A steady run with good lines put Neil Sutherland and Cefneithin Spot well ahead of the field at Achunabust, with the also rans trailing far behind them.

Spot (DK Evans’ Red Spot, SC Jones’ Bodtigir Jan) kept his sheep on line as he navigated the fetch and the drive, which came off well, and although the pen was a long, hard struggle, such was the standard of his work that a good shed completed the winning run with a 15point lead over the field.

Fraser Shennan’s mother and son team, Belle and Fred took the top places at Doon Valley with two very different runs.

Belle (F Shennan’s Spot, J Shennan’s Rose) worked well with no major faults and her good lines produced the best fetch of the day. The pen took a little work, but she put her sheep in without a break and although the gimmers were unsettled at the shed, when Fraser saw a break, he called Belle in to set the seal on her winning run.

Fred (E Gray’s Reiver Gray, F Shennan’s Belle) responded to Fraser’s redirection whistle on his outrun, and worked well on the course with only minor wavers of lines. Where others struggled, Fred’s clean pen and shed elevated his run and made him runner up to his illustrious dam.

Wullie J Welsh’s Heyshaw Fletch (C Mellin’s Moorlodge Ben, P Simpson’s Gillieglen Mist) topped Blackaddie.

Although Fletch overshot his sheep a little, he lifted cleanly and made good work of fetching the sheep to Wullie. He kept them under very good control on the drive, with straight lines and good turns. Once he had them under control at the pen, that went well and a good shed completed the winning run with the top six dogs within two points of each other.

Leading Awards

West Sandwick, Shetland (Judge: J Thomason, Fetlar). Open – 29 ran – 1, B Smith’s Jack, Dunrossness, 91/100; 2, D Murray’s Jill, North Roe, 87; 3, J Ramsay’s Lyn, Ollaberry, 83 outbye; 4, AWP Hughson’s Nortrow Lol, Girlsta, 83; 5, C Williamson’s Moss, Ollaberry, 81; 6, C Williamson’s Sweep, Ollaberry, 75. Championship 1, C Williamson’s Sweep, Ollaberry, 98/110; 2, D Murray’s Jill, North Roe, 96. Limit – Five ran – 1, B Smith’s Stig, Dunrossness, 55 /60; 2, D Kinloch’s Jock, Kilsyth, 72 outbye; 3, Y Mouat’s Vicky, Yell, 33.

Doon Valley (Judge: C Davidson, Sandbank). Open – 63 ran – 1, F Shennan’s Belle, Barr, 90; 2, F Shennan’s Fred, Barr, 87; 3, M Young’s Jess, Stranraer, 85 outbye; 4, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 85; 5, I Lockhart’s Roy, Carsphairn, 82 outbye; 6, A Dawidowicz’s Roy, Dunsyre, 82; 7, AR Mundell’s Rob, Moffat, 81; 8, T Blacklock’s Holestone Del, Kirkconnell, 80.

Blackaddie (Judge: M McTeir, Moniaive). Open – 61 ran – 1, WJ Welsh’s Heyshaw Fletch, Sanquhar, 85; 2, C Byrne’s Tess, Garpel, 84 outbye; 3, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 84 outbye; 4, F Shennan’s Belle, Barr, 84; 5, J Paterson’s Scalpsie Roy, Kirkcowan, 84; 6, AR Mundell’s Yitte, Moffat, 83; £1050 raised for 2025 Scottish National.

Achunabust, Reay (Judge: G Cormack, Dunnet). Open –32 ran – 1, N Sutherland’s Cefneithin Spot, Strathnaver, 83; 2, M Sutherland’s Missy, Halkirk, 68; 3, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 67; 4, M Sutherland’s Jen, Halkirk, 64; 5, J MacKenzie’s Venna, Strathnaver, 56; 6, D Worthington’s Ace, Skarfskerry, 54. Novice –1, M Findlay’s Beau, Melvich.