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Achunabust or bust as vintage tractors lead the field for ploughing match

By David G Scott
- david.scott@hnmedia.co.uk
Published: 10:16, 15 October 2021
 | Updated: 10:19, 15 October 2021

Conditions on the ground were "greasy" for a popular agricultural event held last Saturday at Achunabust Farm near Reay.

After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club had its annual vintage ploughing match with 20 competitors coming as far afield as Inverness and judges from Carnoustie.

International tractor dating from 1929 with an International drag plough and operated by Michael Mackay from West Greenland who was overall champion at the event. . Picture: DGS
International tractor dating from 1929 with an International drag plough and operated by Michael Mackay from West Greenland who was overall champion at the event. . Picture: DGS

Speaking at the event Sandy Mackay, ploughing match convenor, said: "It's going better than expected after a very wet morning. We had one boy pull out but it wasn't due to the ground conditions it was the diesel choked on his tractor.

"Ground conditions could be better as we had too much rain over the last few days and it's greasy on top. We were needing so much but we got too much rain now."

Sandy Mackay, ploughing match convenor at the event. Picture: DGS
Sandy Mackay, ploughing match convenor at the event. Picture: DGS

Sandy explained how the water had penetrated through the top couple of inches of the soil but it was "nearly bone dry" a bit deeper down making conditions tricky, especially for the older tractors as they don't have the same grip as newer models.

Judges on the day were Morris Blacklaws from Carnoustie; Grant MacDonald from Forfar; and William Campbell from Gersa. Stewards at the event were Clair Meiklejohn and Don Calder.

The ground had a lot of rain in the top layer but was drier a few inches down making the soil greasy. Picture: DGS
The ground had a lot of rain in the top layer but was drier a few inches down making the soil greasy. Picture: DGS

Sandy said that there is more to look forward to with the Scottish National Ploughing Championships being held at Stanstill Farm in Caithness on the last Saturday of October 2022. Ploughing season has begun in the county and will continue into spring next year.

Overall champion at the event was Michael Mackay from West Greenland farm driving an International with an International plough.

Winners announced at the end of the day were from left, Jamie Sinclair, Michael Mackay, Gerald Macleod, Johnny Matheson, Stevie Blackwood and Graeme Mackay.
Winners announced at the end of the day were from left, Jamie Sinclair, Michael Mackay, Gerald Macleod, Johnny Matheson, Stevie Blackwood and Graeme Mackay.

Competition results for the ploughing match are as follows:

Class 1 Drag: 1 Michel Mackay; 2 Graeme Mackay; 3 Johnny Matheson

Class 2 Mounted: 1 Gerald Macleod; 2 Iain Mackay/Campbell Morrison

Class 3 Classic: 1 Donnie Macdonald; 2 Stevie Blackwood; 3 Andrew Sinclair

Novice: Jamie Sinclair

Gallery1

Vintage ploughing competition at Achunabust with Billy Campbell and his Ferguson FE35 which dates from 1957. Picture: DGSThe end of the event at Achunabust Farm.Stewards at the event were Clair Meiklejohn, left, and Don Calder.Rebekah Brett-Pitt of Wild Highland Drinks had her Wee Dram Van for well-needed refreshments. Picture: DGSWee Dram Van was operated by Rebekah Brett-Pitt of Wild Highland Drinks.This vintage tractor, an International, dates from 1929. Picture: DGSGraeme Mackay ploughs a furrow during the competition and won an award for 'best finish on field'. Picture: DGSGraeme Mackay from Buldoo on his Farmall tractor with Ransome plough nears the end of the competition at Achunabust farm. Picture: DGSCaithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club held its annual vintage ploughing match at Achunabust Farm near Reay. Johnny Matheson from North Kessock is pictured on an International B250 and pulling a Ransome plough. Picture: DGSGeorge Williamson from Dixonfield on a John Deere tractor with a John Deere plough for the Class 1 drag competition. Picture: DGSJohnny Matheson from North Kessock ploughs ahead and won an award for 'best outwith the county'. Picture: DGSConditions cleared after a very wet morning and it was dry for the last couple of hours of the competition. Picture: DGSPart way through the match and the vintage tractors are going full steam ahead. Picture: DGSJudging the furrows of the competitors. Picture: DGSInternational tractor dating from 1929 with a drag plough and operated by Michael Mackay who was overall champion at the event. Picture: DGSIan Mackay from Mount Pleasant farm on an International tractor and with an International plough. Picture: DGSJohnny Matheson from North Kessock on an International B250 and pulling a Ransome plough. Picture: DGSGeorge Williamson from Dixonfield on a John Deere tractor with a John Deere plough. Picture: DGSGraeme Mackay from Buldoo on his vintage Farmall tractor and with a Ransome plough at Achunabust Farm with Dounreay in the background. Graeme came second in the drag competition. Picture: DGSDounreay nuclear facility was close to the site of the ploughing match. Graeme Mackay from Buldoo is on a Farmall and pulling a Ransome plough. Picture: DGSOverall champion Michael Mackay on his International tractor which is over 80 years old. Picture: DGSGeorge Williamson from Dixonfield on a John Deere tractor with a John Deere plough. Picture: DGSDon Macleod from Lyth on his Massey Ferguson 135 with a Newlands plough. Picture: DGSRobbie Flett in a David Brown 996 tractor pulling a Fiskars plough. Picture: DGSDon Macleod from Lyth on his Massey Ferguson 135 with a Newlands plough. Picture: DGSRobert Sutherland on a John Deere tractor with a Kverneland plough. Picture: DGSRobert Sutherland on a John Deere tractor with a Kverneland plough. Picture: DGSConditions were far from perfect after heavy rain penetrated the top few inches of soil. Picture: DGSRobbie Flett from Watten was in a David Brown tractor pulling a Fiskars plough. Picture: DGSThe vintage tractors have been beautifully restored. This is Billy Campbell's Ferguson FE35 which dates from 1957. Picture: DGSChecking over the engine of William Mackay's Ford 4000. Picture: DGS

Best start, straightest furrow, neatest ins and outs, on field: Michael Mackay

Best finish on field: Graeme Mackay

Best work with a pre-1950’s tractor: Michael Mackay

Best work with a Fordson tractor: Stevie Blackwood

Best start, finish and straightest furrow in drag: Michael Mackay

Confined to county champion: Michael Mackay

Overall champion: Michael Mackay

Outwith county: Johnny Matheson

Related article:

Vintage ploughing match at Achunabust this weekend

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