Editor’s Foreword

What A Year!

Is it just me or has this year gone past in a whirlwind? I can’t believe it is autumn already. Everything has got back to normal for most people, shows have returned, people going on holiday once again and the majority of people are back in the office. The past couple of years have been very difficult for everyone so it is good to be out and about again meeting friends old and new.

It was great to see so many members and friends at the Royal Highland Show and the Great Yorkshire Show. Unfortunately, this year I could not attend the Royal Welsh Show, I am very much looking forward to meeting everyone at the 2023 show.

Our website shop was launched in June this year and is proving to be very successful. A huge thank you to Izzy Rainey who gifted the Highland Cattle Society with 2 of her designs which allows us to produce products that can only be purchased from the Highland Cattle Society. A beautiful Fine Bone China mug was also created to commemorate our patron, Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Also, thank you to Lara Mullis who is in charge of the distribution of each purchase.

Membership is on the increase for the second year in a row and the demand for Highland Cattle has been huge leaving many members with little or no cattle to sell at Society Sales. Registration numbers continue to be encouraging also. I would like to welcome all the new members who have joined over the past year, and I hope they reap the benefits of being a member of the society. Thank you to all our members for your support over the last year. Finally, a big thank you to Janet, David and all the Trustees for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Always cheerful through the toughest of times over the last couple of years. I wish you all the very best and hope to see many of you at Oban in October.

Anne-Marie

The Highland Cattle Society would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the following members, who passed away this year

As we are going to press, we have just heard the terribly sad news of the death of our Monarch and our Patron Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was Patron of our Society for 70 years, over half the lifetime of the Highland Cattle Society which was founded in 1884. Her patronage and keen interest in the Balmoral fold, which she established in 1952, has had a huge influence in expanding Highland Cattle from rare breed status to the international community of Highland Breeders today. We will remember and respect her patronage for generations to come. Our deepest sympathy goes to her family at this sad time. A commemorative supplement celebrating her life and patronage will be produced and sent out to all our members.

Mrs Jeannie MacColl

Mull has lost another true Muileach.

Jeannie was born at Lagganulva on 7th December 1937 to John & Sarah Cameron swiftly followed by her twin sister Jessie.

Jeannie attended Ulva Ferry Primary School followed by further education by correspondence course.

Horses played a huge part of her early life before the days of tractors. Jeannie, Jessie & Duncan all became proficient at ploughing, winning prizes at the local matches.

The twins were fairly tough, and grew up to be very strong women in farming doing any and every job, matching any man.

Jeannie’s life really was shepherding and she was also certain to be the only woman to have gathered every hirsel in North West Mull.

Jeannie met her future husband Donnie at a dance in Torloisk hall. They went on to have five children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Jeannies love of highland cattle began at the early age of four, when her father bought a young highland bull in Oban which became the most pampered animal on the farm and she never lost her desire to be among highland cattle.

She was involved with her late son Angus at Torloisk Fold and then Glengorm Fold also with his own Muingairigh Fold. She was never happier than preparing cattle for shows and sales.

I can’t remember her missing a Highland show and sale in Oban until Covid intervened.

I could continue forever with mentioning all the events that this remarkable woman did in her charitable work and voluntary community work.

With memories of our many trips away to shows.

Rest in Peace Jeannie.