Strathnaver crofter to lead north sheepdog trials team at nursery competition finals
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A SUTHERLAND sheepdog triallist is to lead the team that will represent the north area in the finals of an inter-district nursery competition next month.
Strathnaver crofter Ian Sutherland will captain the Highland Nursery League Team at the Inter-District Nursery Final at Kilmarnock. He will be at the contest with his two-year-old sheepdog Cap.
And accompanying him to the finals will be Jasmine Grant of Dunbeath, with Bob and Lad; and George Simpson of Huntly with Luna and Fleet.
The trio were selected after the Highland Nursery Sheepdog League ran its concluding trial on Friday, February 3, at Knocknagael Farm in Inverness. The trial was a challenge to young dogs with fit, lively cross hoggs.
Knocknagael Nursery is part of a league of 10 trials which determine the team that will represent the north area.
Ian secured the top spot after being placed at each of the 10 qualifying trials, with seven placings in the top three.
Jasmine Grant came second with Bob and also took reserve place with Lad; while George Simpson came third with Luna and fourth with Fleet.
Ian runs North Country Cheviot ewes on his croft along with his father, Neil Sutherland, who also competed in the league, finishing in ninth place.
He uses his dog Cap on the croft and as an essential part of his shepherding services business.
"Cap is a reliable, easy to handle workmate," he said.
More than 30 dogs ran at the nursery trials which are held from October to February each year throughout the Highland and Aberdeenshire area with competitors from as far afield as Huntly, Dunnet, Durness and Skye.
The county of Sutherland was also represented by Jan Mackenzie, Langdale, Jock Sutherland, Durness, and Hugh Mackenzie, Badanloch.
