Highlanders peak at 14,000gns in Oban

European eyes were smiling on the Highland cattle breed’s annual show in Oban with strong demand from continental buyers ensuring a near clearance.

Just six of the 120 entered were unsold. A third of the animals bought went to Estonia, Denmark, Germany and Italy.

 

The prices paid astounded sale goers as the entry was far from vintage. Pre-sale judge Archie McIntyre, of Ayr, had branded many of the cattle mediocre.

 

German Highland breeder Falko Steinberg paid the top price of 14,000gns for the pre-sale male champion, Lasgaire of Roisbheinn, a two-year-old bull by by Ninian of Benmeanach and out of Sorcha Beg of Roisbheinn.

He was consigned by Alan and Mary-Anne Blackburn, of Braecock Mill, Caputh, Dunkeld, Perthshire. They have been breeding Highlanders for 14 years and have just four cows in their fold. They are to use the cash to buy a new tractor.

 

Mr Steinberg has attended sales in Oban for 20 years, but left the bidding to Archie McArthur, of Ormsary Estate, Lochgilphead, Argyll, this time around as he was on holiday in Grenada.

 

Estonia’s Ou Ranna-Villa Highland Cattle Farm at Saaramaa then paid 6200gns for the reserve male champion, Fergus Ruadh 2 of Knockendon, a May, 2006, son of Romach Rob of Torloisk and out of Diorbhail of Oliver, from Ronald and Frances Fergie, of Knockendon, Dalry, Ayrshire.

 

Cattle farm manager Kairo Pilviste said the unit had 32 Highlanders and been breeding them for 30 months. He was making his first visit to Oban. He had hope to take his purchases home immediately after the sale and bought a trailer on the way to the UK. His hopes were, however, dashed by European movement rules.

 

Tom Nelson’s Glengorm Estate on the island of Mull paid 5800gns for Achadh Chuilter of Ormsary, a 22-month-old bull by Hamish Mhor 2 of Callachally and out of Eva 19 of Ormsary, from Sir William Lithgow, of Ormsary.

 

Jim and Moira McConachie, of Culfoichmore, Grantown-on-Spey, received 5600gns for Gaisgeach 1 of Culfoich, a 25-month-old bull by the 4200gns Donnachadh Ruadh 1 of West Merkland and out of Ochre of Culfoich. Buyer of Gaisgeach, the reserve two-year-old bull, was Will Davies, of Gwrhyduchaf Farm, Rhiwfawr, Swansea.

 

 David Dickson, of Hamilton Hall, West Linton, Peebles, bought at  5000gns  Ruairidh of Mottistone, a March, 2006, son of Ruaridh of Glengarnock and out of Eiteag 21 of Dibden, from  Michael Poland, of Lower Preshaw House, Upham, Southampton, and who farms on the Isle of Wight.

 

At 4000gns  Jeremy Garrett-Cox bought Coirneal 3 of Lagg, a 22-month-old bull by Philip 1st of Tullach and out of Aillbhe 2nd of Lagg, from Connie Lawrie, of Savalbeg, Lairg, Sutherland. Mr Garrett-Cox is based at Edzell in Angus and is setting up a new fold. His wife, Catherine, is the chief executive of the Alliance Trust, the Dundee-based asset manager.

 

Glengorm Estate regained some cash as it sold at 3600gns Skean Dubh 2 of Mosscairn, a black-coated March, 2006, son of Angus Dubh of Invercassley,  to Frank Carr, of Skipton, Yorkshire.

 

Lady Lithgow bought for her fold on Jura at 3500gns the black Lochlan of Sorne, a March, 2006, son of Coinneach of Borland, from Ken Headspeath, of 25 Morrison Street, Kirriemuir.

 

Haydn Garton, of The New Farmhouse, Ardormie, Alyth, received 3000gns from R. MacLean, of Corntown, Conon Bridge, for Stuart of Lyntoun, a January 2006 son of Angus of Rashiehall.

 

There were two deals for females at 3000gns. The first was by Italian breeder Lorenz Muller who bought  the reserve female champion, Mairi 1 of Culfoich, a March, 2006, daughter of Cuairtear of Balmoral, from the McConachies.

Mr Davies then acquired Banarach 1 of Culfoich, a two-year-old heifer, also from the McConachies.

 

Averages: 32 bulls £2469.24, 80 heifers £885.54. (Caledonian Marts, Stirling)