An early start from Tarves in Aberdeenshire proved worthwhile for the McKerrow family when they lifted the inter-breed cattle title and champion of champions award with a Limousin heifer at a glorious Fife Show.
They also went home with the reserve Texel honours with a ewe lamb by the 30,000gns Clanfield Golden.
David and Jean McKerrow and their two sons, David and James, moved north four years ago to Uppermill Farm at Tarves, where they run 10 pedigree Limousins, four pure British Blue cows, and 80 sucklers. Always keen supporters of their local Fife Show, the family has been making the return journey to Cupar ever since.
Soaking up the limelight was Tillycairn Uptown Girl, a home-bred heifer by Gunnerfleet Lion, out of Homebyres Lovely. Born in March 2023, she stood reserve female at Turriff last summer.
Commenting on his choice of supreme beef, Jim Cannon, Redbrae in Wigtownshire, said she was an outstanding example of the Limousin breed. Perfect in every way and caught his eye as soon as she entered the ring. He had no hesitation awarding her the red, white and blue rosette.
The Limousin was one of five animals paraded in the main ring in front of a panel of the five inter-breed judges who awarded points to each one, apart from their own breed.
It was another memorable day for the Wilson family, Carskerdo, Cupar, when they scooped the overall dairy honours for the ninth consecutive year. Leading the way was Aireburn Fortune Melissa, a fifth calver, by Progenesis Fortune out of Aireburn Solaris Melissa. This Ex94 classified cow on her first outing calved in February and is producing 52 litres daily.
Inter-breed sheep judge, James Frame, Biggar, found his champion in the home-bred Texel gimmer Hotstuff, a Teiglum Goliath daughter from Robert Cockburn, Hill of Errol, Perth. She will be sold at the timed online Black and White sale from Mr Cockburn and Mark Priestley, run by H&H next weekend.
Leading the horse section was the three-year-old hunter, Achilty Eclipse. This in-hand gelding, owned and bred by David Shand, was paraded by Mr Shand’s grandson, Hunter MacDonald. They made the long journey from the Achility Sports Horse stud at Conton, north of Inverness. Eclipse is sired by Copilot and out of one of their home-bred mares, Doranna. He won the overall at Ayr and was supreme at the Royal Northern Spring Show.
Leading Awards
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: J Frame). Champion – E Thomson, Cairnbog, Kilsyth, with the heifer, Cairnbog Grace Beauty 23, by Fearn Godfather and out of Coldrochie Grace Beauty. Reserve – N Hynd, Welbeck Road, Galston with Westbroad Bramble Tina, a two-year-old heifer by the 12,000gns Shawhill Leroy out of Westbroad Bramble 3. Champion at Ayr and successfully shown last year. Male champion, junior bull, calf – A Haigh, Balquhadly, Brechin. Reserve male, senior male – W and J McGowan, Fingask, Dairsie. Cow – J Wood and R Lawson, Brewsterwells, St Andrews. Senior heifer – E Thomson. Junior heifer – N Hynd.
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: E Campbell, Fort William). Champion – G Milne, Kilnady, St Andrews with the yearling bull, Kinaldy Jet Eric. This Promise Emperor son, out of Kinaldy Jewel Erica, was on his show debut. Reserve – Brailes Livestock, c/o R and C Rettie, with the March 2023-born Idvies Eliza Z150. Her sire is Duncanziemere Jacobite W374 and his dam is Idvies Elstrome W934. Female champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza, second at the Aberdeen Angus Summer National, at the Border Union Show and at the Royal Highland, 2024. Junior bull – G Milne. Cow, senior heifer, junior heifer, calf – Brailes Livestock. Pairs – G Milne.
Belted Galloway (Judge: S Campbell, Dalmally). Champion – A and Susan Campbell, Galston, with Croasdale Tala, a September 2022-born heifer, paraded in calf. Sired by Lomond Whisky Galore, she was champion at Ayr. Reserve – M Forster, c/o R and Carol Rettie, with another Croasdale-bred in-calf heifer, Croasdale Tawny Owl. She is sired by the same bull as the champion and bought from the Handley family last year after winning the English National Show. Bull, heifer – A and S Campbell. Cow – L and R Brown, Rose Cottage, Radernie. Calf – A Kerr, Ardmhor Cottage, Angus. Pair – M Forster, c/o R and C Rettie.
