The wet weather made for muddy conditions underfoot, but the rain failed to dampen the spirits of the tremendous turnout of exhibitors and stock at the inaugural Scottish National Show of Hampshire Downs, held at Stirling Show.

Stephen Short, of the Highcliffe flock in Halifax, made the journey north to take on the unenviable task of judging. After working his way through the six busy classes, he eventually picked out the female champion as best overall, to the delight of Roy and Sheena MacFarlane, and daughter, Lorna Rennie. Leading the way was the family’s home-bred ewe lamb, Lecropt Olivia, a Normanby Highlander daughter on her first show outing. She is out of Lecropt Holly, one of 30 ewes in the Bridge of Allan-based flock.

Describing his choice of champion, Mr Short said: “She’s a very smart ewe lamb and extremely correct.” For reserve overall, he tapped out the male champion, a “well-muscled and well put together” shearling ram, from Bruce Steel’s Powblack flock at Thornhill, Stirling. Named Whitby Jimmy Crankie, this Treworthal Poldark son was bought at Shrewsbury as a lamb and was placed champion at Ayr and Drymen earlier in the show season. With an EBV in the top 5%, he has proved himself a breeder, with his ram lamb son standing second in its class.

Reserve male champion was another from the Lecropt flock, a home-bred ram lamb, Lecropt Orion. He is another by Normanby Highlander and is out of a home-bred ewe. Topping off a fantastic day for the MacFarlanes, they were also placed first in the group of three.

Meanwhile, reserve overall female went to the winner of the gimmer class, from Angus Mackay and Abbi Findley, of the Glaick flock in Alness. She is sired by Maranatha Harry and is out of a Maranatha-bred ewe.

Thanks to MacGregor Photography for the report and photos