Turriff & Huntly Cattle Show 1818

The Competition for the Premiums given to the Districts of Turriff and Huntly, by the Agricultural Association, was held at Turriff, on Tuesday the 11th current, when there appeared, as might have been expected, a great many fine animals of each class.  The premiums were awarded as follows:

The Marquis of Huntly, for the best Bull, from 2 to 7 years old, Seven Guineas.
Mr Webster, Mains of Laithers, Turriff, for the second best do.  Five Guineas.
The Marquis of Huntly, for the best Breeding Cow, from 3 to 9 years old, Five Guineas.
Mr Scott, Muiresk, Turriff, for the second best do.  Three Guineas.
Mr Irvine, Towie, Turriff, for the best 2 year old Quey.  Four Guineas.
Do.  do.  for the second best do.  Three Guineas.
Do.  do.  for the best two year old Stot.  Three Guineas.
Do.  do.  for the second best do.  Two Guineas.
Mr John Allardes, Boynesmill, Forgue, for the best Brood Mare with her Foal.  Seven Guineas.
Mr Jamieson, Cushnie, Auchterless, for the second best do.  Five Guineas.
Major Taylor, Rothiemay, for the best three year old Colt or Filly.  Give Guineas.
Mr Booth, Fisherford, Auchterless, for the second best do.  Three Guineas.
Mr George Lawson, Lessendrum, Drumblade, for the best two year old Colt or Filly.  Four Guineas.
Mr Webster, Mains of Laithers, for the second best do.  Two Guineas.

After the Competition, a large party sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Mrs Wallace, Turriff. - Mr Scott, Muiresk, filled the chair, and the day was spent with genuine mirth and harmony.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 19th August 1818.

Sequestrated estate of Alexander Mackenzie

VALUABLE LEASE FOR SALE.

THE LEASE of SEGGAT, in the parish of Auchterless, lately held by Alexander Mackenzie, in Thomastown of Towie, and now belonging to his sequestrated estate.

Particulars will be learned on application to David Hutcheon, Advocate in Aberdeen, the trustee.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 7th May 1817.

Horse theft in Fyvie

STOLEN

FROM ANDREW SHIRRAN, near Towie, in the parish of Fyvie, on the night between the 11^th and 12^th November, a Brown middle-sized HORSE, with a switch tail, and half long mane; has a few white hairs in the rose on his face; also a ratch on the far hind hip below the hurkle; and a little crooked on the near fore foot; was never shod on the hind feet; also there was taken with him, a COLLAR and HARNESS, with long slings.  On the same night, a Blue painted CART, with Red Shafts, was carried off from the neighbourhood, supposed by the same person.

Whoever can give such information as may be the means of detecting the offenders, will be handsomely rewarded on application to the Proprietor, or to Wm. Irvine, Esq. Towie, by Turriff.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 1^st December 1813.

Prizewinning Buchan ploughmen

BUCHAN PLOUGHING MATCH. - On Friday, the 11th inst. the Competition for the Premiums given by the Highland Society of Scotland to the best Ploughmen, took place in a Field at Aberdour House, before a Committee of the Society, and a number of Proprietors and respectable Farmers of the District.  At 11 o'clock, on a signal being given by the Convenor, Twenty-Four Ploughs started, one of which was drawn by Oxen; and the Work being finished, the Judges, after examining every Lot in the most careful manner, awarded the Premiums as follows, to the satisfaction of all present:

No. I - Being Three Guineas, and one of the Society's Medals - to David Cunningham, Servant to Mr Ross, in Tyrie.

No. II - Two Guineas and the other Silver Medal - to William Club, Servant to the Revd Mr Craik.

No. III - Two Guineas, to James Pirie - Servant to Mr Paton, in Towie.

No. IV. - One Guinea and a Half - to William Brown, Servant to Mr Gamack, Coburty.

No V. - One Guinea - to William Duncan, junior, in Killiewharp.

No. VI. - Half a Guinea - to William Grant, senior, Servant to Mr Ross, in Mains of Tyrie.

A liberal Subscription was made for the unsuccessful Candidates, to encourage them to future exertions in the most laudable of all undertakings; and the afternoon passed in the greatest harmony, an excellent Entertainment having provided, by Mr Cowie, from Rosehearty.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 23rd December 1812.

Fire at Kinbattoch, Towie

A most alarming and destructive fire happened lately in the parish of Towie, which burnt to the ground a fine square of Offices, consisting of the Kiln and Barn, Stables, Byres, Cart-shade, &c. belonging to Mr Meston, Farmer at Kinbattoch.  The fire was not discovered until the flames had got to such a height that all attempts to arrest their progress proved fruitless; and so rapidly did the devouring element spread, that the whole was soon consumed, the roofs of the several buildings, covered with slate, being of the best resinous Highland fir wood, tending to strengthen the conflagration. - Seven fine Cows and a Bull fell victims to the flames, and by their dreadful bellowing and noise, added to the awfulness of the scene: two of them were got out alive by a passenger, with great hazard to himself, but both died afterwards.  A variety of Farming Utensils, Cloaths, &c. were consumed; as also, a considerable quantity of Grain, part of it on the Kiln, which, being overheated, is supposed to have occasioned the accident.  Fortunately the men servants, who were accustomed to sleep in the lofts near the Kiln, were at the time engaged as Local Militiamen, otherwise the consequences might have been more tragical.  Mr Meston's loss, we regret to learn, is very great, as none of the premises were insured; but it was prevented from being still more considerable, by the accidental circumstances of his Horses, and some other Cattle, being neglected to be taken from the grass parks the night the fire happened.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 29th July, 1812.