UPDATED: 98th Latheron Show hailed as biggest and best yet
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Latheron Agricultural Society's annual show is set to go "from strength to strength" in the build-up to a milestone anniversary in two years' time.
President Raymond Gunn says there is a new enthusiasm among the organisers and the wider community with the 100th show due to take place in 2025.
He was speaking on Saturday as the 98th Latheron Show attracted a huge turnout in glorious sunshine on his land at West Clyth Farm. Stalwarts of the event reckoned it was the biggest and best yet.
"There are bigger entries in cattle, sheep and horses and obviously great displays in the flower show, home industries and craft tents," Mr Gunn said during a break from his official duties on the showfield. "The amount of people here is terrific."
Last year's event was held over split locations, at Lybster and Bilbster. Mr Gunn said the return to the traditional format had been widely welcomed.
"It's great to be back on the field – everybody wanted to be back on the field," he said. "Last year it didn't really work – we knew it was too soon after Covid.
"The show is bigger, there's more to see. We've had a big improvement in vintage tractors.
"I think everybody is absolutely delighted that it's here and we're assuming that we're going to go from strength to strength now. It has kicked back in again and there seems to be a bit of enthusiasm."
Mr Gunn added: "We baled and cleared the bales off the showfield on Wednesday night and it was half-past one in the morning when we got the field cleared.
"But we have a great team here and they put everything together in three days. It is absolutely brilliant."
The champion of champions title went to the supreme cattle champion and commercial cattle champion from Mark Munro, J Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay – Classy Lassie, a 19-month-old Limousin cross Belgian Blue heifer after the Limousin bull Tonka.
Reserve champion of champions was the supreme sheep champion and North Country Cheviot champion from Michael Anderson, West Catchery, Watten. This gimmer after a tup from the flock of Jamie Henderson, Murrayfield, gave the farm its first-ever championship.
The supreme horse championship went to the Shetland pony champion, Breckan First Endeavour, known as Eddie, a nine-year-old gelding shown by Sarah Campbell, Framside, Calder.
The county's Norse heritage was celebrated by a 25-strong group from the Glasgow Vikings, who put on a living history encampment demonstrating a range of skills as well as staging battle re-enactments.
Their appearance was supported by the Lybster and Tannach Fund.
Thorgunna, one of the visiting Vikings, explained that their activities are designed to be both educational and entertaining.
She said: "We do very small shows and very large shows, and when they're small we like to pull in a wee bit of local history.
"But what we also want to do is to entertain everyone. You want to have a bit of both.
"Sometimes we do something like the Battle of Hastings and it has to be 100 per cent accurate to the actual battle, but I think it's always a bit of fun to bring in some local history as we're doing today."
Other attractions included floral and home industries competitions, trade stands, craft and food stalls, dog show, baby show, children's races, horse sports, a baling demonstration and a display by Lybster fire brigade.
Show secretary Joanne Smith said: "The committee and volunteers worked above and beyond to get our show back to its home at West Clyth and it was worth all the time and effort seeing the incredible number of visitors on the day.
"The showfield was a hive of activity, with things to see and do for all ages. The Viking battle re-enactment drew a big crowd as did their Viking village.
"Mr and Mrs Bubbles kept the wee ones entertained just as the baling and fire brigade demonstrations did for the adults. There was a wonderful atmosphere across the whole show, plenty of smiles throughout the livestock judging pens, and it was great seeing large crowds watching the horse competitions.
"Beautiful displays of flowers and handicrafts kept their tents busy all day and craft stalls across the showfield reported record sales.
"Show-goers were kept fed by locally grown food from Puldagon Farm and Restaurant and our usual dog and baby shows were very well supported.
"With record numbers of entries across the board, a big increase in footfall and a lot happening throughout the day, it is a credit to everyone who took time out to help. We have had terrific feedback from exhibitors, traders, competitors and visitors.
"On behalf of the show committee I would like to thank everyone who helped, volunteered, sponsored, donated, competed and came from far and wide to enjoy the show. As we head to our 99th show next year, we are looking forward to making it even bigger and better."
RESULTS
Cattle
Supreme cattle champion: Mark Munro, Invercharron, Ardgay – Classy Lassie. Reserve supreme cattle champion: Jonathan Gunn, Mavsey Moonshine.
