A flying trade for Blackface rams at United Auctions' Stirling sale saw a new centre record price of £60,000, which coupled with a strong commercial demand resulted in shearling ram averages up £272 on the year at £1393 for 587.

Sale leader was a massive south-type ram from Willie and Ewan Bennie's Merkins consignment from Gartocharn. A son of a £70,000 Dalchirla shearling bought at Dalmally in 2022, he sold in a four-way split to Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside, Lammington; John and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock; Jimmy Wallace, Fingland and the Ramsays, Milnmark, both Dalry, Castle Douglas.

Second top price was £11,000 paid for a son of a £4000 Craigdarroch, from Alan Smith, Wester Crosswoodhill, West Calder, which sold in a two-way split to A and J Macpherson, Abersky, Dores, Invernesshire and A MacDonald, Ess and Dalbuiack, Carrbridge.

Donald and Jimmy MacGregor's Dyke pen from Milton of Campsie, sold the first five-figure shearling at £10,000, to Colin McClymont, Cuil, Palnure, Newton Stewart and Rob Hannah, High Balyett, Stranraer. He is sired by a £12,000 Dyke sold in 2021.

Not long after, Willie Dunlop and sons Quintin and William, Elmscleugh, Innerwick, Dunbar, took the same money for a son of a £125,000 Nunnerie, from Gerard McGinn, Chirmorrie, Barrhill, Girvan.

North-type ram peaked at £8000 from Matthew Hamilton and son Matthew, Woolfords, West Calder, purchased by Robert and Mairi Paterson, Craigneich, Comrie. He is sired by last year's £20,000 Woolfords ram which was used at home as a lamb.

Overall, 593 south-type shearling rams averaged, £1393 (+£272 for six fewer); 114 south-typ ram lambs levelled at £936 (-£19 for three more sold); 152 north-types shearling rams, £1064 (-£179 for four fewer); north-type ram lambs averaged, £716 (-£496 for one less).

Auctioneers: United Auctions