News from Ormiston Highlands

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Newtonmore Riding Centre Feb 2008

Holiday in Florida Feb 2007

Championship at First Ever Show outing for two Novices

Rhum-maging around an Island in search of ponies May 2006

Joyce and Ruaridh joined a small group from the Central Highland Pony Enthusiasts for a trip to the Island of Rum in early May and called it their "Second Honeymoon". The group included HPS judges Gilean Docherty, Jane McNaught and Sally Coutts. The long weekend included a Ceilidh in the community hall on the Saturday night as well as a look round the very famous Kinloch Castle, which had been the Sporting Retreat of the Bullough Family in Edwardian times before being handed over to SNH in 1957. At that time it is was of course the Nature Conservancy Council, SNH's predecessor. For the most part the trip was dry and only marred by some rain on the Sunday night and Monday morning. On Saturday a trip was made over to Harris Bay to see the famous Rum Ponies along with Highland Cattle ranging together quite happily. All the stock was in good condition for the end of a winter and we were escorted by Ed the Reserve Manager and conveyed in special heavy duty Land Rovers. We were allowed to look through the Rum Pony Archives on the Monday morning and it was interesting to see letters discussing the use of alternative stallions to correct some of the inherent confirmation deficiencies, that seem to have been bred into these ponies over the years. One letter was from my grandfather Ewan Ormiston in 1959 discussing the use of Drambuie and a later letter from my father Cameron discussing suggestions on improving the problems by stallion selection from 1977. If any of these recommendations had been followed I am sure the Rhum ponies would be better today with more variety and better quality, more like the older pictures we saw in the archives. It appears they have simply been bred to "fix" the unique colouring at the exclusion of almost everything else. My father remembers being on the first official visit by the Highland Pony Society in the early sixties. There are currently two colts on the mainland as part of the HPS Colt Accommodation Scheme although for what purpose it was not really very clear. We saw a total of 17 ponies on the island. All the ponies except for one were very friendly and even the anti-social one came round eventually. The ponies are used for the removal of deer from the hill during the shooting season, although it was disappointing to hear that SNH are also using helicopters for this, as they strive to reduce deer numbers. We can honestly recommend a weekend in Rum to anybody that wants to get away from it for a while. The island is regularly served by Calmac in Mallaig with the Loch Nevis and by Arisaig Marine with the Shearwater sailing from Arisaig 8 miles away. Accommodation is in the castle hostel and conditions are very good and all meals can be provided by Kim and her team.

The wedding was a great success at the the Glenfinnan House Hotel on the side of Loch Sheil by the village of Glenfinnan 14 miles West of Fort William. When Ruaridh left home there was six inches of snow and it was blowing a blizzard but at Glenfinnan there was almost no snow. For Joyce it was much closer and the weather to the west towards Arisaig was much more forgiving. The sun came out for the wedding service which was held outside on the lawn beside the loch and Ben Nevis can just be seen in the middle distance covered in snow, the Prince Charlie and Jacobite Memorial is to the left of the photograph on the lochside. The ceremony was attended by 50 close friends, relatives and family followed by a lovely meal in the hotel provided by Duncan and Manja who run the Glenfinnan House Hotel and who have won many awards and commendations from other wedding couples. The meal was very traditional with Scotch Broth for the soup course followed by a Wild Boar Ham terrine with Highland Venison, from the neighbouring shooting estate of Glanalladale, for a main course followed off with a very special version of Highland Crannachan as desert. The evening saw approximately 90 guests dance to the sounds of Skipinnish who are a true West Highland Ceilidh Band providing some real favorites for the dancing. The hotel is lovely with large open log fires in almost all the public rooms. The happy couple stayed their first night in the hotel and the master bedroom has a four poster bed and the room overlooks the loch. The house is a former shooting lodge and still retains all its character and the furniture is fitting for the age and original use of this very welcoming family hotel which makes it so unique.

