The Enduring Dynasty.
It is unique in the world of Highland Cattle to find a pedigree Fold, which has remained in the same ownership on the same land and continually registered Cattle for over one hundred years. The oldest pedigree herd that I can recall, which has remained in the same ownership for a longer period, is the Aberdeen Angus herd at Ballindalloch. This herd is said to have been founded in 1861 by Sir George McPherson Grant Bt and is still going strong to this day.
What do they have in common? Dedication, commitment and an understanding and love of the land on which they farmed. It is those factors, which have remained constant throughout the lifetime of the Achnacloich Fold. From the outset, the founder Mr Thomas A. Nelson was adamant that the policy would be to breed Highland Cattle that were ideally suited to the land on which they were kept and true to traditional Highland type, concentrating on the breed’s unique characteristics.
The same fundamental aims were to be continued under the watchful eye of Thomas E. Nelson who took over on the death of his father during the Great War. Thomas E. Nelson was not only to guide the Fold through the agricultural depression of the late nineteen twenties and early nineteen thirties, which saw many Highland Folds fail, being unable to endure the disastrous fall in livestock prices, but he was also to enjoy the unique distinction of setting the record price for a Highland male and a female at the same time, both having been Sired by the same bull.
On his death, in September 1977, the stewardship of the Fold passed to his widow, Mrs Jane Nelson, whose dedication and infectious enthusiasm saw Cattle from the Achnacloich Fold lay the foundation of the Highland Breed in the four corners of the World during the export boom of the nineteen eighties. It is an essential part of the itinerary of any Overseas Breed enthusiasts to include a tour of the Achnacloich Fold and Gardens under the guidance of Mrs Nelson who must be regarded as one of the greatest ambassador for the Highland Cattle Breed.
It was the aforementioned Sir George McPherson Grant Bt who said during a presentation made to him in 1904 for his services to the Aberdeen Angus breed: “ I will only say to you who are exhibitors of Cattle, that you must be prepared for your ups and downs, and the best advice I can give you is to preserve a philosophical mind, taking your ups very quietly and your down very cheerfully and you may be able to enjoy Cattle breeding as much as I have done”.
I firmly believe that it was a philosophy such as this that helped the Achnacloich Fold endure for over one hundred years. Not only was it held by the Nelson family, but also by all of the managers whose commitment and dedication developed the Fold through the decades whilst remaining true to the original concept and showing little regard to whatever fashion might have been in vogue at the time.
The name Achnacloich translated in English means “Field of Stones” and it was on those fields of stones that the seeds of this enduring dynasty were sown and flourished … and still do so today, proving to have been more fruitful than anyone could ever have imagined.
Achnacloich 1935 Prionnsa Bhuidhe 2nd of Kilchamaig (3795) standing above the “Field of Stones”
Cailean Mhor of Achnacloich (7507)
ACHNACLOICH STOCK BULL LIST
MALACHIE (1870) Born February 1902
Bred by the Earl of Southesk K.t.
Sire: Calum Rhiabhach 2nd of Atholl (1325)
Dam: Lady Maud (3831)
N’TOIRE-CHEARD OF KINLOCHMOIDART (2175) Born 2 January 1905
Bred by A.D&D MacGregor
Sire: Valentine (1750)
Dam: Bhan-A-Mhuileach IV of Kinlochmoidart (3658)
ROB RUADH 2nd OF BOCHASTLE (2491) Born Feb 1907
Bred by Mr John Stewart
Sire: Alastair of Farr (1761)
Dam: Ribhinn Ruadh of Bochastle (4274)
SEANALAIR 3RD OF MELFORD (2498) Born 9 Jan 1908
Bred by Major Stoddart MacLellan
Sire: Cedric of Dunlosit (1950)
Dam: Agnes Bhuidhe 2nd of Melford (5426)
DOUGLAS (2557) Born 1910
Bred by the Earl of Southesk K.t.