Overall native champion: Jonathan Gunn, Aberdeen Angus, Tonley Ester.
Overall continental champion: Jonathan Gunn, Mavsey Moonshine.
Overall commercial champion: Mark Munro, Invercharron, Classy Lassie.
Young Farmers' champion: Tilly Munro, Belle of the Ball.
Aberdeen Angus: J Gunn.
Continental male born before October 1, 2022: 1 R Jenkins; 2 G Oag; 3 P Stewart.
Continental female born before October 1, 2022 (section 58a): 1, 3 J Gunn; 2 K Sinclair.
Continental female born before October 1, 2022 (section 58b): 1, 2 J Gunn; 3 G Oag.
Continental calf born after October 1, 2022: 1 R Jenkins; 2 J Gunn.
Cross heifer with calf at foot: K Sutherland.
Cross steer born before June 1, 2022: 1, 2, M Tucker.
Cross heifer (coloured) born before June 1, 2022: 1 M Munro; 2 P Stewart.
Pair of butchers' cattle: M Tucker.
Cross steer or heifer born between June 1 and September 30: M Munro.
Cross calf born on or after January 1: K Sinclair.
Cross calf born on or after March 1, female: 1 K Sutherland; 2 M Tucker; 3 D MacBeath.
Cattle young handler: Sophie Tucker, Thrumster.
Young Farmers' competition:
YF calf – Pedigree born between March 1, 2022, and September 1, 2022: 1, 2, G Oag.
YF calf – Commercial born between March 1, 2022, and September 1, 2022: 1 T Munro; 2 M Tucker; 3 D MacBeath.
YF overall pedigree champion: G Oag.
YF overall commercial champion: Tilly Munro.
YF overall champion: Tilly Munro.
Sheep
Overall supreme sheep: Michael Anderson, West Catchery, Watten, with Cheviot gimmer. Reserve supreme sheep: John Forbes with Cheviot tup lamb.
Cheviots – Cheviot champion: Michael Anderson, gimmer. Reserve champion: John Forbes, tup lamb.
Hill Cheviot: 1 A Campbell; 2 A Miller.
Cheviot tup: K Sutherland.
Cheviot dinmont tup: 1 Kevin Sutherland; 2 S Swanson.
Cheviot tup lamb: 1 J Forbes; 2, 3 S Swanson.
Cheviot ewe in milk: 1 J Forbes; 2 C Forbes.
Cheviot gimmer: 1 M Anderson; 2 Kevin Sutherland; 3 C Forbes.
Cheviot ewe lamb: 1, 2 J Forbes; 3 S Swanson.
Half-bred wedder lamb: S Gillon.
Texel ewe: 1 C & W Budge; 2 W Mackay; 3 A Bisset.
Texel gimmer: 1 A Bisset; 2 E Bain; 3 C & W Budge.
Texel ewe lamb: 1, 2 J Forbes; 3 C & W Budge.
Texel tup: E Bain.
Texel shearling tup: 1 W Mackay; 2 J Forbes; 3 W Mackay.
Texel tup lamb: 1, 2 A Bisset; 3 J Forbes.
Pen of three Texel sheep: 1 A Bisset; 2 C & W Budge; 3 J Forbes.
Suffolks – Suffolk ewe: 1 Kevin Gunn; 2 Henry Sutherland.
Suffolk gimmer: 1 Kevin Gunn; 2 Henry Sutherland.
Suffolk ewe lamb: Henry Sutherland.
Suffolk tup: Kevin Gunn
Suffolk shearling tup: 1 C & W Budge; 2 Kevin Gunn.
Suffolk tup lamb: 1 Kevin Gunn; 2, 3 Henry Sutherland.
Suffolk champion: Kevin Gunn, Suffolk ewe. Reserve champion: Henry Sutherland, ewe lamb.
Sheep, any other breed – Ewe: 1 Michael Anderson; 2, 3 Hannah Sinclair.
Gimmer: 1 James Budge; 2 Michael Anderson; 3 Caitlin Coghill.
Ewe lamb: 1 James Swanson; 2, 3 James Budge.