Wedding Date set for March 3rd 2006

Ruaridh and Joyce are getting married in March at the Glenfinnan House Hotel about 12 miles west of Fort William on the romantic Road to the Isles. The hotel overlooks the end of Loch Shiel, one of the longest freshwater lochs in Britain and also the location of the monument to Prince Charlie and the Jacobites. The wedding should be on the front lawn weather permitting and overlooks the place where the Jacobite Standard was raised in 1745. If the weather is not so good the wedding will be in the Grand Entrance Hall in Front of a large open log fire. The house is the original shooting lodge for Glenaladale Estate and had been in Macdonald hands for many years but is now run by Duncan and Manja Gibson, but still owned by the MacFarlane family.

The day will be for close family but with the evening planned for some Ceilidh Dancing to the sound of Skippinish a local band

We will probably post photographs on here in due course so please come back and have a look in mid March.

If you are interested in visiting the hotel here is the link to their website: Glenfinnan House Website

Ruaridh and Joyce got engaged at Olympia Horse Show 2005

The December Olympia Horse Show in London was extra magical this year because Ruaridh and Joyce Wilkinson got engaged while down in London for the weekend. Ruaridh was returning from working in Far East Russian Siberia and arranged to fly Joyce to London for her Birthday on the 16th December, while at Olympia on Saturday 17th December, Ruaridh proposed and of course Joyce accepted. The ring was a Russian Diamond and Ruaridh's mother and Joyce joked that the plot was like something out of the James bond Movie "From Russia with Love". Joyce is no stranger to the Highland Pony world and qualified as a NPS Stud Assistant when only 19 while working in some well known studs around the country including Miss Georgie Henschel of Altnacriche Stud at Ballintean, Aviemore, Mrs Margeret Runcie of Roslin Stud, Haddington and Mrs Joanna MacInnes, Whalton Stud, Cumbria. In her early twenties she then went on to work for the Queen looking after the Balmoral Ponies and running the Pony Trekking before returning home to Arisaig on the West Highland Coast of Scotland after five years to run her own Invercaimbe croft and caravan site. Joyce keeps her own Luing Cattle and has been well known for showing and producing Highland Ponies over the years. She is probably best known for her partnership with her homebred mare Sanda of Caimbe throughout the 1990's when they won many Championships in hand and under saddle. Sadly she lost Sanda from Laminitis last year but is very keen to breed another show winner to keep the tradition going.

Horse Statue at London Haymarket       Joyce ready to go out for dinner to celebrate      Inverness Airport on the way home

West Highland Seahorses return to their Croila Roots 2005

Ruaridh and Joyce this year made a trip out to the Isle of Muck to buy some young Highland Ponies that had been advertised for sale in the West Word magazine. These ponies had been bred by the MacEwan family using a Croila Stallion called Strathmashie Seamas Mor. Seamas had been sold to Tex Geddes and had spent many years on the Isle of Soay, when Tex died Lawrence MacEwan took him over on his boat "The Wave" with some of Tex's mares to the Isle of Muck. One of these mares was Kames of Croila. After viewing them in May on a trip on the MV Sheerwater it was agreed to buy 4 fillies and 2 geldings.  We went back in June with the MV Spanish John 2, a landing craft owned and skippered by my friend Greg Milligan from Mallaig. The day we went for the horses it rained from the time we left Newtonmore till we got back 16 hours later.

Ruaridh with Seamas on Muck with Horse Island behind (Ealan nan Each) and the Spanish John at Port Mor ready to load.

Ruaridh coaxing a filly on board and Luing cattle and fillies on deck, geldings in trailer, ready to unload in Mallaig Harbour

One of the geldings Finnlay of Muck was broken and shown by Joyce under saddle as a 4 year old at Strontian and Lochaber Shows this year and has now been sold down south to England. Ruaridh of Muck has also been broken  and has found a lovely home as a driving pony, next year one of the fillies will be sold but the rest of them will be kept for breeding by Ruaridh and Joyce because of their bloodlines.

Congratulations on Official Appointment to HCS 2005 

Ruaridh has been elected onto the Council of the Highland Cattle Society at Oban in February 2005 and is very much looking forward to getting involved in the running of the Highland Cattle Society and the future of the breed. Ruaridh was appointed to the committee of the North of Scotland Highland Cattle Club also just before Christmas.

