Shropshire family in rare triumph for English cow at Scottish competition
A family of farmers from Shropshire took their Highland Cattle to Scotland - and scooped two top awards.
Suzanne and Arthur Hill, who have reared Highland Cattle in Much Wenlock for eight years, came away with first and fourth place.
The first place award was the first time a cow reared in England had won the top title in more than 100 years of competition in Oban.
The 123rd annual show and sale north of the border was fiercely competitive but the Hill family, based in Walton Farm, managed to beat off the strong competition.
They picked up first place in the class three of the senior bull section, and fourth in the two-year-old section, class two.
Proud husband Rob Hill said: "My wife was delighted to pick up first place for her two-year-old during the championships.
"It's the first time in more than 140 years the championship has been won by someone from outside Scotland.
"We are all very proud and it was sold privately after the event. We were told was a very fine example and breed of cattle."
The Highland fold began with the purchase of three heifers at Chelford spring sale bought from Auchtenny and Eastol Moor folds.
These were soon joined by cows from David Heighton at Ellerdine.
The couple had to travel more than 400 miles to compete in the annual Highland Cattle showpiece but Mr Hill said it was all worth the event.
"We knew we had a good heifer with us but it's fair to say we were suitably suprised and really pleased with the result," he said.
"For us to be the first people to win in more than 140 years is very special.
"It's been a real achievement for my wife and me."
