A flying trade for Blackface ram lambs at Lanark saw averages soar by more than £3100 to level at £7938 for 98.

Such was the demand for the top end of lambs boasting superior breed character and good coats that two lambs sold at £65,000; three made £60,000 and another hit £55,000.

First to hit £65,000 was the pen leader from John Murray's Crossflatt consignment from Muirkirk. He is by a Titan, a home-bred son of the £160,000 Dyke retained for breeding and was knocked down to in a three-way split selling to Donald and Jimmy MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie; Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk, with Crossflatt buying a third share.

Titan was also the sire of £60,000 and £40,000 lambs from Crossflatt who sold seven lambs to average a colossal £22,314. The dearest which is a twin brother to the first lamb was purchased jointly by Ian Campbell, Glenrath, Peebles and Willie Dunlop and sons Quintin and William, Elmscleugh, Innerwick, Dunbar.

The £40,000 lamb sold to a quartet of breeders to include Eoin and Kirstyn Blackwood, Dalblair, and the Dunlops, Upper Wellwood, both Muirkirk; Donald McVicar, Lephinchapel, Strachur and Colm McAteer, Drumboy.

Later in the day Auldhouseburn matched the £65,000 sale selling a son of an £18,000 Craignell lamb bought last year at Ayr. The buyers were Aberuchill Estate, Comrie, managed by Craig Paterson; Jim and Fiona Burns, Craignell, New Galloway; Richard Colley, Mitchellslacks, Thornhill, Dumfries; Thomas Muirhead, Orchilmore, Comrie with the Blackwoods retaining an equal share.

The Wights of Midlock, Crawford, sold two at £60,000, with the first being a son the Emperor, a home-bred son of a £30,000 Crossflatt retained for breeding, purchased by Elmscleugh, Glenrath and Auldhouseburn.

The second, by a £26,000 Gass shearling bought last year was chapped down to Crossflatt; Andrew Kay and sons Robert and Andrew, Gass, Straiton and Andrew and Ian Cullens, Dollarbank, Dollar. Midlock sold seven lambs to average £22,314.

Just behind, on £55,000, Dyke sold a son of their own £160,000 Dyke lamb sold in 2022, to Auldhouseburn.

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer