Scotland has lost one of its most loved, determined and enthusiastic sheep breeders in Annie Hutchon, who passed away after fighting ill health for decades.

Annie loved her husband William, the dogs, and the cat and she relished being amongst people of all ages for a good blether or to sort out the sheep world. She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone.

She was famous for her hospitality at shows and sales, turning up with several different batches of biscuits, strawberry tarts, her famous lemon crunch and cakes. She could turn round full evening meals for visitors in the caravan or at home at the drop of a hat.

An amazing lady who fought illness for a very long time with fortitude, bravery, and even with a smile, she took so much in her stride. She just wanted to live life to the full with her husband William, despite at times being in severe pain and suffering.

Their famous caravan or 'Aladdin’s cave' which travelled with them to shows and sales was always bedecked with food and drink. Supper, breakfast or just a fly half – Annie could not do enough for people from home bakes to full roast dinners along with best of William's home-grown vegetables.

Such was the hospitality that anyone ensconced in the Hutchon caravan at the Royal Highland Show, or at various breed sales, could be six/seven hours enjoying the craic, before they left well into the wee hours of the next day.

Annie’s other great love was Ireland – two things Balmoral Show and Tom Bailey's annual sale. She was renowned for keeping everyone on their toes at Tom’s sale and for being able to dance David Leggat off his feet. Annie was still going strong well into the evening with the said, David found sound asleep in the corner – Annie had indeed been too much for him.

She also loved Balmoral Show for the sheep first and foremost but also for the great people and friends she met and caught up with there on her annual trip, which for Annie was more like a pilgrimage. She looked forward to it so much that one year, when she was running a bit late and got in the car early morning to go to Edinburgh airport, she was pulled over by the police and asked the famous question, 'what’s all the hurry?' To which she replied with her cheeky smile to the officer, that she was late for a flight and was heading to the Balmoral Show in Ireland.

Needless to say, she got off scot-free with the policeman's words ringing in her ears: “Well steady up or you won’t see the flight or Balmoral Show.” She made it for the flight and to Balmoral!

Annie and William were also passionate about Suffolk sheep and in 1980 established the Evandale flock with five ewes – two of which came from the Joyfield flock of Jimmy Mackenzie.

Hugh Allan of Parkhouse came to inspect them in the early years and get them into the Suffolk Sheep Society and gave them some initial help to get going.

They became great friends with so many breeders over the years but in particular with Jimmy Douglas and Sam Forrest. The highlight for Annie and Willie came in 2005 when they not only won the Royal Highland Show with their ewe but also then went on to win the inter-breed pairs along with the male champion that year from John Sinnett.

Great supporters of all the local shows, they won lots of rosettes over the years with their Suffolks and Annie was also noted for her judging capabilities ably assisted by Willie. However, in 2008, Annie wasn’t keeping to well and the decision was made to disperse the flock for health reasons.

As always, Annie recovered, got her energy back and to cheer her up, Willie got her another Suffolk ewe in 2011, from Cairness, and the Greatness flock was established.

Annie was delighted to be back breeding Suffolk sheep with her usual passion and enthusiasm to see what the next lamb born might turn out to be which undoubtedly helped keep her going.

Her many other skills included writing up catalogues at the main breed sales and sending them onto various people with the prices and her wee comments beside them, which were often the best bits!

Annie loved a blether on the phone but the best thing for Annie and Willie was to see folk particularly at Maulscastle where they lived together for 27years. They not only hosted folk but also folk’s sheep whether it was after sales, before sales or ready to go for export.

Jimmy Douglas was one of those who was always grateful for their help. Any sheep left there were treated like royalty until moved on. To say Annie and Willie were generous would be an understatement.

Annie was also a registrar and benefited many with her sheer professionalism in marrying them with good taste and humour but also with a serious side to remind them of what they were about to do. She was a class act when performing marriage ceremonies and had everything organised right down to the final detail.

There was also huge sincerity behind Annie and Willie's marriage with the couple celebrating their golden wedding and a wonderful life together in November 2018 – despite what life continued to throw at them health wise .

Annie will be missed by all but particularly Willie for her cheeky smile, her laughter, her sense of fun and the way she lived life to the full and took everything in her stride regardless of her ill health.