British Simmental Review 2018

Hector Macaskill
10.05.48 – 06.01.18
Farewell to Dear Friends
Hector was born in 1948 into a crofting family in Melvaig,
Wester Ross where he grew up with his brother Donald
Iain. Gaelic was the common language and he only
learned English at school in later years. Upon leaving
school at the age of 15, he worked on the family croft
and later as a shepherd on a farm near Gairloch. It was
there that he met his future wife Fiona Cameron and they
married in 1970. Two years later Hector and Fiona moved
to Woodhall farm near Innerwick, they were blessed with
4 daughters – Kirsty, Maj, Rhona and Jenny who helped on
the farm, consisting in the early days of Blackface sheep
and Hereford cross Friesian cattle.
His first association with the Simmental breed was
in 1976 when he purchased a bull from the Perth sales.
After satisfactory results with the progeny, the Woodhall
herd was established and grew to female numbers
well excess of 100. Hector developed a strong passion
and understanding of the genetics and later enjoyed
much success in the show and sale rings. He became a
very reputable breeder, travelling to countries such as
Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Australia and
Denmark and acted in many ways as an ambassador for
the UK. Hector had a terrific gift of remembering cattle
markings and their pedigrees; he was often referred
to as the ‘encyclopaedia’ of the breed. A competent
judge, he is one of a small number to have adjudicated
at the 4 Royals, as well as Premier events in Ireland
and Continental Europe. Many visitors from near and
far have had the
pleasure of Woodhall
hospitality over the
years, including
participants of the
World Congress in
2008. A strong and hardworking
council member for many years, he was rewarded with
the Presidency of the Simmental society in 2008 & 2009, a
position he held with great pride and competence.
Love for his large flock of Blackface sheep often
resulted in prize winning mule ewe lambs, and selling
over 400 in a single day was not uncommon at Stirling
market. It was also at these events where Hector
developed a close friendship with many breeders in the
sheep industry.
Hector passed away on the 6th January 2018, after
a degrading terminal illness, which he bore with great
dignity and fortitude. His quick wit and kind heart will
fondly be remembered by all who knew him well. He
will be sadly missed by many people including his fellow
breeders, good neighbours and friends but especially his
wife Fiona, daughters, sons in law and grandchildren, all
of which he was extremely proud.
On a personal note, I must say that after a lasting
relationship for over 30 years I have lost a special friend
and gentleman.
Cecil McIlwaine
SIMMENTAL REVIEW 2018
Charles Bruce
16/11/1927 - 30/8/2018
Chick was born and brought up at
Newtonmill, a dairy farm in Angus
with a bottling and doorstep delivery
business. Son of a farmer and WW1
veteran, he was the third generation
Bruce to make a living from the farm.
He lived and worked there till 1964
when he upped sticks and relocated
to Bemersyde Farm in the Scottish
Borders, where he set up a pedigree
herd of Ruby Red North Devon cattle.
Many championship rosettes followed from Exeter to
Perth, along with five supreme championships at the
RHASS Highland Show.
A new challenge followed in 1976 when he joined in
the importation of Simmental heifers from Switzerland,
taking 4 of the consignment back to Bemersyde. He
gradually built up the herd, winning championships at
both Perth and Carlisle bull sales along the way, and
producing many sires for both pedigree
breeders and commercial herds alike.
He was chairman of both Brechin
and Angus Federation of Young
Farmers. He chaired the Borders Crop
and Grassland Society and the local
NFU. In his youth he was a professional
sprinter, heavyweight Highland Games
competitor, and was also a keen curler
all his life.
He was a passionate and lifelong
stocksman and pedigree cattle breeder, always fun
loving with a twinkle in his eye. He will be sorely missed
by his wife Moira, sons Malcolm, Gordon and Stuart,
daughter in law Gillian and grandchildren Nicola, Grant,
Rebecca and Zoe, and by the many close friends and
acquaintances he made over the years.
Au revoir Chick.
M.+G. Bruce.
www.britishsimmental.co.uk
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