Based in the Highlands, Coul Estate is one of many cattle rearing units with entries heading to UA Stirling to compete in the much-anticipated calf show, Stars of the Future.
Located at Laggan near Newtonmore, Coul spans more than 9000 acres and is a mixed livestock and sporting enterprise.
“I started at Coul when Kevin and Sonya bought it seven years ago, prior to that I was working for them at Kinrara in Aviemore, so this year will be my 13th year working for them,” he said.
The general team on the estate consists of Allan, his wife Lorraine, and Sara Cheyne who has just finished studying rural business management at university in Aberdeen.
“We introduced Highland cattle in 2019 and we are bringing in more British Blue genetics. I currently run the commercial herd on a successful Bluegrass system by crossing the two breeds back and forth,” said Allan.
The cattle are bred to be sold as in-calf heifers at two years of age with the remainder kept as replacements.
With the estate being a mixed enterprise between livestock and game sport, a typical year at Coul can be varied.
Allan explains: “From January we are finishing the tail end of our pheasant and partridge season, along with hind stalking. We then move on to calving which starts in February, then onto lambing in April. In May we hold a charity shoot and then start with shearing and making silage.”
“We first started showing in 2022 when we did Black Isle, Turriff and Grantown.
“The following year we set our sights on the bigger events such as the Highland, the Yorkshire and the Royal Welsh. We also like to show at as many of the smaller shows as possible so it’s safe to say our summer is busy.”
“We had a good showing season with the Highlands. Our heifer Lady White 144 of Balmoral achieved championships at the Yorkshire, the Royal Welsh, Black Isle, Perth, Turriff and Grantown.”
Even when the summer is over, it doesn’t mark the end of showing for Coul, as they then start preparing for Stars of the Future in November. Allan also takes calves to Borderway Agri Expo and LiveScot.
Commenting on the event Allan said: “I’m most looking forward to seeing the other animals being shown. It’s a good way to gauge what standard our stock is at against our competitors. The sheer amount of breeds competing certainly makes the show quite a spectacle.
“It’s also a good time to get a catch up with all the friends you make over the show season too.”
Currently Allan has four calves going to the event hoping to take home a few prize winning rosettes.
“I’ve got two British Blue heifers going, Coul Blue TrickOrTreat and Coul Blue Tequila. Out of our bull calves we’ve got Coul Blue Universe and Coul Blue Underdog.”
This year marks the estate’s third foray in showing at Stars with last year being quite successful for the herd.
“Last November was only our second time at the event but we picked up a few rosettes and our young calves went on to do really well over the following summer show season. It’s a really good event for showcasing the future champions of the next year and it gives the calves a chance to being used to the halter.”
At present Allan is only showing British Blues at Stars of the Future with the hope to get a few Highlanders into action in the near future.
“I have some good stock in the Highland fold, so I would like to get some calves ready for it in the next few years.”
Looking to the future Allan is hoping to progress further with the cattle at Coul whilst still keeping busy with the work on the estate.
“Going forward I want to hopefully produce surplus pedigree stock that are capable of going on and doing well in other pedigree herds.
“I am lucky to work both in farming and on the estate which makes for a very busy lifestyle but it’s good to do something varied every month of the year. It helps keep everyday feeling fresh,” he said.
Stars of the Future calf show will take place at United Auctions, Stirling on Friday and Saturday November 8 and 9.
Farm Facts
Estate size and topography: Coul Estate spans over 9000 acres and sits at 800ft rising to 3000ft
Livestock: 20 pedigree British Blues, 15 pedigree Highland cattle alongside a commercial herd of 120, 350 North Country Cheviots.
The team: Estate manager Allan MacDiarmid Lorraine MacDiarmid, Sara Cheyne, and Mike Falconer.
2024 Show success: Great Yorkshire, Royal Welsh, Black Isle, Perth, Turriff and Grantown show Highland champion Lady White 144 of Balmoral.
On the spot
Favourite breed of cattle to work with? British Blues are my favourite cattle to work with.
Best thing about Stars of the Future? The amount of different breed categories at Stars makes for a great spectacle.
What’s one thing you can’t live without? Tea!
Favourite thing about farming the Highlands? The weather.
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