Stoltman brothers turn out for Scottish Ploughing Championships at Invergordon farm
A “great team effort” helped ensure a showcase for top agricultural skills went off brilliantly in Ross-shore over the weekend.
Newmore Farm near Invergordon was the host venue for the 60th anniversary of the Scottish Ploughing Championships, held over Saturday and Sunday.
A total of 113 ploughers competed in 17 different classes taking in everything from horse ploughing to the use of modern day machinery.
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The two days of competition culminated in Andrew Mitchell senior, from Forfar, being named overall world style champion. He automatically qualifies to represent Scotland at the 2025 World Ploughing Championships, to be held in the Czech Republic.
Continuing his winning ways he was runner-up at this year’s world championships, held in Estonia in August.
The weekend also included a fantastic selection of vintage and classic tractors with vehicles covering all the decades from the 1930s through to the present day while world’s strongest brothers Luke and Tom Stoltman, from Invergordon, also attended to show their support - including taking part in the traditional “blessing of the plough” ceremony conducted at Invergordon Parish Church before the competition got under way.
The Scottish Ploughing Championships is a registered charity which aims to promote the importance of ploughing within agriculture and encourage young people as both competitors and judges.
The championships are organised by a local area committee, this year comprising of members of both the Black Isle and Easter Ross Ploughing Matches.
Scottish Ploughing Championships secretary Fiona Mackintosh said of the weekend: “The weather was brilliant, it was dry and we even had some sunshine. A wee drop of rain on Saturday about 2pm but that was nothing that caused any issue.
“It was a great team effort from the management committee and directors, and local area ploughing matches, all pulling together making the event a great success.
“It was good to have Cammy Wilson from Landward attend, and the Stoltman boys.
“Tom and Luke carried the plough into Invergordon Parish Church on Thursday night for the blessing of the plough, one of the traditions of the match.”
For full details of winners across the competition classes see the Scottish Ploughing Championships Facebook page.
