FIRST SHOVr AT INVERNESS, 1 83 I. 20/ 



appearance of the Galloways at Inverness in this year shows 

 that the stock was only in very few hands in the north of 

 Scotland. 



As we have said, the main feature of the show was the 

 Highland stock. Of this breed there were five bulls. The 

 first prize was awarded to John Campbell, Ballachroan, 

 Inverness ; and the second to Thomas Mackenzie of Apple- 

 cross, for a bull bred by Mr M'Donald of Scalpay. Of 

 Highland cows there were fourteen entries. It was no slight 

 honour in so large a competition that the prize should have 

 been Avon by the Duke of Gordon, for an animal bred at 

 Gordon Castle. Of pairs of three-year-old heifers, there 

 were eight entries. The prize went to Earl Gower, A\ho 

 also won the prize in the class of two-year-old heifers, in 

 which there were seven entries. The animals in both these 

 classes are described as displa}-ing uncommon symmetry, 

 and giving evidence of high breeding. Of pairs of oxen 

 between five and six years, there were four entries, the prize 

 going to Sir Neil Menzies of Menzies, Bart. In the class 

 of oxen between two and three years old, there were eight 

 entries, the prize falling to the Marquis of Stafford, for a 

 pair bred at Dunrobin, which the judges pronounced to be 

 particularly fine. Earl Gower carried the prize for the best 

 pair of, oxen which had never been housed, and the Marquis 

 of Stafford won the prize for the best six West Highland 

 stirks not exceeding twenty-one months. This class was 

 very good, there being six entries, and the prize lot are 

 described as very fine for their age. It may be said, 

 indeed, that the whole of the Highland breed of cattle were 

 of an excellent description, the judges expressing them- 

 selves in terms of the highest gratification, and stating 

 ' that on no occasion as a whole had they ever inspected so 

 many fine animals of the same breed.' 



The Society expected that at Inverness they would 

 have a large show of sheep. In this anticipation they 

 were disappointed. Full premiums were offered for black- 

 faced sheep, but the entries were ver}- scanty. Only three 

 entries were made of tups, one of ewes (which did not 

 appear), and three of gimmers. Mr Macpherson of 



