The annual Caithness Christmas show, and sale took place on Monday 5^th December and Tuesday 6^th December with exhibitors and buyers from North of Scotland traveling to Quoybrae.

The event saw auctioneer Ian Macleay receive a presentation marking his retirement after 30 years’ service with ANM Group. Ian has always provided exceptional service to members and customers being a key link between Caithness Livestock Centre and Thainstone Centre. The whole team wishes Ian the happiest retirement.

With 103 cattle and 4,601 sheep selling it was a successful event for the team.

Top results include:

A 635kg Limousin cross bullock forward from G W Begg, Vauldale, Nybster won Champion position in the open prime cattle section which was sponsored by NFU Mutal and judged by Gary Raeburn of Forbes Raeburn & Son Butchers, Huntly. The Champion Limousin Cross Bullock sold to Mackays Hotel, Wick for the 23^rd year in a row for £3,000 (310.7p). Reserve Champion was awarded to a 515kg Limousin cross heifer from Mesr Swanson, Quarryside, Castletown and sold for £1,600 (310.8p) to J M Munro Ltd, Dingwall.

Young Farmers Champion was a 665kg Limousin cross bullock from Neil Campbell, Thirdpart, Watten which and sold for £2,000 (300.8p) to John M Munro Ltd. With Reserve Champion going to a 673kg Limousin cross heifer from Will Oag, Achiebeg, Shebster which sold for £1,700 (252.p).

Judging the open section of prime lambs was Graeme Smith, Towiemore, Keith with the Champion pen of prime lambs being awarded to two 45kg Beltex’s from Messrs Sutherland, Stainland and Sibmister Farm which sold for £580 a head to Mackays Hotel, Wick. With Reserve Champion being awarded to two 48kg Beltex’s from D M MacDonald, Taledale, Forss which sold to Puldagon Farm Shop & Restaurant for £460 a head.

Young Farmers Champion pen of prime lambs sponsored by Duncan & Todd were two 61kg Texels from Sophie Gunn, The Shein, Hill of Forss and sold for £540 a head to Puldagon Farm Shop & Restaurant. Reserve Champions were two 44kg Continentals from Bethany Swanson, Framside and sold for £200 a head to I G Thomson, Keith. 

Champion pen of ten untrimmed prime lambs sponsored by Willie Gulloch, Hempriggs Mains, Wick and judged by Tony Kiernan, Vale Farm, Preston were 51kg Texels from R Campbell, Thirdpart, Watten and sold for £122 a head.  Reserve champions were 41kg Cheviots also from Mesr T Sinclair, Reaster, Lyth and sold for £118 a head to E M Smith & Son, Towiemore, Keith. 

A full sale report can be downloaded here.