58 FIELD AND FERN. 



critics seem to hold the balance very equitably 

 between the Highland and Lowland flocks. On 

 the west coast of Sutherland they are all wedder 

 farmers; and Patrick Sellar of Strathnaver (who 

 has now the farm in Lewes, which Wattie Scott 

 held for nineteen years), Patterson of Mellness 

 and Bighouse, Clarke of Eribol, Gunn of Glendhu, 

 Clarke of Stronchrabie, John Scobie of Lochin- 

 ver, M'Kay of Kinlochbervie, Heed of Balnakeil, 

 and Sangster of Coignafern make up a strong 

 bede-roll. On the east coast, the ewe and wedder 

 farmers are nearly equal in strength. John Hall of 

 Seibers Cross, Reed of that pleasant spot down Strath 

 Brora, which the gods call Kilcalmkill and men 

 Gordon Bush, Houstoun of Kintradwell, Marcus 

 Gunn of Kilgower, Murray of Kirkton (whose ewe 

 draft goes annually to the Royal Home Farm), 

 Andrew Hall of Blairich, and Had win of Kildonan 

 keep wedders; while Dudgeon of Crakaig, Hill of 

 Navidale, Rutherford of Kildonan, George Ross of 

 Torboll, Barclay of Davochbeg, and Major Weston 

 of Morvich have ewe farms, and sell their wedder 

 lambs. 



The East Sutherland Farmers' Club holds its show 

 at Golspie for sheep, West Highland cattle, ponies, 

 and pigs ; and the men of the West decide their 

 wager of battle at Aultnaharrow. The combined 

 county show is at Lairg, where a silver medal is given 

 by the Highland Society, open to proprietors, factors, 

 and farmers, for tups which have won a prize at a 



