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Leading north agricultural figure visits county show for first time in 40 years





Willie Mackay with prizewinners at county show 2011
Willie Mackay with prizewinners at county show 2011

A leading north agricultural figure visited the Sutherland County Show on Saturday for the first time in 40 years.

Embo native Willie Mackay is well known throughout Caithness and Sutherland for his work with the AI Cattle Breeding Service which is based in Watten.

He began working with the service in 1971 when it was run by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board and took it over in 1985, becoming self-employed. His work has earned him the the nickname 'AI Willie.'

Mr Mackay is normally too busy over the summer months to take time out for Sutherland's premier agricultural event which this year celebrated its 60 anniversary.

However, he had a few spare hours to spare on Saturday and enjoyed a tour round the show, spending some time at the stock pens where he cast an expert eye on the quality of the cattle.

He said: “I decided I had to make a trip because it was the 60 anniversary. I found a wonderful show in a wonderful setting.

“The cattle lines were very secure and I found that Continental cattle had take over the scene, as is the case in most other agricultural shows.”

Mr Mackay (right) is pictured with some of the prize winners in the cattle sectionas they prepared to take part in the show's Grand Parade. From left to right Blair Dufftown, Huntly; John Smith, The Rowans, Golspie; Henry Sutherland, Golspie, and Rhuaridh Brown, Culbokie.


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