At Oban Cameron and brother Fergie were "commissioned" to buy Ruaridh a new bull and they bought "Douglas of Meggernie" from Ruaridh's other brother Dochy. At least it keeps it all in the family and he is a very well bred bull who has all the qualities that we were looking for to replace our old stock bull who was sold before Christmas. Dochy and Fergie are both judges on the Highland Cattle Society Judging Panel so it is hoped that Douglas will leave some good stock.

Ruaridh has also served on the Highland Pony Society Council but only for a short time about then years ago. Because work commitments made it very difficult to attend meetings, he had to resign before completing his 3 year tenure. However in the future Ruaridh would once again like to serve on HPS Council when he has more time in his retirement from his current job and after finishing his time on HCS Council.

Happy Birthday Sylvia - 40 Today - 31st December 2004

A big happy 40th birthday to my brother Dochy's wife Sylvia who I am sure is still feeling like seventeen !!

Not sure how old she is in this picture, all we know is it is a younger version of "Silly the Filly".

Here is another picture of her below as it appeared on the cover of the Xmas edition if The Native Pony Magazine. As you can see she does not look a day older than the picture above !!!!!

Historic Research Uncovers forgotten credit to Ormiston Breeding

On doing some research through old Highland Pony records, Ruaridh has discovered that the most famous Highland Pony Stallion ever was all Ormiston Bloodlines on his mother's side. GLENBRUAR born in 1902 and bred by Mr James McDonald, Glenbruar by Blair Atholl probably has more show winning credits to himself and his progeny at the the Highland Show than any other stallion in the history of the breed. His mother was Jean (born 1885) by Gaick Ossian out of Gaick Sally, both bred by Edward Ormiston in the Deer Forest of Gaick over the hill from Blair Atholl by way of Glenbruar. (Most of Edward's horses are not even mentioned in Highland Pony Stud Book Index Part 1 because they were being bred before modern Highland Pony Records were kept.) Please find a of picture of Glenbruar published in the Scottish Farmer in the year that he passed away in 1931. However his offspring still continued to win at the Highland for many years after. Almost every winner from 1905-1939 had Glenbruar blood in them.

To keep with tradition my brother Dochy (and now his wife Sylvia) continue to keep the Gaick name going by registering ponies with that Prefix/Suffix. Dochy has been using it for at least the last 15 years. Exciting news is that Sylvia has just bought a colt with stallion potential, so expect to see a few more Gaick ponies being registered in the next few years. She is on the look out for some more mares I have heard.

Please watch this space because there may be a book written shortly about the involvement of the Ormiston Family in Highland Pony breeding over the years starting in the early 1800's. This book will be unique and will contain photos and pictures from the Ormiston's own family archives that have not been seen elsewhere before now. It is hoped this book will be ready within the next five years.

Torrin shines at Blair Atholl

Our bay stallion Torrin of Croila had a successful day at Blair Atholl Highland Pony Show in August, where he lifted a first in-hand and was well placed in the Novice Ridden Section. Torrin is on loan to the Malim family Of Meggernie Estate, Glen Lyon, near Aberfeldy at the moment. While at Meggernie he is being produced by Sylvia Ormiston (Dochy's wife). Sylvia looks after all the horses for the Malim family and also runs the Trekking Centre on the Estate. Dochy looks after the sheep and cattle on the estate and is well know for producing and showing bulls at the Oban Highland Cattle Sales. There was a lot of good comments made from the ringside about Torrin at Blair Atholl and we are hoping he will be out some more in 2005.

Torrin of Croila being ridden by Sylvia Ormiston at Blair 2004.

Finally Back in the Show Ring

Following several busy years of concentrating on the farm and cattle, Ruaridh has finally stopped talking about it and has managed to get back in the show ring for 2004. He showed at Grantown and the local Badenoch Riding Club Show and has a fuller showing program planned for next year, depending on free time from showing cattle.

