Top Sutherland sheepdog handlers to compete in national competition this weekend

Three top sheepdog handlers from Sutherland are part of a strong team from the north of Scotland competing in a national competition this weekend.

Jasmine Grant, Dunbeath and her dog Nell, Ian Sutherland, Strathnaver, and his dog Heilan Cap (Dan), and Neil Sutherland, also Strathnaver, and reserve dog Usk Vale Rex, are heading to Stranraer to compete in the Scottish Inter-District Nursery Sheepdog Final.

The other members of the team are George Simpson, Huntly, with Greiston Mick, Daniel Worthington, Scarfskerry, with Albert (Bob) and Harry Cooper, New Deer, with Roy.

They will be competing against teams of handlers and dogs from 10 areas across Scotland in the hope of winning a place on the Scottish team which will travel to Stafford later this month to compete in the Four Nations Nursery Sheepdog Final.

The team was selected after five months of competition in the North of Scotland Nursery League which runs nine trials across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire from October to February.

Competitors travelled up to 3700 miles and clocked up to 84 driving hours to attend trials at Staffin, Durness, Huntly and Udny, among others, in order to gain cumulative points to earn a place on the team.

Dogs have to be no older than two years of age on January 1 in order to compete in the series of nursery trials each year.

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