Held at Muirton, Perth on September 18th 1909.

ISDS Secretary & Treasurer: J Wilson.

Nineteen dogs qualified, of which 17 competed

Judges: Jas Jeffrey, Deuchrie, Prestonkirk; Thos Thomson, Scalp, Keilder; Donald Stewart, Crieff.

Sheep supplied by M Kinnon, Blairgowrie.

Results:

1 Jas Scott, Troneyhill with Kep (winner of the 1908 International).
2 Mr Dickson, Aileygrain, Teviothill, Hawick with an unnamed bitch (possibly Fan whom he ran in 1908)
3 R Sandilands, Dundas Castle and Don (winner of the 1906 International).
4 W Wallace, East Otterburnwith Moss.
5 Tom Gilholm, East Fortoun with Fleet.

Adapted from the article in the May/June 2009 issue of International Sheepdog News.

The International trial is announced in the Perthshire People’s Journal for Sept 11th 2009

Report of the trial from The Perthshire Constitutional & Journal, Sept 20 1909:

INTERNATIONAL SHEEP DOG TRIALS
INTERESTING COMPETITION AT PERTH

The International Sheep Dog Trials Society held their annual exhibition at Muirton, Perth, on Saturday. The weather was good and there was a large and representative attendance from all parts of the country. By the rules of the Society only prize-winners are allowed to enter for the International Champion Cup, and some of the leading dogs in the kingdom were forward. Altogether there were nineteen entrants, and of these seventeen entered the field, the competition lasting five and a half hours. At the close it was found that the judges had awarded the premier place to the renowned Border collie Kep, the property of Mr Jas Scott, Troneyhill, last year’s champion. This dog had a great reception, having won in prizes about £200 besides cups, medals, and other trophies, and there are many who believe him to be the greatest sheep dog living. There were those on the field who perhaps did not altogether agree with the decision, but the dog was placed at the disadvantage of having in his pen one of the wildest sheep seen on the field during the day, and viewed in that light his work was of a very high order. His haulding was splendid, and while his driving away was perhaps a little faulty that was not so much due to his fault as to the wild sheep. His penning and shedding was perfect, and with an altogether stylish and dashing display there were few who grudged the champion the honours of the day.
Mr Dickson, Aileygram, Hawick, came second with a daughter of the champion. This was an exceptionally clever dog, perhaps a little faulty in the haulding, and slower in the shedding, but her driving away was good and the penning very well done.
Mr R Sandilands, Dundas Castle, came third with Don, also a son of the champion. It hauled well and drove steadily, but had not the style of the other two, and there were many who did not agree with the judges in placing this dog in the prize-list.
The fourth place was taken by Mr W Wallace with Moss, also a son of the famous Kep. The outrun was well done, and, although he was a trifle keen, he did his work in great style, and at single shedding was seen at his best. He was one of the dogs to accomplish his work in the shortest time.
It was perhaps a disappointment to many of the spectators to find Fleet, the property of Mr T Gilholm, East Fortoun, and the East County champion and a son of Kep, placed fifth. There were many who thought this dog worthy of a better place in the prize-list. While in the field he had an excellent reception, and carried his out-run through in great dash and style. He showed his great powers in shedding and penning, and his display was the finest performance of the day, but was marred by the fact that he missed the single sheep. But for this he would have occupied a higher place in the prize-list.
Among the dogs who did not find a place on the prize list, some meritorious work was witnessed, and some of these were even more fancied than one or two of the animals in the prize list.
Mr T Gilholm, East Fortoun, caused a very good impression with the well known dog Meg. She started in grand style, and although a little faulty at the poles she retrieved herself by the grand work she showed at the close in her shedding.
As good a display of shedding and particularly in the single sheep as seen during the day was that given by Kep, belonging to Mr Alex Sandelands, Carlophill, but he was very stubborn in the out field, although he might have worked better with less command.
Another fine animal was Bess, the property of Mr R Burns, Cromlix, Dunblane. Quick in her action she showed grand training, but failed in the single sheep.
The youngest dog in the competition had a great reception, and, judging from the quality of his work, more is likely to be heard of him. This was Mr T P Brown of Tollishill’s Lad, a son of the well-known Tommy, and only fourteen months old. This animal carried out his work in good style, although he lost rather much time at shedding, but finished the “single” in grand form.
Some good work was also shown by Moss, which is owned by Mr Thos Armstrong, Pinnacle, Ancrum.
At the close votes of thanks were accorded to the judges; to Mr M Kinnon, Blairgowrie, who supplied the sheep; and Messrs Hay & Co, auctioneers, for the use of the park. The following is the prize-list:-
1 and challenge cup, Mr Jas Scott, Troneyhill;
2 Mr Dickson, Alleygrain, Teviothill, Hawick;
3 Mr R Sandilands, Dundas Castle;
4 Mr W Wallace, East Otterburn;
5 Mr T Gilholm, East Fortoun.
The judges were:- Mr Jas Jeffrey, Deuchrie, Prestonkirk; Mr Thos Thomson, Scalp, Keilder; and Mr Donald Stewart, Crieff.

Three of the top five from the 1909 trial meet again at Ayr in 1933:

(from left) James Scott, Tom Gilholm, and William Wallace

Winner in 1909, James Scott's Auld Kep

Third in 1909, the 1906 winner R Sandiland's Don

Fourth in 1909, William Wallace's Moss

Highly commended: T P Brown's Lad 19, who went on to win the

1913 International in Morpeth