Sire: Marmion of Castle Grant (2170)
Dam: Princess Dolores (5296)
2nd Prize Senior Bull, Highland Show 1914
AN-CHEARD RUADH (2636) Born 4 Jan 1913
Home bred
Sire: N’toire Cheard of Kinlochmoidart (2175)
Dam: Ciorsdan of Achnacloich (6914)
GAISGEACH OF FARR (2725) Born 8 Jan 1912
Bred by W. D. McKenzie
Sire: Albannach (2092)
Dam: Helen Bhuidhe of Farr (5088)
SAIGHDEAN BUIDHE (3016) Born 19 June 1916
Bred by Messrs McLachlan of Kilbride
Sire: Seanailair Gaidhealach (2832)
Dam: Cherry Buidhe (9000)
AN-CHEARD RHIABHACH OF ACHNACLOICH (3044) Born 12 April 1918
Sire: An-Cheard Ruadh (2636)
Dam: Lady Betty of Achnacloich (9364)
ROYAL ERNEST (3252) Born 12 Jan 1921
Sire: Gille Ruadh of Kilchamaig (3136)
Dam: Annag Buidhe 1st of Tangy
MAJOR OF CULNADALLOCH (3165) Born 12 Jan 1921
Sire: Saighdean Buidhe (3016)
Dam: Mhoitearach Buidhe (9015)
GILLE BUIDHE OF VALLAY (3289) Born May 1921
Bred by Mr George Beverige
Sire: Alasdair Og (2859)
Dam: Buidheag 1st of Vallay (7840)
CULNADALLOCH 2ndOF ACHNACLOICH (3441) Born 12 May 1927
Sire: Royal Ernest (3252)
Dam: Mairi VII of Achnacloich (9549)
NIALL RUADH (3443) Born 3 Feb 1927
Bred by the Duke of Atholl K.t.
Sire: Niall Riabhach of Bochastle (3305)
Dam: Proiseag 3rd of Inverlochlarig
PRIONNSA BUIDHE OF ACHNACLOICH (3358)
Sire: Gille Buidhe of Vallay (3289)
Dam: Ciorsdan VII of Achnacloich
LOCHAN 2nd OF KILCHAMAIG (3358) Born March 1923
Bred by Miss L. Turner
Sire: An Cheard Ruadh (2636)
Dam: Blarag V (9103)
GILLE RHIABHACH 2nd OF INVERLOCHLARIG (2750) Born April 1912
Bred by John McNaughton
Sire: Domhnull Molach Rhiabhach of Stronvar (2705)
Dam: Molag Ruadh 3rd of Inverlochlarig (8579)
LAOCHAN OF ACHNACLOICH (3359) Born 27 Jan 1926
Sire: Laochan of Kilchamaig (3358)
Dam: Proiseag 3rd of Inverlochlaig
OSSIAN V OF SOUTHESK (3566) Born 21 Jan 1928
Bred by Earl of Southesk K.t.
Sire: Ossian Ban of Blair Atholl (3176)
Dam: Corrina IV (9401)
ARCHIBALD OF ATHOLL (3438) Born 15 Jan 1927
Bred by Duke of Atholl K.t.
Sire: Niall Riabhach of Bochastle (3305)
Dam: Bean Bhan XIII of Atholl
CULNADALLOCH–A–RITHIST OF ACHNACLOICH (3638) Born June 1930
Sire: Culnadalloch 2nd of Achnacloich (3441)
Dam: Capleadh IX of Achnacloich (10150)
OSSIAN OF ACHNACLOICH (3672) Born 23 Jan 1931
Sire: Ossian V of Southesk (3566)
Dam: Capleadh X of Achnacloich (10198)
AN SPAIDEIL RUADH OF KILLUNDINE (3708) Born 23 March 1932
Bred by Mrs Lees-Milne
Sire: An-Gille Siobhalt (3520)
Dam: Annag Ruadh IX of Atholl (10070)
CEATHARNACH OF KILMORE (3933) BORN 20 Jan 1936
Bred by Mr John Brown Kilmore
Sire: Barran Ruadh 2nd of Kilchamaig
Dam: Baravalla Og of Kilmore (9968)
PRIONNSA BHUIDHE 2nd OF KILCHAMAIG (3795) Born 1 Feb 1934
Bred by Miss L. Turner
Sire: Colkitto (3422)
Dam: Blarag X (9767)
MERNEAL OF QUOTHQUAN (4125) Born 27 Dec 1940
Bred by Miss Dunlop
Sire: Merneal of Killundine (3844)
Dam: Laochag 3rd of Quothquan (10907)
CALUM SEOLADAIR OF SMAULL (4254) Born 23 July 1943
Bred by A & W MacEachern
Sire: Fear Dione Ile (4023)
Dam: Peigi Ruadh of Smaull (11177)
CAINEAL OF BARBRECK (4214) Born 14 May 1943
Bred by James P. Dalgleish
Sire: Fear Maisach (4092)
Dam: Capleadh Ruadh 3rd of Barbreck (11233)
GAISGEACH RUADH OF BALLIEMORE (4591) Born 23 Jan 1948
