66 IMPROVEMENT OF THE BREED. 



Earl of Aberdeen ; Mr P. Davidson of Inchmarlo ; Mr 

 Eeid, Baads ; the late Mr M'Combie, Cairnballoch ; Mr 

 Hunter, Confunderland ; Mr P. Cran, Old Morlich, &c. 



The contiguous counties of Banff and Moray have in 

 no small degree contributed to the improvement of the 

 polled Aberdeen or Angus breed. In fact, the premier polled 

 herd of the present day— that belonging to Sir George 

 Macpherson Grant, Bart, of Ballindalloch, M.P. — has its 

 home on the borders of these two counties, near the 

 junction of the rivers Spey and Aven. The origin of 

 the Ballindalloch herd has been lost in the mists of anti- 

 quity. Of its early history nothing more definite is 

 known than that (as described by Mr M'Combie) it is 

 " perhaps the oldest in the north," and that it has been 

 " the talk of the country " for very many years. The 

 present Baronet is an enthusiastic and accomplished 

 breeder. For many years he has given close personal 

 attention to the management of his large and valuable 

 herd, and the success achieved by him has been so remark- 

 able that we believe no one will dispute the title of the 

 Ballindalloch herd to the premier position, which, since 

 the dispersion of the Tillyfour herd in 1880, has been 

 generally assigned to it. The influence which the Ball- 

 indalloch herd has exercised in the improvement of other 

 stocks could hardly be overestimated. Sir George has 

 been specially successful in the rearing of bulls ; and these 

 have been eagerly sought after by breeders throughout 

 the country, in whose herds they have given undeniable 

 testimony of their choice breeding. In a word, the fame 

 of the Ballindalloch herd is equally great in the breeding 

 paddock, the show-yard, and the sale-ring ; and this is 

 probably the highest tribute that could be bestowed upon 

 any herd. The other leading improvers of polled cattle 

 in Banff and Moray have been the late Mr George Brown, 

 Westertown ; the late Mr Robert Walker, Montbletton ; 

 the late Mr Morison of Bognie ; the Earl of Fife ; Mr W. 



