Oban Autumn Sale 2026

Society Sale
Written By Lynne Dickens

The Highland Cattle Society’s 129th Autumn Show and Sale brought breeders and enthusiasts together in Oban for the annual autumn fixture, with a strong sense of community and continued enthusiasm for the breed, despite a challenging year for many cattle keepers.

The pre-sale show was judged by Stuart Mackay of Achnacroish, who found his champion in Kerrie–Dileas of Balrownie, a February born 3 year-old heifer from Kevin Carnegie, Balrownie Farm, sired by Eoin Mhor 17th of Mottistone and out of Kerrie 3rd of Mottistone.

Supreme champion Kerrie-Dileas of Balrownie

Overall champion, Kerrie-Dileas of Balrownie

Presented by stockman Malcolm Macnaughton and led on the day by Lizzie Francis, she impressed the judge to take the championship amidst strong competition. In calf to Seumus Ruadh of Balrownie, she was subsequently offered for sale but failed to find a new home, returning to Brechin with her owner. Stuart’s reserve champion award went to Isabella of Ranch, owned by Graeme and Rebecca Easton. Homebred in March 2024, by Magnus of Earn and out of the prolific Claira of Ubhaidh, she was another quality female to represent the breed in the show ring, although she too failed to sell.

Reserve champion Isabella of Ranch

Reserve champion, Isabella of Ranch

The Young Handler classes provided an opportunity to celebrate the next generation of Highland cattle enthusiasts, with young participants demonstrating their confidence and cattle-handling skills. Eva Armstrong of Balemartine, Isle of Tiree, took the winner’s award, with Isla Hall of Gallabog, Inverurie, named runner-up. Their participation was an encouraging reminder of the importance of nurturing young talent and ensuring the future of the breed.

Young handler, Eva Armstrong with her highland cattle

Young handler winner, Eva Armstrong

A total of 68 cattle were entered, of which 61 were forward and 55 were sold. Entries were lower than in previous years, reflecting a number of factors affecting breeders across the country. Rising fuel costs, concerns surrounding Bluetongue and the uncertainty over potential movement restrictions at the close of entries, all contributed to a more cautious approach. In addition the prolonged hot dry summer has placed considerable pressure on many members, with some having to begin feeding cattle as early as May, adding significantly to the cost of keeping stock.

Despite these challenges, the sale saw some excellent cattle forward and continued to demonstrate the quality of Highland cattle being bred by Society members and the ongoing appeal of the breed in both pedigree and commercial units. The top price of the sale was 7,500 guineas, achieved by Alice 4th of Eilean Mor, a three-year-old in-calf heifer from Karen and Michael Macgregor. Fourth prize under judge Stuart Mackay in the show the previous day, she is sired by Harris of Balemartine and out of Iseabal of Eilean Mor she was sold, in-calf to Vital Spark of Shenavallie, to Peter Macqueen of the Cromore Fold in Oban.

Top price female, Alice 4th of Eilean Mor

Alice 4th of Eilean Mor, 7,500gns

The second-highest price of the sale, and the top price in the buoyant calf section, was achieved by the 7,000gns Ila Dhearg 3rd of Applecross, presented by The Applecross Trust. This March-born red calf had won her class in the show earlier, and caught the eye of Australian Paul Rees of Blasta Mhor Highland Cattle, providing a welcome international dimension to the day’s trading and highlighting the continued appeal of the breed beyond the UK.

Top calf in sale, Ila Dhearg 3rd of Applecross

Ila Dhearg 3rd of Applecross, 7,000gns

Another calf came next in the ratings with a January-born black, Lady Jane Dubh 3rd of Cladich from Queenie Strickland, making 6,000gns. Brought out by Stuart Campbell this follows a long line of high-priced heifer calves from this fold, this one being sired by Murchadh Dubh of Luruha, out of Lady Jane of Kilchoan. The dam’s breeder, Kilchoan Estate, Kilmelford, clinched the winning bid.

Lady Jane Dubh 3rd of Cladich

Lady Jane Dubh 3rd of Cladich, 6,000gns

Average prices varied by age category, with three-year-olds averaging £5,053.12, two-year-olds £3,491.25, yearlings £2,385.71, all down on previous years, whilst calves significantly bucked the trend to average £3,304 (up £1,590.10 on the previous year). Whilst overall trading reflected challenging conditions facing breeders, there were still notable prices achieved and encouraging interest in quality stock.

Beyond the show and sale rings, the event once again provided an important opportunity for members and enthusiasts to meet, share experiences, and celebrate the breed. The atmosphere throughout was jovial, with plenty of enthusiasm and positive conversation, demonstrating the commitment of breeders and the enduring appeal of Highland cattle. The Society’s annual gathering at the Royal Hotel, Oban, was another highlight, with around 100 members attending a dinner and ceilidh. The evening also provided the opportunity to present trophies to the show and sale winners, recognising the achievements of exhibitors and bringing members together in celebration.

