Comrie Pipe Band lead a parade from the Dochart Bridge and Falls of Dochart through the town and into the park, with the parade including fancy dress entries from local schools and nurseries.

From top to bottom: Best of the newly-introduced Swaledale classes was this six-shear tup from Tulloch, success for Campbell sisters Grace and Isobel of Cnoc, Ardeonaig, and serious business as a young handler gives his lamb the finishing touches.