Averages improved by just shy of £170 per head on the year at Dingwall and Highland Marts' annual show and sale of North Country Cheviot rams where prices peaked at £6500 on three occasions.

Overall, 612 rams averaged £748.02, against £578.48 for 623 at the same sale last year.

Champion was this two shear ram from J F Irving, Mountbenger, Yarrow, which made £4000

Champion was this two shear ram from J F Irving, Mountbenger, Yarrow, which made £4000

Breed president Melwyn Williams of the Pengroes flock in Wales, was the pre-sale show judge and found his champion in a two-shear ram from George Irving, Mountbenger, Yarrow, which later sold for £4000 to Scott Renwick, Inverbroom, Ullapool.

The reserve, a three-shear Badanloch-bred ram from Hughie Mackenzie of Badanloch Estate, Kinbrace, made £6500 when selling to Gillespie Farms.

The first prize shearling ram from the Inkstack team of Red Robertson and Micheal Kirk also made £6500 when selling to Messrs Willbank, Dumfries.

Roderick and Lewis Runciman's unshown two-shear ram from Allanshaws, Galashiels, matched that price when purchased by Messrs Forrester Ardnacross.

Four-shear rams peaked at £2800 from Balnakeil.

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Other Leading Prices

Shearling rams – Inkstack, £3000, £1800, (x2), £1100; Backakelday, Holm, £1700, £1300, £1200, £1000; Bardnaclavan, Thurso, £1600, £1100, £1000; Shieldaig, Strathcarron, £1400; Kinaldy Farm, St Andrews, £1300, £1000; Garth, South Ronaldsay, £1000; Kelsocleugh, Kelso, £1000; Langdale, Strathnaver, £1000.

Two-shear rams – Inverbroom, £5500; Clachan Farm, £5000; Allanshaws, £4200, £1000; Mountbenger, Yarrow, £4000; Bowmont Farming, £3000; Ose Farm, Struan, £2800, (x2); Castle Grant Home Farm, Grantown-on-Spey, £2800; Keppoch, Dundonnell, £2200; Mill House, Stainland, £2200; Brachmont, £2200; Kintail, Newton of Ferintosh, £2000; Eribol Estate, £1900; Coul Estate, £1800; 186 Migdale, £1800.

Three-shear rams – Badanloch, £3200, 2800 (x2), £2600, £2500, £1500; Gesto Farm, £1100, £1000; Torrish £1100; Keoldale Sheep Stock Club, £1000.

Aged rams – Woodside Farm, £1500; Mountbenger, £1300; Gesto Farm, £900; Thistle House Croft, £800; Garth, £800.

Farm (No) Top (£) Average (£)

Allanshaws (6) 6500 2566.67

Badanloch (10) 6500 2380.00

Mountbenger (4) 4000 2000.00

Castle Grant (4) 2800 1750.00

Ose Farm (10) 2800 1390.00

Balnakeil (3) 2800 1366.67

Inverbroom (13) 5500 1330.77

Inkstack (17) 6500 1294.12

East Brachmont (6) 2000 1266.67

Attonburn (9) 3000 1255.56

Clachan (9) 5000 1244.44

Mill House (3) 2200 1133.33

Armadale (4) 1400 1100.00

186 Migdale (8) 1800 1087.50

Bardnaclavan (6) 1600 1016.67

Eribol Estate (8) 1900 1012.50

Clachan (12) 1500 1008.33

Backakelday (8) 1700 1000.00

Kintail (7) 2000 971.43

Thistle House (5) 1400 960.00

East Lodge (3) 1300 900.00

Tote House (4) 1000 900.00

12 Bualnaluib (5) 1200 900.00

Catslackburn (4) 1400 875.00

Dalrachie (3) 1000 866.67

Rhinamain (6) 1300 866.67

Garth (3) 1000 866.67

Pat Wilson Farms (4) 1200 850.00

Kinaldy (5) 1300 820.00

Stouphill (6) 1000 800.00

Dorrery (3) 1200 800.00