Although entries and prices were down on previous years, the 129th Autumn Show and Sale demonstrated the resilience of the Highland cattle community in the face of considerable external pressures. The quality of cattle exhibited, the enthusiasm of members, and the participation of young handlers, all provided positive reminders of the breed’s strength and future prospect.

The Society thanks all vendors, purchasers, exhibitors, sponsors and supporters whose involvement helped make the event a great success, and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Oban for the February sale, taking place on 7 and 8 February 2027.

Other leading prices:

4,200gns – Ron McLean’s Dossan Ruadh 6th of Corntown, by Campbell of Tilbouries, to D and H Crane; Iain and Shona Graham’s Megan 26th of Killochries, by Gillie Dubh 7th of Killochries, to Crossley Estate, Somerleyton. 4,000gns – James Brown’s Dossan Og of Strathburn, by Ceannard 2nd of Stockley, to Elizabeth Atkinson, Greenberry Grange, Richmond, North Yorks; Ewan and Donna MacKay’s Boidheach Ruadh 8th of Glengoyne, by Fear-Bata of Achnagoul, to DA Dagg, Craig House, Melrose; Ken Brown’s Sine Dubh 10th of Craigowmill, by Ceannard 2nd of Stockley, to Kevin Lee Rice, Polehill Farm, Detling, Maidstone; Iain MacKay and Claire Simonetta’s Dossan Og 60th of Cnoc na Sith, by Captain Farquharson of Cnoc na Sith, to John Lamb, Tewet Burns Farm, St Johns in the Vale, Keswick, Cumbria.

Auctioneers: UA Oban

Prize list

Judge: Stuart Mackay

Class 1 - Three-year-old heifer

1st Balrownie
2nd Cloan
3rd Balrownie
4th Eilean Mor

Class 2 - Three-year-old heifer

1st Earn
2nd Earn
3rd Black Glen
4th Strathburn

Best three-year-old heifer

Kerrie-Dileas of Balrownie

Reserve

Erin 12th of Earn

Class 3 - Two-year-old heifer

1st Ranch
2nd Leys
3rd Glenfinnan
4th Ashmore

Class 4 - Two-year-old heifer

1st Killochries
2nd Craigowmill
3rd Corntown
4th Allanfearn

Best two-year-old heifer

Isabella of Ranch

Reserve

Marsili 30th of Leys

Class 5 - Yearling heifer

1st Cailaich
2nd Blasta Mhor
3rd Ardalanish
4th Allanfearn

Class 6 - Yearling heifer

1st Dochas
2nd Dochas
3rd Glengoyne
4th Killochries

Class 7 - Yearling heifer

1st Craigowmill
2nd Craigowmill
3rd Killochries
4th Cragganvallie

Best yearling heifer

Monica of Craigowmill

Reserve

Caitlin Ruadh 1st of Dochas

Class 8 - Heifer calf

1st Cladich
2nd Cladich
3rd Cladich
4th Cailaich

Class 9 - Heifer calf

1st Cailaich
2nd Cladich
3rd Cnoc Na Sith
4th Torr Ban

Class 10 - Heifer calf

1st Applecross
2nd Applecross
3rd Cnoc Na Sith
4th Ardbhan

Best heifer calf

Ila Dhearg 3rd of Applecross

Reserve

Lady Jane Dubh 3rd of Cladich

Best pair of heifer calves

Robina Sosanag 4th of Cailaich and Robina Dubh 22nd of Cailaich

Best pair of in-calf heifers

Kerrie-Dileas of Balrownie and Flora-Roisin 2nd of Balrownie

Overall female champion

Kerrie-Dileas of Balrownie

Reserve

Isabella of Ranch

Young handlers 10-15 years

1st Isla Hall
2nd Ellie Hall

Young handlers 16-26 years

1st Eva Armstrong
2nd Lincoln Butler

Lynne Dickens

Lynne is currently a part-time freelance website designer and marketer. Formerly trading full-time as Spot On Creative is a Northants-based creative team who have the hard-earned skills, expertise and industry knowledge that only come from having worked for years in advertising. It was all managed by Lynne Dickens who has over 20 years’ experience in marketing communications, and ten years in website design and build, and creative team project management.

Lynne is also a qualified art historian and has some expertise in curating fine art exhibitions and producing all of the catalogues, posters and supporting material to create a successful event.

All the guys in the team have worked for one-man bands, SMEs and large blue-chip multinationals in just about every sector, field and industry. Collectively, we can come up with great ideas, superb design and copy, and exceptional photography for anything from websites to email campaigns, branding to brochures – and everything in between.

And the beauty of Spot On Creative is that we’re big in creativity, experience and knowledge, but small in overheads and invoices. So we’re a much more sensible and affordable option for you than a larger advertising agency or marketing company.

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Royal Highland Show 2026