THE North Country Cheviot Sheep Society is celebrating a record-breaking sales season as the popularity of the breed continues to grow.

Society sales for the hardy hill breed, which take place at Lairg, Dingwall, Thurso, Lockerbie, Kelso, Builth, Monmouthshire, Bryncir, Clitheroe and Longtown, saw long-standing records smashed and a tremendous commercial demand for rams along with an overall uplift in price across the board.

The North Country Cheviot is the largest of the UK hill breeds and comes in two types – the Hill type and the Park type. Both types were developed for their thriftiness and health, meaning they thrive in the poorest upland conditions.

Until this year, the record price paid for a Park tup was £8,000 which had stood since 1979.

However, on September 15, at the Lockerbie Park sale, the record was almost doubled when Allanshaws Bullseye, bred by Roderick Runciman from Lauderdale, was sold for £15,000.

A new record for the Hill type was also set this year. On October 4 in Lairg, Stouphill A 19392 – a two shear ram sired by Badanaloch Tip Top Tup – sold for £24,000, smashing the previous record of £18,000 which had stood since 2019.

North Country Cheviot Sheep Society President, Melfyn Williams, said the new records were great to witness and were indicative of the quality of the modern North Country Cheviot.

He said: “I’m confident everyone connected with the breed will be delighted to see new records set for both the Park and Hill type at this year’s sales. It goes to show the growing value that is attached for the Northie both as a pure-breed animal and for the commercial sheep farmer."

For more information, see www.nc-cheviot.co.uk or email secretary@nc-cheviot.co.uk.