Tup: 1 James Budge; 2 Dawn Bellamy; 3 D A & K Douglas.
Shearling tup: 1 James Swanson; 2 Sarah Rogers; 3 Greg Hooker.
Tup lamb: 1 Michael Anderson; 2 James Swanson; 3 James Budge.
Any other breed champion: Michael Anderson, Scottish Blackface ewe. Reserve champion: James Budge.
Scottish Blackface – Ewe: 1 D A & K Douglas; 2 Gabby Ivey; 3 Terry Elder.
Male: 1, 2 Terry Elder; 3 Gabby Ivey.
Jacob – Ewe: D & C Coghill. Tup: D&C Coghill.
Gimmer: D & C Coghill. Ewe lamb: D & C Coghill.
Commercial sheep – Ewe with pure-bred twin lambs at foot: D A & K Douglas. Ewe with cross-bred twin lambs at foot: 1 D A & K Douglas; 2 Kevin Gunn; 3 C & W Budge.
Cross sheep other than half-breds, ewe: D A & K Douglas. Cross sheep other than half breds, gimmer: 1 C & W Budge; 2, 3 Sarah Rogers.
Cross sheep other than half-breds, ewe lamb: 1 Sarah Rogers; 2 J Swanson; 3 D A & K Douglas.
Suffolk and commercial champion: Kevin Gunn, Suffolk ewe
Reserve Texel champion: D A & K Douglas, mule and lambs.
Sheep – Young handlers' competition: 1 Abby Miller; 2 Katie Gunn; 3 Kyle Smith.
Goats
Champion: Moorview Snapdragon. Reserve champion: Humphrey Junior, both owned by Robbianne Harrold, Roadside, Reiss.
Billy goats: Moorview Snapdragon. Kids: 1 Humphry Junior; 2 Little Minx; 3 Stanley. Fibre/pygmy goat: Craigie Bonny.
Horses
Overall horse champion: Sarah Campbell and Hannah with Shetland pony Breckan First Endeavour.
Reserve horse champion: Zara Manson, Rushfield White Knight.
Champion working hunter: James Munro, Cosmopolitan Z.
Champion ridden horse: James Munro, Cosmopolitan Z.
Champion Clydesdale: Lucy Aitkens, Ha Durran Primrose.
Champion Shetland: Sarah Campbell, Breckan First Endeavour.
Champion Highland: Natalie MacDonald, Cairns Nev.
Champion in-hand: Lisa Kennedy, Shanrye Finley.
Dog show
Best in show: Ralph, an Italian Spinone owned by Donna Mackay, Bowertower. Reserve best in show: Alfie, a Cocker Spaniel owned by Jennifer Cowie, Wick.
Any variety puppy, 6-12 months: 1 Rudi, Isobel Wilson; 2 Reuben, Gavin Mackay; 3 River, Iona Shearer.
Any variety veteran, 7 years and over: 1 Alfie, Jennifer Cowie; 2 Blythe, Mary Finley; 3 Stag, Augusta Hutt.
Any variety terrier: 1 Gnasher, Alison Wild; 2 Clova, Mari Hamilton; 3 Kitchi, Angus MacInnes.
Any variety working or pastoral: 1 Stag, Augusta Hutt; 2 Bran, Audrey Boyle.
Any variety gundog: 1 Ralph, Donna Mackay; 2 Cazzie, Barbara Smith; 3 Nisha, Mary Finley.
Any variety utility: 1 Rudi, Isobel Wilson; 2 Brodie, I Henderson; 3 Roxy, Christina Davidson.
Any variety toy: 1 Chester, Zoe Sinclair; 2 Skye, Olivia Sinclair; 3 Buddy, Karleigh Ross.
Any variety hound: 1 Billy Roses, Eleanor Hargrave; 2 Jess, Eleanor Hargrave; 3 Dachy, Rosie Streight.
Junior handler under 10: 1 Buddy, Karen Watt; 2 Skye, Olivia Sinclair; 3 Dachy, Rosie Streight
Junior handler, 10-16: 1 Luna, Kayla Wilkie and Harper Maclennan; 2 Zara, Deborah Hourston; 3 Gem, Fraser Wilson.