Highland (Judge: S Campbell). Champion and reserve – M and Sally Nairn, Balnabroich. Supreme was Strathardle’s Sidonia (B) 18 of Balnabroich, a 2023-born heifer. By Commander of Benmore and out of Sidonia 3 of Balnabroch, she was first at Kirriemuir. Runner up was a 2024-born heifer, Sidonia (O) 15 of Balnabrioch, on her first show outing. She is by Iain Ruadh 2 of Glengarnock and out of Sidonia (O) 12 of Balnabrioch. Bull – J Singer, Kintore House, Auchenblae. Senior heifer – Drumad Estate, Bankfoot. Junior heifer, pairs – M and S Nairn.
Hereford (Judge: E Campbell). Champion – R and C Rettie’s 14-month-old heifer, Hean 1 Plover, by Hean Tombola, out of Hean Pal. She was bought as a calf at foot with her dam at the Hean dispersal last August. Reserve – J Cameron, Balbuthie, Kilconquhar with the junior bull, Baldinnie 1 Broc by Fab 1 Rory, out of Baldinnie Ruth. She was paraded by stockman, James Musgrave. Senior bull, junior bull, cow, pairs – J Cameron. Junior heifer, calf – R and C Rettie.
Lincoln Red (Judge: J Frame, Biggar). Champion and reserve – A Mylius, St Fort, Newport-on-Tay. Champion was Trainview Cassius, a two-year-old by Alnwick Field out of St Fort Frosty. He was bought at Stirling in February for 13,000gns. Bred by Jim Cameron and Valerie Orr, Hillend of Burnsire, Forfar. Runner-up was the two-year-old heifer, St Fort Anne, by St Fort Albert, also making her show debut. Senior bull, senior heifer, pairs – A Mylius. Junior bull – H Mylius. Cow – Trainview Livestock.
Charolais (Judge: Jean Mackay Parker, Kirkmichael). Champion – B Dufton, Bogie Street, Huntly, with the two-year-old heifer, Utopia Unique, by Stranagone Jones out of Utopia Jacqueline. First outing for the heifer bought privately from Wendy Kingaby, Gardenston. Reserve – Amy Russell with Airthmains Una by Mowbray Park Torpedo, out of Airthmains Rosie. Second at the Royal Highland Show 2024. Senior heifer – B Duffton.
British Blue (Judge: Jean Mackay Parker). Champion – Rosie Simpson, Mains of Creuchie, Alyth with the yearling bull, Baldray Blues Umpire, by Todhall Nutmeg out of Brennand Petal. He was second at Stars of the Future.
Limousin (Judge: Jean Mackay Parker). Champion of champions, inter-breed champion and best pedigree beef animal bred by exhibitor – D McKerrow, Uppermill, Tarves, with the two-year-old heifer, Tillycairn Uptowngirl. By Gunnerfleet Lion and out of Homebyres Lovely, she stood reserve female at Turriff last year. Reserve – Beth Thomson, Hilton of Beath, Kelty with Beath Vanquish, a yearling heifer, on her first show outing by Spittalton Scapa out of Beath Odyssey.
Commercial (Judge: S Bett, Stirling). Champion – D and P Blair, Little Inch, with Lucky, a Charolais cross by Goldies Shergar, out of a Limousin cross cow. First outing of 2025, after taking a red tickewt at Beef Expo and Livescot. Reserve – W Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie with Shelby GT, a yearling heifer by Maraiscote Rocky, out of a Limousin cross dam. Cross heifer (calf teeth), cross bullock, any age, native – D and P Blair. Cross heifer born Sept 1, 2024-Dec 31, 2024 – A Ireland, Braeside, Darvel. Steer born Sep 1, 2024-Dec 31, 2024, Limousin cross bullock (calf teeth), pairs, group of three – W Peters.
Holstein (Judge: D Parker, Kirkmichael). Champion, reserve and inter-breed dairy – J and I Wilson, Carskerdo, Cupar with Aireburn Fortune Melissa Ex94, a daughter of Progenesis Fortune out of Aireburn Solaris Melissa. This fifth-lactation cow calved in February and is producing 52 litres daily. Reserve was Leadham Rubels Siesme, a second calver, by Hoogerhorst Rubels-Red out of Leedham Awesome Seisme. She is bred from 14 generations of VG and excellent cows and is producing 40 litres, having calved in October. Calf born 2025, maiden heifer – Nether Pratis Farming Company, Leven. Junior cow, senior cow, pairs – J and I Wilson.
Any other dairy breed (Judge: D Parker). Champion and reserve – A Lawson, North Cassingray, Leven. Supreme was the British Friesian third-calver, Lismulligan Beauty 3, VG88-3yr, a Lismulligan Premier daughter calved three weeks ago and giving 38gs. She is out of Lismulligan Beauty and won the same section last year. Runner up was a nine-month-old British Friesian calf, Lismulligan Empress 86. She is sired by Lismulligan Demon and out of Lismulligan Empress 69 Ex93 – the 2024 champion at the UK Dairy Expo. Heifer, heifer, cow, group of three – A Lawson.
