0:00:04 > 0:00:06Farming is a risky business.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08SHEEP BLEATS
0:00:08 > 0:00:11And when it's time to make money, the stakes are high.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Thainstone Mart, one of Europe's biggest livestock markets.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20You want perfection, there it is. That is some machine.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Sheep, cattle and machinery auctioned to the highest bidder
0:00:25 > 0:00:26day in, day out.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Farmers spend months getting ready for their big sales day.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35You foul brute.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38And buyers need nerves of steel to bag the bargains.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Folk can easily get carried away.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43It's a bit of an adrenaline thing, bidding.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Fortunes can be made, and dreams can be dashed.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49All in the blink of an eye.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Always expect the unexpected, eh?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Welcome to...
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Everyone's up against it at the mart this week.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07The Simpsons have to get their sheep to market across one of the
0:01:07 > 0:01:10most dangerous stretches of water in the world.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Anybody that hasn't had a silent prayer at sea I think is a liar.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18Are you for a go?
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Father and son team John and Ewan Gordon face a difficult delivery.
0:01:24 > 0:01:25She's just doing nothing to help.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31And yard man Robbie has to deal with a tricky tractor.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33There's nae enough power in the battery.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Can he get it working before the machinery sale grinds to a halt?
0:01:37 > 0:01:39ENGINE SPUTTERS
0:01:44 > 0:01:48It's early autumn at Thainstone, and sales manager John Roy is
0:01:48 > 0:01:51gearing up for one of the busiest machinery sales of the year.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Fit like, if you just gae doon the other side of the crane,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56just park in next tae it.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58And there's a lot of stuff to shift.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03We've got telescopics, 21-tonne diggers, loading shovels,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06we've got tractors, vans, 4x4s and commercials.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09You then move over into the builders section.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11There'll be nearly 4,000 lots for sale,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14and thousands of pounds at stake.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Then across the road we've got the Portakabins,
0:02:16 > 0:02:17we've got the containers.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19The yard is open for viewing,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21and prospective buyers are eyeing up the lots.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26No, that's not really my thing - too rusty.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Machinery dealers Steve and Claire Macpherson have come 250 miles
0:02:30 > 0:02:32from Castle Douglas for the sale.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- There's a New Holland TX34, and it is...- 32.
0:02:36 > 0:02:3932, sorry, it's M reg.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41They're looking for bargains,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43and Claire won't be taking no for an answer.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47And as long as the auctioneer knows that I'm there to bid and not
0:02:47 > 0:02:50a bystander, and if he thinks I'm a bystander
0:02:50 > 0:02:52I really let myself be known!
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- About 4,000.- OK.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58The tractor is added to the list of potential purchases.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Also for sale is this recovery truck.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04ENGINE STARTS
0:03:04 > 0:03:08This has come from a local authority. Scammell 6x4 wrecker.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Er, 1979, probably been ex-army by the look of it.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15And it's attracting a lot of interest.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16I may buy it, I may not.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Depends on the price today.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Gary Fraser owns a recovery business,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and he can use the Scammell.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Well, that truck there is very, very capable of doing a job.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33They're few and far between, they're very collectable as lorries,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38so it's going to either be sold to a recovery man like myself or
0:03:38 > 0:03:40someone who wants to collect it and restore it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Someone like rival bidder Graham Donald.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47It's an awesome truck, it's really...
0:03:47 > 0:03:51It's a good part of history and, er, that's what I really like about it.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54So we'll have a go at bidding for it, and if I don't get it,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58I don't get it, but hopefully somebody can get it
0:03:58 > 0:04:01and put it back to its original condition.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Graham hopes it's a project that he and his son can take on together.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07But only if the price is right.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11I might go up to 4,000 or, maybe, I don't know.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16But we'll just see how it goes and see what happens.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18If he wants to bag this truck at the sale,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Graham will have his work cut out.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24And so will John Roy, if he ever gets to the end of his list.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27You could turn up here with nothing,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30you could buy everything you need to build a house or build a shed.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32If you can't get it home,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35you could buy a lorry or a trailer or a truck to put it on.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37If you cannae get it up, you could buy a crane.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40So there's something here for everybody.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47John Roy's not the only man with his hands full.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50On his farm near Huntly...
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Come on, shift, you dashed thing!
0:04:52 > 0:04:54They're telling me there's a cow calved!
0:04:54 > 0:04:56They...!
0:04:56 > 0:04:59..farmer John Gordon is having trouble with his Wi-Fi.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Come on, the dashed...! The thing's nae... Come on!
0:05:05 > 0:05:08The internet system he uses to monitor his cow shed was
0:05:08 > 0:05:09his son Ewan's idea.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I've been at Dad for a while to try and get one,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16but he always thought, "Oh, I've managed for years without it,"
0:05:16 > 0:05:18but I finally managed to convince him.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It cost quite a bit of money to install to start with,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24but you just have to save one or two calves and it's, er, paid.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26But it's not foolproof.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Right, false alarm, boys.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31My mistake.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35Now, you wait your turn.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40John's expecting 120 calves to be born on his farm over the next
0:05:40 > 0:05:44few weeks to take the place of his current crop that he's about
0:05:44 > 0:05:46to sell at Thainstone.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Morning, John, how are you the day?
