The fold began in 1988, the year we moved to Fourmerk, with the purchase of two yearling heifers from Duncan Buchanan of Shennavallie.

These were soon followed by mature cows and our first bull, Alistair Ruadh 2^nd of Glenogle. He was previously owned by Angus Mackay of Coirefuar, and an Alistair son made 11000 gns at a Highland Cattle Society sale. Alistair left very good calves, mainly females, some of which were retained for future breeding. Two of the bull calves left by Alistair were purchased as bulls. These were Seamus and Seamus 11 of Fourmerk.

By 1994, our fold numbered thirteen cows plus followers and Alistair, who was sold to Judy Bowser, was replaced by Stiabhan of Lawers. Like Alistair, his bloodlines included the great bull, Jock of Benmore.

In 1995, when we decided to reduce our numbers, we retained one of our original heifers, Cannach of Shennavallie. The fold by 1999 had five cows, two bulling heifers, the bull, Fergus of Auchnacraig (see Photo Gallery below) and followers, with the total number being sixteen. In 1997 and 1998, we bought back two yearling heifers from Tordarroch, who were basically of our own breeding. One was by the bull, Alistair of Fourmerk, with which Tordarroch had such great success, and the other was a grand-daughter of Molag Ruadh 11^th of Shennavallie, by Stiabhan. Both heifers had excellent show records and we looked forward to their calves, the first of which were due in 2000. Unfortunately, one of the heifers did not conceive and was culled but the other produces excellent calves.

In 2003, we had five cows and two we bought from Killochries in 2002, and they produced four bull calves and three heifers.

At the beginning of 2004, we still had Fergie and we had two three year old heifers, seven two year olds (including two steers bought from Judy Bowser) and seven yearlings.

In 2005, we sold Fergie and bought Dalriada of Munlochy. We had a difficult calving with almost every cow, but ended up with four heifers and two bull calves.

2007: I have had to sell almost all my cattle because I cannot do the work with them without Ronnie's help. They were sold at Perth on 25th October and the prices were very poor. I was very sad to part with them. The only good thing is that they went in groups to their new owners and so will remain with their friends. I still have Maisie who is five months in calf and Annag, three months in calf, with her heifer calf at foot and one two year old bullock.

I hope to be able to continue selling Highland beef, but it will not be from home bred animals. I intend to buy bullocks to finish each year.

• Annag Ruadh 3^rd of Coirefuar
• Annag of Cameron Loch Lomond
• Maisie 2^nd of Fourmerk
• Molag of Tordarroch
• Maila Dhu of Killochries
• Peallachag Odhar of Ardbhan

• Maisie 7^th of Fourmerk
• Peallachag 1^st of Killochries
• ACannach Beag 4^th of Coirefuar
• Annag 5^th of Fourmerk
• Annag Beag 2^nd of Fourmerk

   

In 1999, two yearling heifers by Fergus were sold and are now at the Roman Camp Hotel in Callander. Two yearling heifers were also sold in 2000 to Fiona Hagan of Auchterarder as show heifers. She sold them at Perth in 2002 as in calf heifers and one heifer was the top priced heifer of the sale. She was sold to the Gartons of Thaggnam Fold who have had great success with her in the show ring. In August 2001, we sold two two year old heifers and three yearling heifers to R Drysdale of Fife as potential breeding stock. In 2004, we sold two three year old heifers, one to the Gartons and one to Tim Haigh of Barnsley House Fold. We also sold a yearling heifer to Bill Wilson, a friend of the Gartons and a two year old heifer, which will be kept on the Isle of Bute, to John McKay. This year, we have also sold Fergie. It was sad to see him leave after seven years but he has gone to Ken and Eva Brown of Craigowmill Fold, near Milnathort. We bought Dalriada of Munlochy, from the Auchnacraig Fold on Mull in September.

In 2001, we had five calves - three heifers and two bulls. 2002 and 2003, seven calves each year and seven due in 2004. Unfortunately, one cow lost her calf in 2004. Some heifers will be kept as future breeding stock, the others will be sold and the bullocks will be finished on farm and the meat sold in November, December and January .

We rarely show our Highland cattle as it is almost impossible to show two species of animal at the same show and to do credit to both. However, we regularly attend Society sales and take a great interest in the breed and its progress in the modern agricultural world. We finish our bullocks on the farm - mainly grass fed but some hard feed for the last two or three months. They are slaughtered at Dunblane abattoir, hung for three weeks and butchered locally. We sell the beef locally in thirds or quarters and our customers keep coming back for more!

Annag of Coirefuar

That's my boys! (2004)

Calves 2001

Fergus of Auchnacraig

Fergus of Auchnacraig

Peall and Maila's Bull Calves 2004