BBC Alba - Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach
20 January 2014
Tuesday 21 January at 9.00pm
Episode 3 features the best of the action from the third and final local trial of the series. The team head to Aberfeldy where the local Young Farmers Association are hosting a hill trial featuring some of the most experienced shepherds in the country. It’s a particularly tough field and with unusual weather conditions – the sun is shining and the temperatures are high – the heat is well and truly on!
This trial features last year’s Supreme Winner Ian Brownlie, as well as Jock Welsh, Kevin Howlett, and Mary Caul and the course is not without its difficulties. Nothing to deter the determined competitors though with shepherd Craig Davidson informing BBC ALBA presenter Donald MacSween that despite some issues on his run ‘half a loaf is better than no bread’.
Also in the programme, reporter Kevin Walker goes to the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh to meet up with the Young Farmer groups from around Scotland. Kevin learns the pivotal role the organisation plays in rural communities. The association’s slogan is ‘not just for those that wear wellies’ and is proud of its commitment to promote lifelong learning and social skills across the rural landscape.
We also meet Faansie Basson, a competitor who has journeyed from South Africa to the UK to trial. In his preparations for the world trial Faansie is focusing on competing with Scottish sheep hence his trip to Scotland. Faansie gives us an insight to the difference between trialling in Scotland and South Africa and explains why he thinks sheepdog trialling is one of the most difficult sports to compete in.