Blackfaces from Eoin and Kirstyn Blackwood, proved the star attraction at the in-lamb female sale at Lanark, securing two of the top three highest prices at 10,000gns and 6500gns.

The brother and sister duo who run 500 ewes in their Dalblair stud flock from Muirkirk, led the trade with a one-crop ewe by the home-bred Bodyguard, out of a ewe by the £52,000 Crossflatt. She sold scanned with twin lambs to the £85,000 Dalblair sold at Lanark, in October, to Dyke of which a half share was retained. The buyers were Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk.

Their No 2, a similarly aged ewe also by the Bodyguard, but bred from a ewe by an £11,000 Dyke, was knocked down to Brian and Christopher Curran of the Glackmore flock from Northern Ireland. She also sold due with a pair to the £85,000 Dalblair lamb.

Second top price was 8800gns paid for a two-crop ewe by a £30,000 Loughash from John and Patrick Harkin, Loughash, Northern Ireland. She is out of a ewe by a £24,000 Elmscleugh and sold having been flushed and in lamb carrying twins to the £20,000 Auldhouseburn. She sold in a two-way split to David Morrison, Dalwyne, Barr and Veronica and Patrick Fullerton, Draperstown, Northern Ireland.

Overall, 38 gimmers averaged £1494; 17 ewes, £2646, with the 55 females in total cashing in at £1850.86.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer on March 3.

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.