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PICTURES: Ploughmen in a field of their own at Easter Ross contest; Easter Ross Ploughing Association event attracts 54 entrants


By Hector MacKenzie

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Malcolm Talbot,Fearn, Massey Ferguson=, Vintage Trailed Class, best local in Class. Picture: Ron Bews
Malcolm Talbot,Fearn, Massey Ferguson=, Vintage Trailed Class, best local in Class. Picture: Ron Bews

A KEENLY contested ploughing competition threw a spotlight on the vital farming art at a showcase event which has become an eagerly anticipated part of Ross-shire’s agricultural calendar.

There was little chance of the contestants from across the Highlands getting stuck in a rut as they rose to the challenge across a wide variety of classes.

Despite the revolutionary advances that improvements in machinery and equipment have made to farming in recent years, Easter Ross Ploughing Association’s annual ploughing match on Saturday also threw a spotlight on the intuitive skills which mark out the best in their field.

Alan Mackay, Alness. Valtra Tractor, Reversible 3/4/5/6 furrow Winner of his Class
Alan Mackay, Alness. Valtra Tractor, Reversible 3/4/5/6 furrow Winner of his Class

It was hosted for the first time in a number of years at Easter Rarichie Farm at Fearn in Easter Ross by kind permission of the Budge family.

Organisers voiced delight at the return “to such a beautiful location”.

The committee paid warm tribute to judges, stewards, competitors and the host farmer for supporting the match and making it such a successful day.

The morning began frosty and cold but later the sun came out for the duration of the event, offering a stunning backdrop for those who had gone along to watch and pleasant conditions for the ploughmen. The fields were on gentle slopes, affording beautiful views towards Fearn.

Conditions for both competitors and spectators were, said judges, “fantastic”.

An impressive total of 54 entries from the Black isle, Easter Ross, Caithness, Sutherland and nverness-shire delighted organisers of the event.

Local winners included Alan Mackay of Alness, Andrew Gammie of Tore and John Mackenzie of Invergordon.

Eric Nimmons of Fearn picked up the best novice award while Donald Mackay of Rosskeen was over local champion.

Will Duff, Invergordon, McCormick tractor and Stuart Wilson, Fearn, John Deere. Classic Conventional Class. Will Duff Won the Class. Picture: Ron Bews
Will Duff, Invergordon, McCormick tractor and Stuart Wilson, Fearn, John Deere. Classic Conventional Class. Will Duff Won the Class. Picture: Ron Bews

RESULTS

Class 1 Reversible 2 furrow – 1 James Tait, Castletown; 2 Donald Mackay, Rosskeen; 3 John Fraser, Ardross.

Class 2 Reversible 3, 4 and 5 furrow –1 Alan Mackay, Alness; 2, Ali Fraser, North Kessock; 3 John G Fraser, Evanton.

Class 3 Conventional – 1 Graeme Mackay, Thurso; 2 Alex Campbell, Nigg; 3 Michael Gunn, Thurso.

Class 4A Classic Conventional – 1 Andrew Gammie, Tore; 2 William Mackay, Wick; 3 Hugh Fraser, Fearn.

Class 4A Classic Reversible –1 Will Duff, Invergordon; 2 Stuart Wilson, Fearn.

Class 5A Vintage Mounted – 1 Michael Sutherland, Thurso; 2 Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 3 Robbie Clark, Strathpeffer.

Class 5B Vintage Trailed – 1 Michael Mackay, Thurso; 2 John Matheson, North Kessock; 3 Richard MacWilliam, Muir of Ord.

Class 6 Juniors (under 21) –1 William Ronaldson, Wick; 2 Alexander Campbell, Wick 3 Fraser Ross, Fearn.

Class 8 Demonstrators 1 st Alistair Young Engineering

Overall Champion – Michael Mackay, Castletown; Reserve Overall Champion – James Tait, Castletown; Conventional Champion – Graeme Mackay, Thurso; Reserve Conventional Champion, – _ Alex Campbell, Nigg Reversible Champion, James Tait, Castletown; Reserve Reversible Champion –Donald Mackay, Rosskeen; Overall Vintage Champion – Michael Mackay, Castletown; Best Local Vintage – John Mackenzie, Invergordon; Best Novice – Eric Nimmons, Fearn; Overall Local Champion – Donald Mackay, Rosskeen.

More pictures nside this week's edition.


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