Shepherding in the 1960s
Ardkinglas Estate
In 1962 the tenancy of Ardno farm was given up by Robert Weir and the farm was taken back into Ardkinglas Estate.
In 1966 Ardkinglas Estate was split between John and Michael Noble, John remained the owner of Ardkinglas which now included Cuil, Clachan, Newton and Beinn Chas, Ceann Garbh, Benvalagan and Trosgiche hirsels, there are now approximately 2610 sheep on Ardkinglas Estate.
Cairndow Estate
Cairndow Estate was owned by Michael Noble which now encluded Cruach, Achrioch, Achadunan, Leacann, Coire Creagach, Beinn Vane, Beinn Chorranach, Beinn Ime, Glen Kinglas, Beinn Lochain, Beinn Seilichch, Stob, Scolton and Ballie Beag hirsels, there are now approximately 5680 sheep on Cairndow Estate.
There was 9 shepherds employed in 1961.
There could be up to 30 men clipping sometimes, because your neighbours came along to give you a hand. And vice versa, you went to help them. Up to 30, mostly on stools in those days. And the young boy’s job was to crog the sheep to them, to catch the sheep and take it to the stool and ground clippers.
The big shed at Achadunan was built in 1968, and at one time lambed up to 700 ewes in it.
The Hoggs were wintered out to Tayvallich at 34 shillings per head, they also went to Stirling and Lanarkshire where they came back black from the soot!
Average wool price - £1 a fleece, average weight would be 3 - 5lb.
Electric shears were now being used with a shearing course being held a Clachan in 1963. Contractor shearers were also being used now.
Average lamb price early 60s - £3 - £4
1962 first sale at Clachan - top wether lamb made over £5, a big price!
Average cast ewe price - £7 - £8
Average wether price - £9 - £10
A trainee shepherd's starting wage in 1961 was £3.9/ 6d - £4.12/6d a shepherd was getting approximately £12 - £16 a week by the late 1960s.
Average price for a working dog - £5 - £10
In 1962 the tenancy of Ardno farm was given up by Robert Weir and the farm was taken back into Ardkinglas Estate.
In 1966 Ardkinglas Estate was split between John and Michael Noble, John remained the owner of Ardkinglas which now included Cuil, Clachan, Newton and Beinn Chas, Ceann Garbh, Benvalagan and Trosgiche hirsels, there are now approximately 2610 sheep on Ardkinglas Estate.
Cairndow Estate
Cairndow Estate was owned by Michael Noble which now encluded Cruach, Achrioch, Achadunan, Leacann, Coire Creagach, Beinn Vane, Beinn Chorranach, Beinn Ime, Glen Kinglas, Beinn Lochain, Beinn Seilichch, Stob, Scolton and Ballie Beag hirsels, there are now approximately 5680 sheep on Cairndow Estate.
There was 9 shepherds employed in 1961.
There could be up to 30 men clipping sometimes, because your neighbours came along to give you a hand. And vice versa, you went to help them. Up to 30, mostly on stools in those days. And the young boy’s job was to crog the sheep to them, to catch the sheep and take it to the stool and ground clippers.
The big shed at Achadunan was built in 1968, and at one time lambed up to 700 ewes in it.
The Hoggs were wintered out to Tayvallich at 34 shillings per head, they also went to Stirling and Lanarkshire where they came back black from the soot!
Average wool price - £1 a fleece, average weight would be 3 - 5lb.
Electric shears were now being used with a shearing course being held a Clachan in 1963. Contractor shearers were also being used now.
Average lamb price early 60s - £3 - £4
1962 first sale at Clachan - top wether lamb made over £5, a big price!
Average cast ewe price - £7 - £8
Average wether price - £9 - £10
A trainee shepherd's starting wage in 1961 was £3.9/ 6d - £4.12/6d a shepherd was getting approximately £12 - £16 a week by the late 1960s.
Average price for a working dog - £5 - £10
Ardkinglas archives - Agricultural return Achadunan and Clachan farms 1960
Ardkinglas archives - Agricultural return Achadunan and Clachan farms 1963
Alistair MacCallum’s wage November 1960 - May 1961
Alistair MacCallum’s wage May 1968 - December1968
Roddy MacDiarmid Jn wages May - December 1968
Roddy MacDiarmid’s stock book - sheep sold at Clachan Sale 1966
Donald MacPherson’s stock book - ewes and lambs sold 1962
Sheep Shearing Course, Clachan 1963.
Back row left to right -
Unknown, Iain McWhirter, Anne Noble, Johnny Bell, Shona McIntyre, Donald MacPherson, Unknown, Bruce Marshall, Donnie McMaster, Hughie Boea, Unknown, Alistaie Jackson, John McPhail, Unknown, Iain Bell, Hilton McKellar, Colin MacCallum, ? McKay, Jimmy Waddell, Unknown, Philips Coutts, Ben Coutts.
Front row -
Angus Boea, Alistair MacCallum, Angus MacDiarmid, Ernie MacPherson, Roddy MacDiarmid, Malcolm MacDonald, Douglas Campbell, Angus Patterson, Callum McKinnon, Bob Gentles.
Back row left to right -
Unknown, Iain McWhirter, Anne Noble, Johnny Bell, Shona McIntyre, Donald MacPherson, Unknown, Bruce Marshall, Donnie McMaster, Hughie Boea, Unknown, Alistaie Jackson, John McPhail, Unknown, Iain Bell, Hilton McKellar, Colin MacCallum, ? McKay, Jimmy Waddell, Unknown, Philips Coutts, Ben Coutts.
Front row -
Angus Boea, Alistair MacCallum, Angus MacDiarmid, Ernie MacPherson, Roddy MacDiarmid, Malcolm MacDonald, Douglas Campbell, Angus Patterson, Callum McKinnon, Bob Gentles.
Ardkinglas archives - shepherds wages 1961
Sheep sale at Clachan 1962.
Michael and John Noble
Michael and John Noble
Valuation of sheep stock on Ardno between John and Michael Noble (landowner) and Robert Weir outgoing tenent, September 1962.
Valuation of sheep stock on Ardno between John and Michael Noble (landowner) and Robert Weir outgoing tenent, September 1962.
Clachan farm valuation 8th January 1961
Ardno valuation of stock Jan 1966
Clachan and Achadunan valuation 1966
Alistair MacCallum, Neil MacMaster and Roddy MacDiarmid 196? What fank?
Donald MacPherson, Ian Bell, Jimmy Waddell, Alistair MacCallum, Ernie MacPherson.
Angie MacDiarmid, Roddy MacDiarmid, Calum MacDonald and Colin MacCallum.
1963 Shearing course at Clachan.
Angie MacDiarmid, Roddy MacDiarmid, Calum MacDonald and Colin MacCallum.
1963 Shearing course at Clachan.
Sheep in Strone Brae field! 1968
Sheep in Strone Brae field! 1968
Sheep in Strone Brae field! 1968
Ernie MacPherson, Donald MacPherson and Jimmy Waddle, Achadunan 1965.