Sutherland Show president delighted with 'massive turnout'
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The president of the Sutherland Agricultural Society has spoken of his delight at the success of this year's county show in Dornoch.
A combination of great weather and well received main ring entertainment resulted in a crowd of thousands at Dornoch's show grounds as livestock judging and parades took centre stage.
In 2022, a record-breaking turnout of over 6000 spectators descended upon the show grounds at Dornoch Links.
And Show president Mr Ewan Cameron believes that this year's attendance figure may have exceeded that of the previous year.
He said: "We are absolutely delighted with how everything came together with the weather and the crowds. We had a massive turnout of trade stands, exhibitors and livestock. We couldn't have hoped for any better.
"We were a bit concerned about the weather with the rain we've been having in the last few weeks, but everything fell into place for us. We even had a cool breeze, which was nice for the livestock too.
"I think we might be slightly up on last year in terms of attendance. I am pleased that we have managed to build on the momentum of last year's successful return."
Show organisers decided to shake-up their main ring offering this year, with the introduction of the Galcantray Clydesdales, from Cawdor, who recently competed at the World Clydesdale Horse Championships held in Aberdeen.
Mr Cameron added: "The Galcantray Clydesdales were a big success. They were all done up to the nines, towing a wagon around the ring like you'd see in the olden days. We wanted to try something a bit different and it was very well received.
"It was good also to welcome the Red Arrows for a fly over. The Battle of Britain society got in touch about the show, and their calendar worked in with us and they were able to fly past. We had hoped to be joined by the spitfire and hurricane also, but weather further south got in the way.
"We have put a lot of investment into the show this last couple of years, with new security fencing and crowd barriers. With a few more successful shows like this we will be able to continue to invest a bit more into things such as toilet facilities, which are on the list for the coming year."
This year's overall Show champion (and overall sheep champion) was 'Invercharron Golden Girl', a blue texel gimmer, from J Munro & Son, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay.
The overall cattle winner was ‘Sparkle’, a home-bred limousin-cross heifer bred by the Fraser Family from Easter Clune, Nairn.
The pedigree champion from Highland cattle, was ‘Bernice 21st of Tordarroch’, a home bred heifer from Tordarroch Estates, Farr, Inverness.
