Major David Finlayson Wylie Hill Walter honoured

A capacity crowd including Charolais breeders from all over the United Kingdom attended Major David Walter’s funeral and thanksgiving service at Perth Cathedral.

Commonly known as ‘The Major’, David died just after his 90th birthday having fought a courageous battle against cancer.

His first career was as an officer in the Scots Guards where he saw service in The Suez Canal zone and Kenya. After the army he took to ‘the city’ where he eventually became a partner in Fielding and Newson, a well-known stock broking company.

He took over the running of the 1700 acre Balthayock Estate in the mid 1960’s, his family having owned it since 1897.

David entered his new farming career with his usual gusto and energy and continued to run the operation until his death.

He introduced Charolais cattle to Balthayock in 1969 with the purchase of HenhamLodge Empereour for the sum of 5700 gns. This was followed by the importation of 12 pure heifers from leading French herds.

David and the Balthayock team worked hard at developing the herd into one of the most successful in the country regularly achieving high averages at the Society sales at Perth and Stirling. The herd presently stands at over 100 pure cows.

The focus of the Balthayock herd were the production of easy calving, high performance bulls for top commercial and pedigree breeders.

David Walter was a pioneer of Breedplans EBV system. His Balthayock cattle were consistently amongst the highest indexed cattle of the breed.

The Major enjoyed many successful bull sales. One definite highlight was achieving the top price of 50,000gns at the Stirling Bull sales in 2015 for Balthayock Justice which was junior and reserve overall champion on the day.

Stirling Bull sales 2018 was another ‘red letter’ day for the herd when Balthayock Minstrel was overall champion and sold for 46,000gns. That day Balthayock bulls averaged a staggering £15,633 for nine bulls which is still an all breed record.

The herd supported many national and local shows with great success. 2015 saw Balthayock Imp winning the breed championship at the Royal Highland Show.

Balthayock Nessie gave David one of his greatest show successes when she was made breed champion and overall champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2019.

In 2019 the herd celebrated 50 years of Charolais at Balthayock. This was a very special event with over 500 visitors being treated to a spectacular show of cattle and given a magnificent lunch. The herd also hosted the Charolais World conference in 2012.

David’s contribution to the cattle breeding industry was recognised when he was awarded the prestigious Sir William Young award by the RHASS.

David served as both chairman and president of the British Charolais Cattle Society. Although best known for his pure cattle, he was equally keen on his commercial suckler herd and his high performing sheep flock.

The Major was very proud of his farm and estate staff. The Campbell family have been at Balthayock since 1897 and have given terrific service to David and his family. Hector and Alan Campbell continue the family connection and are both engaged on the farm. When John and Joan Campbell retired 15 years ago, Tracey and Davie Nicoll took over the management and more recently Barrie Douglas was appointed head shepherd. David was highly respected as an employer by his team.

Outwith the farm, David had many interests. He was a true countryman and did much to encourage wildlife on the farm especially his beloved Red Squirrels which he had a real passion for.

He was a renowned polo player, a very keen and competent sailor, an excellent shot. He was also a formidable boxer and played cricket in his younger day.

He had a strong sense of social responsibility and supported many charitable organisations. He was one of the pillars of the local church which he attended every Sunday.

The Major will be hugely missed, he was a larger than life character who inspired so many people by the example he set.

Our condolences go to Lady Sarah, David’s wife of over 53 years, to his sons Nick and James and to all at Balthayock.