Cross-breed dog: 1 Finn, Sonja Senguler; 2 Buddy, Karen Watt.
Cross-breed bitch: 1 Zara, Deborah Hourston; 2 Rosie, Karleigh Ross.
Handsome dog: 1 Wyvis, M Hamilton; 2 Billy Roses, Eleanor Hargreaves; 3 Rudi, Isobel Wilson.
Prettiest bitch: 1 Cazzie, Barbara Smith; 2 Nisha, Mary Finley; 3 Skye, Heather Mackay.
Dog the judge would like to take home: 1 Bracken, Donna Sutherland; 2 Wyvis, M Hamilton; 3 Finn, Sonja Senguler.
Flowers
Section 1 – Pot plants (open):
Begonia: Gladys Gunn, Latheron.
Fuchsia: Anne Sutherland, Latheronwheel.
Geranium/pelargonium: Anne Sutherland.
Hydrangea: Gladys Gunn.
Foliage plant: Marna Stephen, Stirkoke.
Flowering plant: Sheila Macleod, Lybster.
Ivy: Sheila Macleod.
Streptocarpus: Sheila Macleod.
Orchid: Gladys Gunn.
Busy lizzie: Gladys Gunn.
Any variety pot plant, grown by a senior citizen: Sheila Macleod.
One cactus/succulent: Marna Stephen.
Variety of house plants in a container: Carol Grant, Lybster.
Pot of lilies: Wendy Mackay, Lybster.
Patio container, plants to be grown in container: Cody Taylor, Lybster.
Plants in a recycled container: Gladys Gunn.
Hanging basket: Gladys Gunn.
Section 2 – Cut flowers:
One fragrant rose: Gladys Gunn.
Four pinks: Freya Bremner, Wick.
Three iris: Audrey Boyle, Latheronwheel.
Six pansies or violas: Wendy Mackay.
Vase of five assorted summer stems: Gladys Gunn.
Three stems, any other variety: Gladys Gunn.
Section 3 – Floral arrangements (open):
The Coronation: Alison Carter, Lybster.
Green is the Theme: Johan White, Dunbeath.
Romantic Interlude: Johan White.
Pretty as a Picture: Johan White.
A Hill Walk: Alison Carter.
Section 4 – Floral arrangements (confined to parish):
The Whisky Trail: Sheena Macleod, Lybster.
Northern Lights: Sheena Macleod.
A Modern Arrangement, No Oasis: Alison Carter.
Section 4 – Have a Go, novice (open):
A Tea Party: Elizabeth Sinclair, Lybster.
Arrangement using a box: Valerie Amin, Forse.
Section 5 – Floral arrangements, open:
Fifteen years and under – Floral decorated branch: Elsie MacAuslan.
Table arrangement: Caitlyn Fairweather.
Primary 3-7 – Decorated flowerpot: Isla Bailey.
Arrangement in a recycled container: Rhea Taylor.
Primary 1-2: Face on a plate: Patrick Murray.
Arrangement in a welly boot: Aria MacDonald.
Nursery and pre-school – Flower picture (coloured in): Emily Sinclair.
Veg – Grow to Show: Jacqui Newman, Lybster (courgettes).
Trophies – Silver Tray presented by the late Muriel Sutherland for best pot plant in section 1 (classes 1-13, open): Gladys Gunn.
The Four Seasons Cup for best pot plant in section 1 (classes 1-13, confined to parish): Gladys Gunn.
The Jim Steven Memorial Trophy presented by Marna Stephen for best busy lizzie in section 1: Gladys Gunn.
Tray presented by the late Pauline Jones for best pot of lilies in section 1: Wendy Mackay.
John Wares Memorial Trophy presented by Mrs Wares and family for most points in section 1: Gladys Gunn.
Trophy presented by Eric Farquhar, Lybster, for best exhibit in section 2: Gladys Gunn.
Shield presented by Gladys Gunn for most points in section 2: Gladys Gunn.
Trophy presented by the Royal Bank of Scotland for best exhibit in section 3: Alison Carter.
Trophy presented by Alison Carter for most points in section 3: Johan White.
Trophy presented by the late Celia More for best exhibit in section 4 (classes 31-33): Sheena Macleod.
