BY JACKIE MACKENZIE
Almost 3,000 sheep and lambs went under the hammer at Portree Mart this week, when a young auctioneer with Skye roots made his rostrum debut.
Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd sold 2,949 store lambs and feeding sheep on Monday.
“It was an excellent sale,” said marts managing director Grant Macpherson. “Prices were very good – better than last year.”
Lambs (2,586) averaged £81.97 and sold to £126.00 gross for a pair of Beltex crosses from 2B Penifiler, Portree.
Ewes (312) averaged £82.26 and sold to £152.00 gross for a Cheviot from 2 Drumuie, Portree.
Gimmers (22) averaged £121.82 and sold to £149.00 gross for a pen of Texel crosses from 4 & 5 Ardmore, Harlosh.
Rams (10) averaged £105.10 and sold to £142.00 gross for a pair of Cheviots from North Duntulm, Uig.
Feeding sheep (19) sold to £120 gross for a pen of Cheviots from Penifiler SSC, Portree.
Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd said they were “delighted” to see the debut of their auctioneer Calum MacDonald on the rostrum on Monday.
Calum’s mum hails from Balnacnoc, Uig, and the family now live in Inverness.
The mart said: “A most fitting venue for Calum’s first livestock sale, given his strong ties to the island. He handled the sale with confidence and professionalism, demonstrating that he is a very capable young auctioneer with a bright future ahead of him.
“We would be remiss not to mention our other young auctioneer Ross MacKenzie who continues to impress. There will undoubtedly be many more sales in the future for these talented young men. Well done, Calum and Ross.”