Ruaridh with 12 year old mare Meann Dhubh of Croila at Grantown, Reserve Champion in Club Area and Best Working Highland Pony. Seen here with a Combination Deer Saddle, designed for riding out the hill and carrying deer back. Meann is currently scanned in foal to Atholl Tilt. (Atholl Tilt has plenty Ormiston bloodlines from his sire Fergie of Strathmashie)

Ormiston Highlands supply cattle to "Monarch of the Glen" Filming

During March and April and also in June 2004, the Ormiston Family supplied 12 cows to Moy Farm for filming for Monarch of the Glen. Moy Farm is located between Newtonmore and Fort William and will be seen in Series 6 as "Isabel's Croft". Cameron was on location for most of the filming and has a broad experience of this type of work having started on "The Master of Ballantrae" in 1952 which starred Errol Flynn. This film even required some stunt riding. Since then we have supplied ponies and cattle for other films like "The Highlander", "Rob Roy", "The Missionary" and "Chasing the Deer" to name some of the better known ones. We also do quite a lots of advertising type work and have worked recently for White Horse Whisky, Nissan, Musto Clothing, Stags Breath Liquor as well as many others. Ruaridh also supplied a Pair of Horses and a carriage for the Highland Games scene in an earlier Monarch Series. For this he had Molly, Lexy and Kilwillie with his American cousin in his carriage for the whole day because there were so many re-takes of the scenes.

Click on this picture to find out more about "Monarch of the Glen Country"

Croila Ponies On Maneuvers with the British Army 2004

The Ormiston Family (particularly Ewan Ormiston) supplied ponies to the British Army through the Remount Section for years and used to supply large numbers of ponies for the Territorial Army "Lovat Scouts" Summer Camps. Normally the ponies would leave Newtonmore "en masse" in the summer by train and go to locations in the borders for these camps. The ponies would then return to Newtonmore in time to go out on hire to the various Highland Estates for the start of the stag shooting season. (This was before the days of pony trekking). For many years we took the Army, RAF and Navy out for pony trekking when they were on R & R type breaks up North but did not get involved with any training operations related to combat.

However last year we were contacted by the Army who wanted to do do some Pack Horse Maneuvers in Lochaber near Fort William. The reason being that they had seen the success of the locals using pack ponies and donkeys while on duty in Afghanistan and wanted to investigate it further for carrying supplies and ammunition. The Army still have some pack ponies that are kept at the Royal Veterinary Corp HQ at Melton Mowbary to maintain skills in "pack transport" but they did not have enough ponies or equipment to supply the exercise. So once again Cameron Ormiston helped out the British Army with Ormiston Highland Ponies. Full story and pictures to follow shortly.

The 50th Anniversary of Pony Trekking 1952-2002

This was celebrated at the 2002 Blair Atholl Horse Trials with Cameron leading the Parade of Horses and Ponies from Centres all over Scotland. He was the only one of the "old school" that rode a pony unassisted and of course with no safety hat. Cameron's older sister Mulliadth from Canada was there as well as Ruaridh. Mulliadth remembers accompanying her father, Ewan Ormiston, when they received the original grant money from Sport Scotland to start pony trekking at the car park at what was then the new ski-ing centre at Cairngorm. Ewan and Cameron started the Trekking at the Balavil Arms Hotel Newtonmore with the original holidays lasting a whole week. Ruaridh was still doing pony trekking and trail riding holidays up until a couple of years ago. The family continue to supply riding and trekking ponies to other centres which has even included the Queen at Balmoral. Pony Trekking and Riding Centres now belong to the TRSS. (Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland)

See below Cameron riding a good young Croila Mare of the type we breed with a bias for performance under saddle with good weight carrying capability. In the future I will post a photo of the 21st Anniversary of Pony Trekking in Newtonmore in 1973 held by the then STRA (Scottish Trekking and Riding Association). You can see the whole Ormiston Family riding in the parade as well as a lot of other "worthies" including Iain Galbraith from Ayr driving our pony and trap carrying the banners.

