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31st. August 2007

Jock Sutherland from Durness was in action with his dog Maid who at nearly 11 years old was the oldest dog in the Scottish National Sheep Dog Trials which took place in Fearn near Tain Ross-shire over three days last week. They have won a place in the Scottish National team and Jock and Maid will now go on to compete as part of the Scottish team in the International Sheep Dog Trials in County Kilkenny, Ireland in September.

Jock 45 years old has been trialling for 25 years and has worked at Keoldale Farm Durness for 15 years and has been farm manager for 12 years. He has had Maid since she was nine months old, her parental line dam J. Purdies Jan and sire S.l. Davidsons Craig. They have won and been placed in many trials, won the Durness Open on Jock’s home ground in 2005 and the local many times. Maid’s favourite trials are hill trials winning the Drynie Double lift hill trial, driving champion twice in Benache, and many county prizes. Maid and her kennel mate Nell won the brace in Lochbroom three weeks ago. This is the first time Jock has qualified for the national team and is delighted that he has accomplished this with Maid, she will be the oldest dog in the Scotland team and Maid will retire at the end of the year. The Durness sheepdog trials will be held on the 29th September at Keodale Farm where more of the team are likely to be taking part, Willie Cormack from Caithness, Michael Shearer Caithness with 2 dogs, Ewan Mackinnon Lochcarron and Ian Wilkie Inverurie.