A BLACKSMITH has played a major role in the farming and business life of Alasdair Houston, of Gretna House Farms, Gretna Green, in Dumfries-shire – the fourth generation of the family to farm there. While probably best-known globally for owning the Famous Blacksmith Shop and its equally celebrated anvil to conduct thousands of marriages as part of what’s now a major Scottish visitor destination, on the farming side, his Gretnahouse prefix has become a byword for excellence in no fewer than three breeds – Simmental, Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus. That latter breed is where the other Blacksmith comes in. Gretnahouse Blacksmith L500 has made an indelible mark on the breed, both in this herd and many others.
The Stirling Pedigree Bulls Sales based in Scotland is one of the highlight sales for pedigree beef breeders in the UK.
It is also a sale which, in normal circumstances, many southern Irish breeders would attend in order to view some of the top pedigree bulls that the UK has to offer.
However, due to the Scottish government guidelines on Covid-19 restrictions, United Auctions confirmed on its social media platform that the bull’s February sales are going to have to be moved to a later date in the month.
The sales were originally due to begin on Sunday, January 31, to Monday, February 1, and continue on Sunday, February 14, to Monday, February 15.