See Cameron below riding a right good young Croila Mare. I wish we had another 50 or 60 like this one at home.

   Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland

For more news on the 50th anniversary celebration Click on the Picture above. For more information on the TRSS and what they do, or to find out where to ride in Scotland Click on the Logo to go to the TRSS Website.

RSPB Scotland Lapwing Champion Award 2003

Ruaridh receiving the award at the Royal Show 2003 at Stoneleigh, England from Dr Mark Avery of the RSPB.

In recognition of  their work to encourage Lapwings or “Peeweets” on their farm, Badenoch farmers, Ruaridh and Cameron Ormiston, have won this award

The Ormiston Family have been farming in the Badenoch Area of The Highlands of Scotland for at least five generations and are best known for their Highland Cattle and Highland Ponies.

Ruaridh and his father Cameron have been managing the meadow at Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie, which is part of the recently declared National Nature Reserve at  Insh Marshes for over twenty years.

They concentrate on Native Breeds and graze Ruthven with a combination of Highland Cattle and Highland Ponies that leaves a very short sward as well as controlling rushes to provide a habitat that is ideally suited to Lapwings and other wetland and wading birds. Ruthven is also home to Redshank, Curlew, Snipe, and Oystercatchers. Open water  attracts Whooper Swans and Grey Lag Geese.  

Since entering  the Rural Stewardship Scheme in 2001, the Ormiston's have developed their farming methods to encourage birds and other wildlife. ‘ We have several wetland areas,’ says Ruaridh, ‘ as well as areas specifically managed for birds, like wet grassland and mown grassland, which is cut much later in the season to protect young birds and chicks. Fieldwork with tractors is done earlier than normal to avoid damage to nests and, where they are visible, they are marked and avoided. We also have  extensive arable areas and  un-harvested crops for wintering birds, particularly finches.’ 

Achieving conservation benefits on the farm, has arisen in part from the use of rare breeds:  Clydesdale and Cleveland Bay Horses, Highland Ponies, Whitebred Shorthorn Cattle and Beef Shorthorn Cattle. These animals were originally bred to live on extensive natural farmland without modern intensive farming methods. These are the farming systems our ancestors favoured and it is no coincidence that they are more sympathetic to the natural heritage, as well as making this part of the Highlands more attractive for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Ruaridh would like to see more encouragement from Scottish Natural Heritage and SEERAD for farmers who choose extensive systems with traditional and minority breeds. 

The farming system is based upon a 30 cow Suckler Herd of Highland Cattle. All steers are kept through to finishing. Most of the cows are crossed to the Whitebred Shorthorn bull with heifers to be sold at two years old as hill cow replacements, a total of  about 80 cattle. We also have a 60 ewe North Country Cheviot  flock that is rotated round to try and control ragwart. After an absence of 14 years, sheep were reintroduced. ‘Although,’ said Ruaridh, ‘ we keep less than the 200 horses and ponies which my Grandfather had during the 50s and 60s, we will of course continue to produce the Highland Cattle and Highland Ponies we are best known for.’

To read more about the RSPB Lapwing Award click on the RSPB Logo below

"Farmer raises a Stink about sewage problem" !!

Ruaridh recently made it on to the front cover of the local newspaper for complaining to SEPA and the Water Board about a leaking sewar. The story made the front page and the picture can be seen below with two good Highland Steers in the background. The headline above did give me a chance to have a giggle.