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Good morning, Mr Angus, you're well?
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Head cattle auctioneer John Angus has arrived from the mart to
0:05:54 > 0:05:57look over the year-old calves and give John some idea of what
0:05:57 > 0:05:59they might achieve at auction.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01The summer has a lot to do with that,
0:06:01 > 0:06:02but there's really good shapes.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04They've great skins on 'em.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Aye, they're just fine kind of thriving cattle.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08Got some bullock there.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12They look good, but what are they worth?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15So what do you expect for 'em this year, John?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Erm, I would like to think they're worth paying 10.50.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21I'll be disappointed if they're much less than that.
0:06:21 > 0:06:2410.50's achievable.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- Hope so.- Yeah. - Them prices kind of...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29At least you said 10.50, nae 11.50, that's for sure.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- 11.50, no, I'm a realist. - Yes, that's nae so bad, aye.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34With one eye on this year's income,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37John and Ewan have still got to take care of next year's.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Gosh, kicking and pulling back at the same time, which...
0:06:43 > 0:06:44disnae help.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49In the cow shed, the father and son team are dealing with
0:06:49 > 0:06:51a difficult delivery.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54She's just doing nothing to help.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Are you for a go?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58The calf isn't in the correct position,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and the contractions appear to have stopped.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04If the cow is not actually getting on with the work herself,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07you know, then you've got to intervene.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10They make the decision to pull the calf out.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17After tying a rope around the calf's feet, they have to use a jack.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18Oh, there we go.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Now, that's pretty good.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Good healthy calf.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32Now, he's clear...
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Quite bright, the boy.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38- Sure she'll be fine.- Yep.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Success.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Pretty satisfied because you've spent all year looking after
0:07:50 > 0:07:52this cow, getting her to this day,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and then when she produces a living calf it's all good,
0:07:55 > 0:08:00and hopefully she'll get off to the best start possible in life.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02A newborn calf is added to the herd
0:08:02 > 0:08:05as the year-old ones are about to leave.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08They'll need to make a good price at the mart if John and Ewan are
0:08:08 > 0:08:10to keep investing in the farm.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It's nearly seven in the morning on machinery auction day,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and yard supervisor Robbie Cruickshank is opening up.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It's usually a busy day, the day of the sale, like.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37So you're kept on your toes and it's unpredictable.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Very unpredictable.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42It's quiet and peaceful just now but that'll all change
0:08:42 > 0:08:43as the day goes on.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Sales manager John Roy is gearing up for a hectic day.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55I didnae sleep. Maybe got about three hours, but that's typical.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Just the adrenaline and the nerves, so... But we'll be OK.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Even got my lucky socks on, so, no, very excited.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It's always a great buzz, great atmosphere.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08No, I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a great day.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10But not everyone's so keen.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Jeez, there's some amount of stuff in here!
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Surely this is nae the front line, is it?
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Oh, it is! That means the backings is to come oot first!
0:09:21 > 0:09:24What's happening here?
0:09:24 > 0:09:25It's going to be a busy day.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27We'll see you about suppertime, I would think.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28Auctioneer Mark Barrack
0:09:28 > 0:09:30is ready to get things rolling with the small plant.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Right, good morning, ladies and gentlemen, just gather round,
0:09:33 > 0:09:34making a start to the sale today.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Please bid quickly and have your cards and numbers ready to show.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41While Mark sells, John Roy fields phone calls.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Aye, we've just sold that one, Philip...
0:09:43 > 0:09:46And Robbie starts moving the heavy machinery and plant.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Robert! Gie it full throttle!
0:09:49 > 0:09:51It makes a change from moving livestock.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56You're nae liable to get kicked the same the day, like, but...
0:09:56 > 0:09:58maybe liable to get run over, that's aboot it.
0:09:58 > 0:10:013,900, thank you! At £66,000, additional...
0:10:01 > 0:10:04It goes on the market at 60, £30, thank you...!
0:10:06 > 0:10:07With his sales flying thick and fast,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11it's time for Mark to take over the drive-through sale.
0:10:11 > 0:10:158,500, 9,000. Come again, 9,000.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17The heavy machinery is on the move.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Well, most of it.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21There's nae enough power in the battery!
0:10:21 > 0:10:23One of the tractors is stuck.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Definitely the power that's gone oot.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30If they can't get it started, it will hold the whole auction up.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44The sale has ground to a halt, and time is money.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45Watch yourself.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Success! But maybe Robbie's done too good a job.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Might be a problem wi' that!
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Cannae get the throttle to shut doon!
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Now the throttle's bust.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05But at least the auction's back on.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12That's us ready for the off.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16200 miles north of Thainstone in Caithness, farmer
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Willie Simpson and his son Jamie are about to round up their sheep.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25That's an old fisherman's tradition,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28you should always try and turn your boat clockwise with the sun.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31It wards off bad juju!
