The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Sniffing out the truth about festivities on farm
Ballindalloch for a great many years he very shortly began his famous herd improvements with the purchase of the four-yearold cow Erica which was probably bred from Beauty of Kaylor from Lord Southesk’s sale at Kinnaird in Angus.
Over the years many other notable family lines were added to the herd.
Sir George began his refining work when William McCombie of Tillyfour was still to the fore and bought beasts from him.
McCombie, who was regarded as the builder of the breed, in turn had bought beasts from the acknowledged founder Hugh Watson of Keillor so original bloodlines ran through the Ballindalloch beasts.
These three are regarded as the key men in the creation of firstly the Polled Cattle breed which later be- The sight and sounds of Christmas are obvious – glitter, sleigh bells, lights and carols. Touch is represented by sticky tape and prickly pine needles while taste buds are assaulted by turkey and all the trimmings.
Smell, however, is the one sense that possibly has less connections but came the Aberdeen-Angus breed.
Indeed, it was Macpherson-Grant who moved a motion to start the Society of Polled Cattle at a meeting in Perth in 1879.
Success in the show ring was common place including wins in Paris in 1878 when he and McCombie took the breed to new heights.
Away from cattle he was to stand as the MP for Moray mulled wine and log fires spring to mind.
However, for those involved in farming there are many more aromas associated with the festive season, although these tend to be of an outdoor nature.
For those involved with livestock, Christmas means only a slackening off of the pace in contrast to the arable sector which often closes down, for the and Nairn from 1879 to 1886 and helped steer the fortunes of the Highland Railway Co during a difficult period.
In 1904 fellow breeders presented him with an inscribed silver jardinière in recognition of his services to the breed.
In his acceptance speech he declared his work was nearly done but he wanted to stick at it a bit longer, so he could firmly fortnight. Incidentally many will remember that Christmas Day was once an ordinary working day for all in farming.
New Year has always been the big day. However, some may know that New Year’s Day was also a working day with Hansel Monday the first Monday of the new year being the holiday.
With all this work taking nail the black flag somewhere at Ballindalloch so that no power could pull it down.
Today there are still Macpherson-Grants at Ballindalloch and of course there are still AberdeenAngus cattle.
The herd still enjoys success on the show circuit in the north and north-east under the watchful eye of herd manager David Johnstone and his wife Susan. place there was plenty of opportunity to kick up a stink. Winter months saw dung being spread on frosty ground and the sharp smell fairly opened congested nostrils on a sub-zero morning as does silage. Before silage became widespread the smell of a newly filled turnip shed gladdened the senses.
Concentrate feeds in the feed house too had heady aromas such as beet pulp and locus beans, while a good summer left sweet smelling hay.
There is nothing worse on a frosty morning, especially Christmas or New Year’s Day, than the tractor on the feed wagon failing to start. The smell of the thick reek bellowing from a poor starting diesel engine on a chilly morning lingers as does the sweet smell of “easy start” used as a last resort. Even worse on the nose, the morale and purse was the smell of rotten tatties starting to off in the pit or store.
Yes, farming has its fair share of scents just like the deodorants and after shaves unwrapped on Christmas morning some good and some not so. Happy Christmas and a better 2018 to you all.