Murdoch Of Creag Dhubh wins Horse of the Year Show 2001

Murdoch (Gaelic for Sea Warrior) was the first Highland Pony to win the "Harness Pony of the Year Award" at the Wembley based Horse of the Year Show in 2001, a huge achievement and a very happy end to a sad story. He was bred by Ruaridh out of a yellow dun mare, Bessie of Croila and was by the mouse dun stallion Gille-Bhan of Croila now in Germany). He had been kept as a stallion and only shown once in hand at the Black Isle show where he won the Stallion Class. Unfortunately he was injured while out on loan serving mares and had to be castrated at the Royal Dick Veterinary College when they announced his "wedding tackle" had been severely damaged. He was professionally broken to drive on the encouragement of Audrey Barron by Leslie Macronald LHHI of Sunnyside Farm, Cults, Aberdeen. Murdoch was a natural and after a short time on loan he was bought by a friend in Fife, Elinor Steven, and the rest is history. In addition to winning at HOYS in 2001 he has won at the BDS Scotland Show, he has several times had Champion and Reserve rosettes from the Royal Highland Show as a single and driven as a Tandem. He also competes in Horse driving Trials with Elinor as a single, tandem and as half of a pair. He returned to HOYS in 2002 driven by Joyce Simpson as a Tandem with Sophie of Strathmiglo when they were Reserve Champion, another first for Highland Ponies.

Murdoch of Creag Dhubh at the 2002 Highland Pony Society Breed Show driven as a Single to a Country Vehicle. Elinor's father, Mr Forgan, has restored this vehicle and many others and now has quite a collection. Elinor and her dad have also done some film work with their ponies and collection of restored vehicles.

Murdoch (mouse dun) and Elinor Steven competing as a pair at Dalmeny Horse Driving trials in 2003. If you are interested in driving and would like a driving pony then contact Ruaridh who should be able to help.

Croila Bloodlines in the USA and Canada

Roderick of Croila, below, HPS Registered Stallion, standing in Virginia, USA (S. Kyle of Croila d. Elcie of Croila)

There are now quite a number of Highland Ponies in the USA and Canada with the Ormiston Highland's "Croila" bloodlines represented very well in North America. Details of some of the ponies already imported to the USA can be found on the Kellwould Highland Ponies website by clicking on the flags below. Although none of the Canadian Ponies were bred by the Ormiston Family they do have quite a lot of Croila blood in them from the Glenbanchor Stud. These ponies are in British Columbia with the daughter of Mrs Mckay-Scobie of the Coulnore stud.  Quartz of Croila is another HPS licenced Stallion standing in the USA in California with other ponies located in Iowa. More details of Roderick of Croila can be found by clicking on the Kellwould Highland Ponies Logo below.

  Details of Highland Ponies in the USA and Canada

Details and Pictures of Roderick of Croila

Quartz of Croila above is standing at Lone Tree Farm in California with a family that is very keen on piping !

Details and Pictures of Quartz of Croila

Land Rover News

The Ormiston Family have owned a number of these off-road work horses over the years and one of the old favorites has just turned up again in a Museum !! RJB 102 is a Tracked Land Rover built by Carmichaels of Scotland. There were not that many built and this is the best known example left. Carmichaels donated it to the Land Rover Hertiage Museum at Gaydon near the Royal Show ground. The tracked Land Rover was used mainly for venison extraction and Cameron remembers having 20 hinds in it one time coming of the hill near Dalwhinnie. Of course people do not kill dearly normally in these numbers anymore. The vehicle had been bought new by Lord J. Arthur Rank (of film industry fame) for use on an estate near Nairn and grandfather, Ewan, had bought it from Lord Rank during the 1960's. The other claim this vehicle has to fame is that is was once used to rescue a team of Hydro Electric Board Lines men who had got stranded on the Corrieyarrick Pass between Laggan and Fort Augustus. The vehicle was sold in the early 1980's and I remember going down to start in a friends yard in Glasgow in 1983, that was the last time we saw it. It was quite easy to lift it of the tracks and put it back on road wheels. It was really amazing at negotiating soft boggy hill ground and at climbing over peat hags. Recently the family sold a 1956 Series 1 86" HST 635 ? that had been used at Strathmashie all its years to an Estate at Dallas (Scotland) where they hope to restore it to its former glory. Just before that Grandfather's old Land Rover, which was very rare, was sold to a buyer down south and has already appeared at some shows in un-restored condition. This was a 1951 Series 1 80" Station Wagon with a "Tickford" ash framed body on it. They produced up until the time that Land Rover came out with their own Station Wagon Model. See the pictures below of a similar vehicle. These Tickfords had a nice interior and even had wind up windows, 30 years before the rest of Land Rovers had them.

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