Bute Vintage Club’s Ninth Vintage Ploughing Match and Rally took place at Adroscadale Farm, [by kind permission of Mr & Mrs D McAlister], on Saturday 17th Oct., The weather was sunny and warm, after the summer monsoon season. Forty-three tractors and four pairs of Clydesdales competitors contested seven ploughing classes.

Mr A Ronald, Campbeltown and Mr R Douglas, Jedburgh, had the difficult task of judging the many excellent plots of ploughing. For the first time since 2001 a local ploughman, Alex Robertson, Ballycurrie was the best overall ploughman, and winner of the William Somerville Memorial Trophy, kindly donated by Mr J Somerville. A new shield was presented by the family of the late Bill Davies, a longtime supporter of ploughing events in Bute, for the best trailing plough, confined to Bute. Bill Davies’ grandson and two great grand daughters were on hand to present the shield to the first winner,  RW Crawford, Stuck.

Club Secretary, Robert McKirdy said ”we would like to thank the competitors, spectators, the sponsors  and  Mr & Mrs D McAlister for the use of the field, for their contribution to the success of the day”.

Mrs Lynsey Speirs, wife of the Chairman presented the cups, awards and raffle prizes at the end of the event. Vice Chairman , Ian Crawford closed the day’s proceedings with a comprehensive vote of thanks.

TROPHY  WINNERS

The William Somerville Memorial Trophy for the best overall ploughman - Alex Robertson, Ballycurrie
The Hamilton Bros Trophy for best work by Grey Ferguson plus Ferguson Plough - Ian Livingstone, Acholter
The Kingarth Hotel Cup for best work by a Trailing  Plough - David Kirkpatrick, Dumfries
The Kingarth and Kilchattan Bay Improvements Society Trophy for best work by General Purpose plough
                                                                           - James McIndoe, Broxburn
The Dumfries Trophy for the best work by a Bute ploughman - Alex Robertson, Ballycurrie
The Bute Tools Trophy for best Bute tractor - William McMillan, Cranslaloan
Bill Davies Memorial Shield – Best work by trailing plough confined to Bute - RW Crawford, Stuck.

SPECIAL PRIZES

Best lot by mainland competitor - James McIndoe, Broxburn
Best start - Bryan Liddle, Dunallan
Best finish - Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan
Best lot by Bute Competitor, 1st  A. Roberstson, Ballycurrie;
                                            2nd T McMillan, Eskechraggan; 3rd R Robertson, Ballianlay Schoolhouse
Best ploughed plot by Horse - Neil MacPhail, Campbeltown
Oldest Competitor - John Foley, Hamilton
Youngest competitor - Willie McHarrie, Stranraer

CLASS RESULTS

Horse Plough
1st N MacPhail, Campbeltown; 2nd G Robertson, Kilwinning; 3rd J McMillan, Little Barone

Trailing Plough
1st D Kirkpatrick, Dumfries; 2nd RW Crawford, Stuck; 3rd D Whitelaw, Langalchorad

General Purpose (plough 10” and under)
1st J McIndoe, Broxburn;  2nd  D Veitch, Kinross; 3rd A Murray, Rothesay; 4th A Meikle, Darvel

General Purpose (plough over 10”)
1st T McMillan, Eskechraggan; 2nd R Robertson, Ballianlay Schoolhouse; 3rd  B Liddell, Dunallan; 4th S Murray, Rothesay;
5th R McKechnie, Larkhall

1st  A Robertson Ballycurrie; 2nd D Anderson, Darvel; 3rd P Martin, Gallachan; 4th J McCormick, Appin

Single Furrow Plough
1st  R Copland, Dumfries; 2nd J Johnstone, Rothesay

Grey Ferguson double furrow Ferguson plough
1st  I Livingstone, Acholter; 2nd  G Reynolds, Adroscadale; 3rd  W McMillan, Cranslagvourity; 4th A Speirs, Rothesay
 
                                                                                                                    Please advise of any corrections  Or additional information

Selection of Photographs taken at the event are HERE