Cattle young handlers (Judges: Jean Mackay Parker and D Parker). Junior beef – 1 and reserve, Lily Smith; 2, Jessica Brown; 3, Ruby Rowbottom. Senior beef – 1 and champion, Ruby Simpson; 2, Cameron Harrison; 3, Ruaridh Lawson. Junior dairy – 1, Struan Lawson. Senior dairy – 1 Orlaith Lawson; 2, Finlay Scott.
Clydesdales (Judge: B Scott, Limavady). Champion – M and Jacqui Munro with yeld mare Gersa Lady Emma by Collessie Monarch and out of Gersa Lady Lauren. Champion at Caithness, Nairn, and the Black Isle shows last year. Reserve – S Greenhill, Leuchars Lodge, Leuchars, with the five-year-old mare, Fordelhill Limelight, by Glebeview Sir Charles out of Fordelhill Heather. Second in her class to the champion, this yeld mare was champion at Dunblane and Banchory last year. Gelding, three-years-old and over – Ailsa Noble, Peggyslea, Penicuik. Yeld mare – MW and JL Munro. Mare, foal, filly yearling, colt or gelding two-years-old. – RH Black Collessie, Ladybank. Two-year-old filly – Ian McIntosh,Braeburn, Invergowrie. Colt or gelding yearling – L Martin. Ridden – Lauren Smith with West Glen Abelia. Young handlers – Blythe Duncan; reserve – Adam Martin.
Highland (Judge: J Reid, Insch). Champion – JJ and A Simpson, Chapelhill Farm, Perth, with the previously unshown yeld mare, Scaraben Tri Coigean, by Bellyat Muldoanich out of Mhairi od Osclay. Reserve – A Baird, West Whitefield, Burleton, with the six-year-old mare, Bonnie Lass of Whitefield, by Whitefield Prince Platinum, out of Whisper of Whitefield, shown with colt foal at foot. First at the Royal Highland last year. Senior mare – JJ and A Simpson. Filly, colt or gelding three-years-old – WKA and JA Allan. Filly, colt or gelding two-years-old – JA and A Baird. Filly, colt or gelding, yearling – J Ralston. Mare with foal – A Baird.
Standard Shetlands (Judge: D Gibson, Aberford). Champion – Brenda Laing, Eynhallow, Errol, with the eight-year-old mare, Eynhallow Contessa by Sapphire Vision, out of Eynhallow BVelle. Reserve – Senga Murray, McWilliam Place, Kinross, with the yearling filly, Almondene Tigerlily, by Stow Braw Lad out of Narinian Ekaterina. Mare – B Laing. Mare with foal at foot, foal, yearling filly, colt or gelding – Mawcarse Shetlands. Filly, colt or gelding – Donna Lochtie. Stallion – Eynhallow Shetlands.
Miniature Shetlands (Judge: Nicola Marshall, Perth). Champion – L Cochrane, Almswall Road, Kilwinning with Halstock Apollo by Kerswell Warrior, out of Halstock Aniseed. Reserve – C Andrews, The Hobbit, Coupar Angus with Parlington Juniper Berry by Parlington Spike, out of Parlington Utopia. Mare, stallion or gelding. – L Cochrane. Foal – C Mathison. Yearling filly, colt or gelding – L Wylie. Filly, colt or gelding two or three years old – C Andrews. Young handlers – Champion – Rory Andrews; reserve – Karys Sutherland
Border Leicester (Judge: A Watson, Galashiels). Champion – E Mill, Shawsmill, Cardenden, Lochgelly, with a home-bred gimmer by Muirmouth Vanquish. This was Euan’s third championship in four years at Fife. Reserve – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, Cupar, with a three-crop ewe by a Clola sire. Aged tup, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – E Mill, Shawsmill, Cardenden. Tup lamb – R Groat, Bishopton Bungalow, Portlethan. Ewe – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth.
Suffolk (Judge: J Cannon, Wigtown). Champion and reserve – S Lathangie, Pyeston, Glenrothes. Supreme was a ewe bought from Daffyd Jones at Carlisle for £4000. Reserve was a ewe lamb which is an ET sister to last year’s supreme – sired by Limestone Marksman, and bred from a ewe by Limestone Limited Edition. Aged tup, tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – S Lathangie.
