Jim Campbell very kindly met the Irish visitors and escorted them to his Fourthview Farm, By Linlithgow where he farms 70 acres, having 12 British Blonde cows and their followers before meeting with the other guests for the weekend at Ram Rigg Farm in Dunns. Hosted by Mr and Mrs G Hamilton members enjoyed a BBQ before viewing Ramrigg Farm. The Hamiltons run 10 pedigree cattle and 68 commercial cows and their followers with three Blonde bulls Ardmore Upgrade, Strathisla Braveheart and Hillhead Brilliant.

Members were treated to a very enjoyable evening on Friday at the Edinburgh Conference centre whereby Mr David Arkley kept the members entertained with his after dinner speaking and superb singing.

Saturday morning was spent at the Hopes family farm who runs the Brownhill herd of pedigree cattle. Farming 400 acres with 14 pure bred British Blondes and 80 commercial cows running two British Blonde bulls; Whistley Publican and Hallfield Albatross. It was here that members were introduced to three pens of pedigree cattle, bulls, cows and heifers. Members split into groups of three whereby they aimed to prove their stock judging skills, some more serious and skilled than others.

The second visit saw members taken to Little Galla Farm, Wiston, Biggar hosted by Jim and Margaret Frame. Members were treated to the most amazing views of this 499 acre hill farm as they were taken up to view the Gala herd comprising of 50 cows of which 25 are British Blonde cows and then their followers. Shapfell Vimto and Garngour Tornado are the stock bulls that the Frames have been using and are delighted with. The second part of the competition took place here at Galla Farm with a twist in members guessing the date of birth of one of Jim Frames texel ewes.

The third visit of the day was to the Clarke family at North Garngour farm Lanarkshire. As with the other three farms we were treated to amazing hospitality and the opportunity to view the Garngour herd. Farming 860 acres with 9 British Blonde cows and their followers using Whitefield Bullawayo as their stock bull and aslo120 dairy cows, 100 sucklers, 200 pure texel sheep and 500 cross ewes. The final leg of the competition took place here where members judged one pen of Blonde cattle and two pens of award winning texel lambs.

Following a very much appreciated and fabulous BBQ presented and cooked by Jim Campbell of the Forthview herd, results were in for the days activities. Under 18; 1 st John Green. 18 – 30 group 1 st Francis McDaid. Over 30s 1 st Robbie Kennedy. Overall individual winner was Robbie Kennedy who won the sweep on the day. 1 st under 18 team John Green, Connor O’Hallaron and Nicky Green, 1 st 18 – 30 team martin McGarry, Francis McDaid and Brian McKiernan and 1 st over 30s team Henry Griffin, Dierdrie Griffin and Mr Patterson.

Sunday saw members taken to the Lairds family home, Loch Head farm in Fife, where they had a full morning of viewing the Lochhead herd and viewing the pet crematorium that Billy also runs. Billy farms 400 acres and was very proud to show members his calves by Droit Brilliant. Members were treated to a display of birds of prey. A demonstration also took place by Teagle who had kindly sponsored part of the weekend whereby a demonstration of a straw chopper for members to view was given.

Members parted company in the afternoon in order to make their way in different directions. Alan Walker very kindly hosted the Northern Irish visitors at his farm in Mauchine, Ayreshire where he runs 50 commercial cattle with eight pedigree British Blondes known as the Glenniffer herd.

All the members who had taken part in the weekend thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of visiting farms that some had not visited before whilst some members enjoyed the opportunity to revisit also giving members the opportunity to meet new and old friends alike.

The Blonde society would like to thank all of the hosts that had made everyone so welcome and had gone to so much trouble to show us their herds, also to the Scottish club for hosting the weekend and for the particular hard work of Sheena Kennedy, Margaret Frame and Billy Laird for whom had all given so much time in making sure that members had a very enjoyable weekend.

Everyone would also like to thank the following for their generous sponsorship towards the weekend.

Teagle , Lawrie & Symington , LS Smellie & Sons , Soil Fertility Dunns (Origin Fertilisers ( UK) Ltd.

JT & C Owen Feeds , Scotmin Nutrition , Galloway & MacLeod , Fullwood Dairy Ltd. and

Avondale Veterinary

GALA TRACTOR RIDE