Bred by Malcolm Tyson
Sire: Gaisgeach Buidhe of Lochduh (3990)
Dam: Bachy 2nd of Balliemore (12046)
CATHACH OF MINGARY (4593) Born 10 Jan 1948
Bred by The Right Hon. Lord Trent
Sire: Coirneil of Mingary (4233)
Dam: Ellit XX of Kilchamaig
CORNEIL RUADH OF MINGARY (4771) Born 1 June 1950
Bred by The Right Hon. Lord Trent
Sire: Coirneil of Mingary (4233)
Dam: Bean Ruadh 2nd of Kilchamaig
PRIONNSA DUBH 2nd OF ACHNACLOICH (5335) Born 2 Sept 1954
Sire: Coirneil Ruadh of Mingary (4771)
Dam: Proiseag Dubh of Achnacloich (13068)
CUNNARACH OF ACHNACLOICH (5494) Born 15 Jan 1956
Sire: Coirneil Ruadh of Mingary (4771)
Dam: Banarach Mhor 3rd of Achnacloich (12731)
MACIAIN OF BARBRECK (5522) Born 3 Dec 1956
Bred by James P. Dalgleish
Sire: John of Severie (5285)
Dam: Molag Bhuidhe of Barbreck (15949)
BARAN RUADH 2nd OF ACHNACLOICH (5555) Born 10 Jan 1956
Sire: Coirneil Ruadh of Mingary (4771)
Dam: Proiseag Dubh of Achnacloich (13068)
PADRUIG RUADH OF ACHNACLOICH (5702) Born 10 June 1960
Sire: MacIain of Barbreck (5522)
Dam: Proiseag Ruadh 2nd of Achnacloich (16309)
LAOCHLAN RUADH OF DOUNESIDE (5800) Born 28 March 1962
Bred by the MacRobert Trust
Sire: Laoch of Douneside (5188)
Dam: Laochag Ruadh 8th of Barbreck (13593)
UISDEAN MOR OF DOUNESIDE (5683) Born 10 Jan 1960
Bred by the MacRobert Trust
Sire: Uisedean Og of Mingary (5374)
Dam: Sobhrach Og 2nd of Carskiey (17176)
ALPIN OF DOUNESIDE (5854) Born 24 February 1963
Bred by the MacRobert Trust
Sire: Laoch of Douneside (5188)
Dam: Achavraid of Fordie (13967)
OSSIAN 4th OF ACHNACLOICH (5997) Born 21 Dec 1965
Sire: Alpin of Douneside (5854)
Dam: Capleadh 24th of Achnacloich (20029)
UILLEAM BUIDHE OF ACHNACLOICH (6158) Born 17 March 1969
Sire: MacIain of Barbreck (5522)
Dam: Banarach Mhor 19th Achnacloich (20024)
UILLEAM RHIABHACH OF ACHNACLOICH (6114) Born 15 Feb 1968
Sire: Alpin of Douneside (5854)
Dam: Neoinean Og 34th of Achnacloich (19212)
SEUMAS ILE (6156) Born 18 Feb 1969
Bred by Lord Margadale of Islay
Sire: Diarmid of Achnacloich (5759)
Dam: Elidh 27th of Barbreck (19412)
GILLE A GLEANN OF DOUNESIDE (6047) Born 24 April 1967
Bred by the MacRobert Trust
Sire: Exhibit of Strathallan (5874)
Dam: Lili-A-Gleann 7th of Douneside (20304)
CATHACH RHIABHACH OF ACHNACLOICH (6254) Born 24 April 1971
Sire: Alpin of Douneside (5854)
Dam: Neoinean Og 46th of Achnacloich (21123)
CAILEAN 2nd OF ACHNACLOICH (6253) Born 17 April 1971
Sire: Alpin of Douneside (5854)
Dam; Neoinean Og 37th of Achnacloich (19215)
TALASKER OF ACHNACLOICH (6311) Born 28 Dec 1971
Sire: Seumas Ile (6156)
Dam: Marsail 5th of Achnacloich (22634)
SEUMAS OF GLENFORSA (6277) Born 5 March 1972
Bred by the Department of Agriculture
Sire: Seumas of Douglas (5893)
Dam: Ellit 2nd of Killundine (19839)
RIGH DUBH 2nd OF ACHNACLOICH (6437) Born 3 Feb 1973
Sire: Gille-A-Gleann of Douneside (5683)
Dam: Dosan Dubh 2nd of Achnacloich
GALLAN OF ACHNACLOICH (6546) Born 7 Jan 1974
Sire: Uisdean Mor of Douneside (5683)
Dam: Malda 6th of Achnacloich (20039)
DOMHNULL DUBH OF ACHNACLOICH (6717) Born 1 Feb 1975
Sire: Righ Dubh 2nd of Achnacloich (6437)
Dam: Dosan Dubh 2nd of Achnacloich (20766)
MUILEACH OF ACHNACLOICH (6778) Born 1 June 1976
