Entries from the Derg flock provided much of the heat at the Festive Fireworks show and sale of in-lamb Blue Texel females, at Carlisle, producing top sales of 5000gns, 3800gns and 3300gns.

Samantha Allen and Allen Short of the Derg flock from Strabane, Northern Ireland, first produced the pre-sale champion with the gimmer, Derg Faye, which went on to make the top price of 5000gns selling to Messrs Millen, Coleraine, Londonderry. For their money, they got a daughter of Sunnybank Escobar, a tup bought here for 5000gns that has bred progeny to 4000gns. The dam, Cleenagh Cornflake, was purchased three years ago here for 1800gns. Adding to her future potential, she sold carrying a pair of lambs to Matts Firetrap, a 5000gns purchase.

The pen leader, Derg Frankie, made 3800gns selling to Gareth Lee, Four Roads, Kidwelly. A daughter of the privately purchased, Belli Blues Euphoric, bred from Derg Dakota, which goes back to Saltire Blue Caveman, she also sold due to Firetrap

The Scottish Farmer: Derg Frankie made 3800gns Derg Frankie made 3800gns

The same buyer then gave 2400gns for Derg Flame, another gimmer by the same sire, out of a Cleenagh-bred ewe, and scanned a pair to Matts Firetrap.

Another from the same pen, Mullagheem Fantasy, a bought in gimmer made 3300gns. Purchased last year, she is by Derg Dictator, out of a Glengoyne dam, and again sold due with a pair to Firetrap. She headed home with Henry Jewitt, Barnard Castle.

Out with the Derg consignment, prices peaked at 3500gns for the similarly aged, Stephick Fantastic, from Stephanie Dick, Westerton, Stirling. Full sister to this year’s reserve champion at the Great Yorkshire Show, being another daughter of Belli Blues Euphoric, and bred from Derg Dior, she was knocked down to Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford. Fantastic sold carrying triplets to Cyllnwyn Golden Boy, a 2500gns purchase, shared with Glenrock.

The Scottish Farmer: The best from Steph Dick realised 3500gns The best from Steph Dick realised 3500gns

Topping the ewe trade at 3000gns was Shatonhill Eye Opener from Robert and Jim Hamilton, Mid Shawtonhill, Chapelton, Strathaven. This 2020-born in lamb entry is by Dragon Dominator, bred from a Hackney ewe which goes back to Joe’s Alvin and sold to Welsh breeders, Messrs Jones, Gwyndd.

Aberdeenshire breeders, Gordon and Penny Troup, Shaggart, Inverurie, went to 2600gns for a Glengoyne gimmer from Rachel Almond, Cornacrea, Kinawley, Co Fermanagh. A daughter of Cleenagh Bob The Builder she is bred from Cleenagh Adorable, and in lamb to Drumard Ed.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

averages: 17 ewes, £830.73 (-£424.50 for six more); 83 gimmers, £1067.08 (-£393.31 for 12 more); 22 ewe lambs, £520.70 (-£451.30 for 13 fewer)