Texel (Judge: C Gauld, Auchterarder). Champion and inter-breed sheep – R Cockburn, Knap flock, Errol, with Hotstuff, a previously unshown home-bred gimmer by Teiglum Goliath, out of a Sportsman’s Cannon Ball-sired ewe. She is to be sold at a timed online Black and White sale, run by Harrison and Hetherington next weekend. Reserve – J McKerrow, Uppermill, Tarves, with a ewe lamb by the 30,000gns Clanfield Golden, out of Ettrick Earthquake. Aged tup – W Duthie/R Laird. Tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – J McKerrow. Ewe, gimmer – R Cockburn.
AOB pedigree MV accredited (Judge: Jenni Cannon, Wigtown). Champion – R Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, with a home-bred, three-crop ewe which is the dam of last year’s champion Matts Dark Knight. Reserve – A Stewart, Kininmonth, Cupar, with a three-shear Beltex tup, Stonehills Horacio, by Lakeview Doziern. Aged tup, tup lamb, group of three – A Stewart. Ewe, ewe lamb – RH Black. Gimmer – C Nicholson.
AOB pedigree non-MV accredited (Judge: Jenni Cannon). Champion – L Roberts, Easter Craigdickier, Dunfermline, with a Dutch Spotted, one-shear tup, Backtor Gary, bought last year at Carlisle. Reserve – Balcaskie Farms, Pittenweem, with a January-born Hampshire Down ram lamb, by the record priced ram Maverick. Aged tup, ewe – L Roberts, Easter Craigduckie, Dunfermline. Tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – E Ramage, Balcaskie Estate. Gimmer – J Goldie.
Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: S Davies, Selkirk). Champion – A Crozier, North Cotton, Kingennie, with a shearling ram bought last year from Dewy Perry. Second at the Royal Highland in 2024. Reserve – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews, with a gimmer by a Cocklaw sire and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged tup, tup lamb, ewe, ewe lamb, group of three – A Crozier. Gimmer – G Milne.
Cheviot (Judge: S Davies). Champion – G Milne with a first-time shown home-bred gimmer by Kingside Chianti out of a home-bred ewe. This was the 26th championship win here for the Kinaldy flock. Reserve – B Lang, Uplands with a one-shear tup. Aged tup – B Lang. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer – G Milne. Ewe lamb, group of three – Pam Tapson, Littleton of Monzie, Crieff.
Crosses (Judge: C Gauld). Champion and reserve – Kim Stretch, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Gilmerton, with a home-bred commercial ewe with lamb at foot and reserve with a home-bred native gimmer. Gimmer by native sire, pen of three – J Messenger, Ayton, Aberagie. Cross gimmer by continental sire, ewe with pair of lambs – K Stretch.
Fat lambs (Judge: C Gauld). Champion and reserve – KA and J Robertson, Newton of Logierait Pitlochry, with a pair of February-born, home-bred Texel cross lambs. Runner-up was a Beltex cross shown by son Euan.
Shetland (Judge: Kate Sharp, Humble). Champion and reserve – D Alcorn and G Ingram, Annavale Shetland Sheep, Biggar with a home-bred coloured gimmer and reserve with the white champion, a home-bred gimmer out of a home-bred ewe. Aged tup (white), ewe (white), A and F Hipwell. Aged tup (coloured), ewe (coloured), gimmer (coloured) – D Alcorn and G Ingram. Tup lamb (white), tup lamb (coloured), ewe (coloured), patterned, group of three J Steven, Rosebank, Currie. Ewe lamb (white) – E Stables, Taigh Sa Choille, Keith
National Jacob Show (Judge: A Christie, Huntly). Champion – E Macmillan, Lurg, Fintry, with a January-born ewe lamb bred from a Pentranent ewe on its first outing. Reserve – R Locker, Greenlaw Mill Farm, Greenlaw, with a one-crop, home-bred ewe, a former breed champion at the Royal Highland Show. Aged tup – B Webster, Higham Farm Cottage, Neweburgh. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, group of three – R Locker. Ewe lamb – E Macmillan.
Valais Blacknose (Judge: Emma Glacken, Kirk Newton). Champion – T Blackwood, The Cobble Shop, Kilmarnock with a ewe lamb. Reserve – R and K Taylor, Whiterigg Farm, Falkirk, with a gimmer. Aged tup – C Losty, Meikle Wetland, New Cumnock. Tup lamb – Spango Bank Valley Blacknose. Ewe, gimmer – R and K Taylor. Ewe lamb – T Blackwood.
Sheep young handlers – Aged under 10yrs MV lamb – 1, Zannah Stewart. Aged 10-16yrs MV lamb – 1 and champion – Rory Wood. Under 10yrs non MV lamb – 1 and reserve – Alice Maitland. Aged 10-16yrs non MV – 1, Emily Norris.