Sire: Seumas of Glenforsa (6277)
Dam: Sobhrach Og 40th of Achnacloich (21442)
MAIGHSTIR OF ACHNACLOICH (6833) Born 11 March 1977
Sire: Gille-A-Gleann of Douneside (6047)
Dam: Malda 12th of Achnacloich (21741)
KENNAPOLE OF ROTHIEMURCHUS (6759) Born 16 April 1977
Bred by John Grant of Rothiemurchus
Sire: Robert of Benmore (6335)
Dam: Uilleamena 9th of Rothiemurchus
NAOISE OF ACHNACLOICH (6892) Born 27 Feb 1978
Sire: Muileach of Achnacloich (6778)
Dam: Sobhrach Og 62nd of Achnacloich (24365)
PIBROCH OF ACHNACLOICH (6979) Born April 1980
Sire: Cailean 2nd of Achnacloich (6253)
Dam: Neoinean Ruadh 39th of Achnacloich (24369)
RUNNAG OF ACHNACLOICH (7024) Born 4 April 1981
Sire: Kennapole of Rothiemurchus (6759)
Dam: Princess Ealasaid 12th Achnacloich (21752)
PRIONNSA 4th OF LEYS (6792) Born 10 April 1977
Bred by K. W. Walker
Sire: Coirneil Ile (6248)
Dam: Princess 12th of Leys (23909)
TEARLACH OG OF ACHNACLOICH (7120) Born 17 Jan 1983
Sire: Pibroch of Achnacloich (6979)
Dam: Malda 28th of Achnacloich (24903)
JOCK 25th OF LEYS (7129) Born 14 of March 1983
Bred by K. W. Walker
Sire: Prionnsa 4th of Leys (6792)
Dam: Lady 15th of Leys (24472)
WALLACE OF ACHNACLOICH (7199) Born 7 Feb 1985
Sire: Prionnsa 4th of Leys (6792)
Dam: Cuailean 56th of Achnacloich (42909)
DONALD RUADH 3rd OF GLENOGLE (6909) Born 5 April 1980
Bred by Ewan Cameron
Sire: Ben Screel of Scone Palace (6427)
Dam: Anabla 9th of Leys (24468)
PROISEL UILLEAM OF THURSDEN (7157) Born 12 March 1985
Bred by Allan Holt
Sire: Uilleam Bhuidhe of Ormsary (6875)
Dam: Lileas of Harwes (29300)
PIBROCH 3rd OF ACHNACLOICH (7504) Born 20 Feb 1987
Sire Jock 25th of Leys (7129)
Dam: Neoinean Ruadh 39th of Achnacloich (24369)
GLENFIDDICH OF ACHNACLOICH (7506) Born 21 March 1988
Sire: Donald Ruadh 3rd of Glenogle (6909)
Dam: Dosan Og 53rd of Achnacloich (30301)
AONGHAS OF SCOURIE (7487) Born 6 May 1988
Bred by A & A MacKenzie
Sire: Uillean 2nd of Glenquich (7156)
Dam: Frangag Bhan of Torloisk (30134)
CAMPBELL OF PENNYGOWN (7364) Born 23 March 1988
Bred by Donald MacGillivray
Sire: Campbell of Glengorm (6978)
Dam: Anna Mhor 2nd of Pennygown (27840)
CAILEAN MHOR OF ACHNACLOICH (7507) Born 7 July 1988
Sire: Donald Ruadh 3rd of Glenogle (6909)
Dam: Banarach Mhor 53rd Achnacloich (28978)
DOMHNULL BEAUSACH OF ACHNACLOICH (7949) Born 8 Dec 1991
Sire: Donald Ruadh 3rd of Glenogle (6909)
Dam: Cuailean 62nd of Achnacloich (27892)
IAIN OG 2nd OF PENNYGOWN (7144) Born 2 April 1992
Bred by Donald MacGillivray
Sire: Jock of Pennygown (7569)
Dam: Mairi Ruadh 4th of Pennygown (32257)
FEAR BRATAICH OF GLENGORM (8146) Born 17 March 1993
Bred by Mrs J. Nelson
Sire: Coinneach of Pollock (7457)
Dam: Mairian 3rd of Glengorm (33095)
ALASDAIR MOR OF CALLACHALLY (7935) Born 14 May 1992
Bred by Hugh McPhail
Sire: Toisiche Mor of Torloisk (7334)
Dam: Anna Mhor of Callachally (35021)
RUAIRIDH RUADH OF INVERSNAID (8479) Born 19 April 1996
Bred by Mr Andre Goulancourt
Sire: Seumas of Kingairloch (7976)
Dam: Seudag Bo Fhionn of Samsiston (34874)
AONGHAS OF TORLOISK (8980) Born 19 Jan 1999
Bred by Captain Farquharson’s Trust
Sire: Iain Og of Pennygown (7744)
Dam: Una Bhuidhe 4th of Torloisk (39021)