Trophy presented by Helen Budge for most points in section 4 (classes 31-33): Sheena Macleod and Alison Carter.
Jean Sutherland Memorial Vase presented by Sheena Macleod for best exhibit in section 4 (classes 34-35): Valerie Amin.
Silver Tray presented by Eileen Farquhar, Lybster, for most points in sections 3 and 4 (classes 26-35): Alison Carter.
Trophy presented by Alison Carter for best exhibit in section 5 (classes 36-37): Caitlyn Fairweather.
Trophy presented by Alison Carter for most points in section 5 (classes 36-37): Caitlyn Fairweather and Elsie MacAuslan.
Trophy presented by Amanda Coghill for best exhibit in section 5 (classes 38-39): Rhea Taylor.
Alex Wares Memorial Shield presented by Mrs I Watt, Dunbeath, for best exhibit in section 5 (classes 40-41): Patrick Murray.
Shield presented by Mrs M Sinclair, Clachan, for best exhibit in section 5 (classes 42-43): Emily Sinclair.
Glass Plate in Memory of John and Anita Sinclair, Clyth Mains, presented by their family for best in show: Gladys Gunn (hydrangea).
Home industries
Any item in Aran/Aran-type wool: 1 Pat Hendry, Forse; 2 Ro Amaris, Latheronwheel; 3 Kimberly Bremner, Wick.
Knitted socks: 1 Patrica McShane, Lybster; 2 Pat Hendry; 3 Donna Sutherland, Latheronwheel.
Draught excluder, any craft: 1 Christine Sutherland, Ulbster; 2 Pat Hendry.
Item of jewellery, any craft: Lynn Hendry, Aberdeen.
Item in macramé: 1 Lynn Hendry; 2 Pat Hendry.
Embroidered picture: 1 Pat Hendry; 2 Christine Sutherland; 3 Lynn Hendry.
Any crocheted item, own choice: 1 Veronica Macleod, Latheron; 2 Ro Amaris; 3 Pat Hendry.
Item in any other craft: 1 Pat Hendry; 2 Christine Sutherland; 3 Donna Sutherland.
Juniors, 18 and under – Customised T-shirt: 1 Roza Amin, Forse; 2 Elsie MacAuslan, Berridale; 3 Anne Dunne, Lybster.
Mandala-style painted stone: 1 Alexandra Bremner, Swiney; 2 Saffiya Amin, Forse; 3 Roza Amin.
Juniors, 12 and under: 1 Orlah Hourston, Wick; 2 Skye Campbell, Lybster.
Decorated stone: 1 Jodie Bremner, Thrumster; 2 Logan; 3 Ella Miller, Thrumster.
Customised T-shirt: 1 Lily Banks, Wick; 2 Seillan Macleod, Latheron.
Decorated stone: 1 Jenson Gunn, Mavsey; 2 Kinley Swan, Lybster; 3 Jacob Linton, Lybster.
Children not yet attending school – Decorated stone: 1 Cara Nicolson, Borrowston; 2 Emily Sinclair, Latheron; 3 Ella Bremner, Halkirk.
Photography – Seniors, Caithness Time: 1 Jacqui Smith, Lybster; 2 Angus MacInnes, Latheronwheel; 3 Valerie Amin, Forse.
Juniors, Feeding Time: 1 Kieran Mackenzie, Mavsey; 2 Robert Kirk, Lybster; 3 Morgan Mackenzie, Mavsey.
Trophies and special prizes
Silver Cup for most points in handicrafts: Pat Hendry.
Trophy for best Aran knitting: Pat Hendry
Trophy for best hand knitting: Patricia McShane.
Shield for best exhibit in under-12 section: Orlah Hourston.
Trophy for most points in junior sections: Lily Banks.
Cup for best exhibit in 18 and under section: John Dunne.
Most points in 18 years and under handicrafts: Roza Amin.
Most points in 12 years and under handicrafts: Orlah Hourston, Jodie Bremner.
Most points in eight years and under handicrafts: Lily Banks.
Best exhibit in handicrafts: Veronica Macleod, crocheted item.
Best exhibit in senior photography: Jacqui Smith.
Best Exhibit in junior photography: Kieran Mackenzie.
