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The North and West Caithness Ploughing Association held its 32nd annual ploughing match at Cromiequoy Farm, Watten, by kind permission of Jim Macdonald.

Ploughing got under way at 9.30am last Sunday and with the sun shining there were quite a few spectators came along to see a high standard of workmanship from all the competitors.

This year the judges were Gordon Hepburn, Snr from Elgin , who was joined by Raymond Middleton from Elgin, in judging 12in, Classic and Vintage Trailing Classes.

Graham Mutch, Elgin and Willie MacDonald, Mosstodloch, were tasked with judging the Reversible 2 and 3 Furrow, Multi Furrow Reversibles and Vintage Mounted Classes.

It was very close for champion of the field between James Tait, Mey and Gavin Robertson, Barrock, both ploughing in the Reversible 2 and 3 Furrow Class, with James edging out Gavin to take the trophy donated by representatives of the late William Farquhar Folly for the champion on the field.

Sandy Younger, Hoy, judged the best-kept tractor and long-time association member George Mackay, Wick, was steward for the day.

Results:

12in and over – 1 Graeme Mackay, Buldoo; 2 William Campbell, Gersa; 3 John Gunn, North Killimster.

Best start, finish and straightest fur – Graeme Mackay, Buldoo.

The William Munro Memorial Trophy presented by T Munro and family for the winner of the 12in and over class and Alister Macleod Memorial Cup (Perpetual) for the Best Start and Finish combined in the 12in Class – Graeme Mackay, Buldoo.

Classic – 1 Willie Mackay, Biggins; 2 Iain Sinclair, Thurso; 3 Don Macleod, Lyth.

Best Start – Andrew Sinclair, Toftcarl.

Best Finish and Straightest Fur – Willie Mackay, Biggins.

Trophy presented by John Hymers, Burnside for the winner of the Classic Class – Willie Mackay, Biggins.

Reversible 2 and 3 Furrow – 1 James Tait, Mey; 2 Gavin Robertson, Barrock.

M A Munro (Drainage Contractors) Halkirk Perpetual Cup for the winner of the 2 and 3 furrow Reversible Class – James Tait, Mey.

Best start – James Tait, Mey.

Best finish and straightest fur – Gavin Robertson, Barrock.

Reversible – Multifurrow – 1 William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock; 2 Scott Rosie, Hunster; 3 Donald Campbell, Castletown.

Best Start – David Anderson, Watten.

Best Finish – Scott Rosie, Hunster.

Straightest Fur – Campbell Morrison, The Hirsel.

W & A Oag, Brims Mains Perpetual Trophy for winner of the Multifurrow class – William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.

P W Mackay, Halkirk Cup for Overall winner of the Reversible classes – James Tait, Mey.

Shield presented by R B Flett, Central Garage, Watten for the best ploughed lot in the Reversibles by a person 21 years and under – Scott Rosie, Hunster.

Perpetual Cup presented by Donald MacDonald, Laurel for the best ploughed lot in the Reversibles by a person 30 years old and under – William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.

Trophy presented by Gavin Robertson, Briary, Barrock for the Best Start and Finish combined by a person 30 years old and under in the Reversible classes – Scott Rosie, Hunster.

Vintage Mounted – 1 Michael Sutherland, Thurso; 2 Gerald Macleod, North Kessock; 3 James Mackay, Biggins.

Best Start – Michael Sutherland, Thurso.

Best Finish & Straightest – Gerald Macleod, North Kessock.

The late Pink Mackay Cup for the winner of the Vintage Mounted class & North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board Shield for the winner of the Multifurrows – Michael Sutherland, Thurso.

Vintage Trailing – 1 John Matheson, North Kessock, 2 George Williamson, Dixonfield.

Best start – John Matheson, North Kessock.

Best Finish and Straightest Fur – George Williamson, Dixonfield.

Omand's Garage Cup for the winner of the Vintage Trailing class – John Matheson, North Kessock.

Association shield for youngest ploughman – Craig Gunn, Quoys of Reiss.

Young Farmers – 1 William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock, 2 William Campbell, Gersa; 3 John Gunn, North Killimster.

Mey Perpetual Trophy presented by Sandy McCarthy for the best Ploughed Lot by a member of a Young Farmers Club – William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.

Overall Trophies:

Allan's of Gillock Tray for Overall Straightest Furrow; W S Gunn Shield for Best Overall Finish and Silver basket donated by the representatives of the late William and Chris Farquhar for the best start and finish combined in the Vintage Sections – Gerald Macleod, North Kessock.

Jim Henderson Memorial Bowl for the Best start, finish and straightest furrow combined in the Vintage Mounted and Trailing Classes (confined to Caithness): The William Farquhar Memorial Trophy (Perpetual) re-presented 2007 for the best in the Vintage Classes; and Association Tray for best in the Vintage and Horse – Michael Sutherland, Thurso.

Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Car Club Shield for Best Vintage Tractor – George Williamson, Dixonfield.

Best Kept Tractor (other than Vintage) – Campbell Morrison, The Hirsel.

Clayquoys Cup presented by the late Mr D Miller, Upper Ackergill for the best ploughed lot by a competitor under 25 years old (perpetual) (confined to County) – William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.

Willie Mackay (AI Services) Shield for the neatest ends on the field – Gavin Robertson, Barrock.

Sandy Banks Memorial Trophy presented by Mrs Ella Banks and family for the best Junior 21 years and under (confined to Caithness) – Scott Rosie, Hunster.

Colin Sinclair Memorial Quaich presented in his memory by his family for the best start and finish combined overall – Gavin Robertson, Barrock.

Achavarn Cup for best Overall Start; The Daniel Cup presented by Mr Ian Daniel, Strichen for the best ploughed lot in the 12in and Reversible Sections; Bank of Scotland Cup for Best Ploughed lot by a competitor in the N and W District; The late Charles Macivor Cup for the County Champion; The William Allan 1897 Cup re-presented by his grandson, Mr William Allan, Berkshire in 1997 for the County Champion; and Trophy donated by the representatives of the late William Farquhar Folly for the Champion on the Field – James Tait, Mey.

Grove Lounge Cup for Reserve Overall Champion – Gavin Robertson, Barrock.

Keith Murray Cup for 3rd Overall on the Field – William Ronaldson, Lower Gillock.

Furthest travelled – John Matheson, North Kessock.

Oldest ploughman – Gerald Macleod, North Kessock.

Best looking ploughman – Donald Campbell, Castletown.

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