Best exhibit in primary school art: Elisa Chisholm.
Best exhibit in nursery/pre-school: Erin Nicolson.
Best exhibit for children not yet attending school: Danny Grant.
Baking
Battenberg cake: 1 Aimee Sinclair, Lybster; 2 Charlie Horne, Dunbeath; 3 Julie Cormack.
Soda bread: 1 Anne Sutherland, Latheronwheel; 2 Lynn Hendry, Forse; 3 Julie Cormack.
Four oatcakes: 1 Aimee Sinclair; 2 Veira Sutherland, Lybster; 3 Charlie Horne.
Four pieces of coconut caramel squares: 1 Sonja Senguler, Wick; 2 Susie Lyall, Lyth; 3 Anne Sutherland, Latheronwheel.
Jar of marmalade: 1 Sheila Macleod, Lybster; 2 Sheila Gillon, Toftingall; 3 Robert Hair, Latheron.
Three strawberry tarts: 1 Julie Cormack; 2 Sonya Senguler; 3 Charlie Horne.
Three pieces of lemon drizzle cake: 1 Julie Cormack; 2 Susie Lyall; 3 Aimee Sinclair.
Three empire biscuits: 1 Veira Sutherland; 2 Lynn Hendry; 3 Carol Grant.
Juniors, 18 and under – Pineapple upside-down cake: 1 John Dunne; 2 Aine Dunne; 3 Roza Amin.
Three pieces of chocolate brownie: 1 Aine Dunne; 2 John Dunne; 3 Tamara Sutherland.
Junior, 12 years and under – Three pieces of no-bake traybake: 1 Aine Dunne; 2 John Dunne; 3 Orlah Hourston.
Three decorated cupcakes: 1 Emily Henderson; 2 Orlah Hourston; 3 Molly MacAuslan.
Juniors, eight years and under – Three peanut butter cookies: 1 Oscar Banks; 2 Lily Banks.
Small slab of chocolate bark: 1 Harrison Taylor; 2 Lily Banks; 3 Oscar Banks.
Children not yet attending school – Chocolate krispies: 1 Danny Grant; 2 Scott Sinclair; 3 Cara Nicolson.
Trophies and special prizes
Silver cup for best exhibit in 18 years and under: John Dunne.
Silver tray for most points in baking, confined to parish: Aimee Sinclair.
Shield for runner-up in baking, confined to parish: Julie Cormack.
Silver tray for most points in baking, outwith the parish: Sonja Senguler.
Silver cup for best exhibit in egg section: Harrison Taylor and Emily Sinclair.
Best exhibit in baking: Aimee Sinclair.
Most points in 18 years and under baking: John Dunne and Aine Dunne.
Most points in 12 years and under baking: Orlah Houston.
Most Points in eight years and under baking: Oscar Banks and Lily Banks.
Eggs – Six duck eggs: Sheila Gillon, Toftingall.
Six hen eggs, white: 1 Ryan Miller, Latheron; 2 Linda Hills, Mid-Clyth; 3 Sheila Gillion.
Six hen eggs, tinted: 1 Jack Elder, Dunbeath; 2 Harrison Taylor and Emily Sinclair, Latheron; 3 Elsie and Molly MacAuslan, Berriedale.
Six hen eggs, brown: 1 Harrison Taylor and Emily Sinclair (best exhibit); 2 Sam Fraser, Dunbeath; 3 Sheila Gillon.
Heaviest hens eggs: 1 Sheila Gillon; 2 Linda Hills; 3 Sam and Jack Elder, Dunbeath.
Other events
Children's sports – Overall winner: Layton MacDonald, Wick. Winner confined to parish: Sophie Sutherland, Lybster.
Best in baby show: Angus Macleod (six months), Thurso.
Vintage tractors and machinery – Best on field: Dodge lorry from John Gunn & Sons, Lybster.
Most original tractor: International b250, Raymond Gunn. Best vintage tractor: Case Model C, David Gunn, Lybster. Best classic tractor: Ford 7910, Sam Streight. Best static display: Stationary baler, Kevin Sinclair, Clachan. Best working history: Massey Ferguson 35, Jenson Gunn, Mavsey.