0:11:35 > 0:11:38To collect their sheep, they're about to cross one of the
0:11:38 > 0:11:43most dangerous stretches of water in the world - the Pentland Firth.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45And they have to beat the weather.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48We've only got five days now left of market,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50so we've got to get them home on time.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Thursday, Friday's not looking good at all.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Weekend is pretty mixed, and the sale's on Monday,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59so this is pretty much the day to do the job, so...
0:11:59 > 0:12:00The sheep are on Stroma,
0:12:00 > 0:12:05which lies two miles off the coast between the mainland and Orkney.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07The trip may be short, but it's not easy.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14Well, it's a notorious stretch of water, from tidal streams.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19I think I'm making a bad job of steering but I'm doing my best.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Anybody that hasnae had a silent prayer at sea I think is...
0:12:23 > 0:12:24a liar.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34That's us. It is a little bit narrow.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Stroma once had a population of nearly 400,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42but today the only residents are Willie's sheep.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Farming on Stroma is time-consuming, and more expensive than farming
0:12:47 > 0:12:52on the mainland, so Willie needs a good price for his livestock.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54I look forward to the...
0:12:54 > 0:12:57sailing with the lambs, it's really what you would call my harvest.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00We don't have a yearly income, like an all-round income, so,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04as I say, yes, I'm looking forward to getting some money!
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Before he can sell the sheep, he's got to get them back to the
0:13:07 > 0:13:12mainland, and a crucial piece of equipment is the magic carpet.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14This is to stop the sheep from sliding on the deck.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19They've got a bit of a job keeping to their feet on, erm,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21the sea anyway, so this helps them.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It disnae do your carpet any good, I must admit.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27So now that's us ready to load.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32The additional work in keeping sheep on Stroma
0:13:32 > 0:13:34does have a useful purpose.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37They help manage the land by keeping grass levels down,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40but the island location can cause problems for Willie.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Today I think may be our last chance to get all the sheep
0:13:45 > 0:13:46and lambs off to market.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Which is a problem that you wouldn't have on the mainland,
0:13:50 > 0:13:51no matter what the weather was doing.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Wind wouldn't affect you for getting your lambs to market,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57but it does have a little bit of an effect on us here.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02But mainland or island, sheep are always tricky customers.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Go on!
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Doesn't sway like a fishing boat any longer.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Loaded up with 60 sheep,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18it's only the first of three trips the Simpsons will have to make
0:14:18 > 0:14:20before the weather closes in.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31At Thainstone, the machinery auction is in full swing.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35And getting ready to bid are Clare and Steve McPherson.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37And it's not going to be an easy day.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40It's as busy as I've ever seen it,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43so nothing is going to be cheap, I don't think...
0:14:44 > 0:14:46..which is good for the sale and bad for us.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49They're machinery dealers,
0:14:49 > 0:14:54and the sale is full of farmers looking to cut out the middleman.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Farmer buyers will pay more than a dealer will.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Obviously, because we are buying the stuff to sell to them.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02But bargains are hard to come by.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06The McPhersons still haven't picked up anything from the list.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09'50, 60, 80, 2,000.'
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Steve is hoping his luck will change when he tries to buy this baler.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15At 2,800, conditional...
0:15:15 > 0:15:17He gets it for £2,800.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20That's one more item than wife Clare's managed.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23And he can't wait to tell her about it.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24I'm winning so far.
0:15:26 > 0:15:27- Today is not over.- No, I know.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Clare's up next at the drive-through auction.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35But she's not fazed by the competition.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38I'm used to a male...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41male environment with my husband being in machinery,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45so I'm not intimidated by other men.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48I just get on with the job.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Clare's getting ready to bid on the tractor they picked out earlier.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54I just want to even the scores.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Steven's ahead of the game at the minute,
0:15:57 > 0:15:58and I need to even up here.
0:16:00 > 0:16:024,000?
0:16:02 > 0:16:033? 2,000 bid.
0:16:03 > 0:16:042,000 bid.
0:16:04 > 0:16:052,200. 2,400.
0:16:05 > 0:16:072,600. 2,800.
0:16:07 > 0:16:083,000. 3,200.
0:16:08 > 0:16:093,400.
0:16:09 > 0:16:103,600.
0:16:10 > 0:16:123,800. 4,000.
0:16:12 > 0:16:134,200.
0:16:13 > 0:16:194,200. 4,200. Coming in, 4,200 bid. 4,200. 4,200.
0:16:19 > 0:16:204,300. 4,400.
0:16:20 > 0:16:234,400. 4,400.
0:16:23 > 0:16:254,400. 4,400. 4,400.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Thank you, madam. 4,400...
0:16:29 > 0:16:30There was a bit of a pause in the middle of it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I thought it I was going to get it,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and then somebody started up the bidding again.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36They bid it up a little bit more than I wanted,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38but I got it in the end.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Clare spent nearly £4,500.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44But there's still some change left over.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46I'm going to stop for an ice cream now.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50That's one-auction-all with husband Steve.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Let's hope that tub's for him.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Right, from the council, there.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00We've got the Scammell Recovery.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01On the other side of the yard,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Mark Barrack is preparing to auction off this Scammell.
0:17:04 > 0:17:051979.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I bet she could tell a few stories this evening.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Hoping to drive the truck home are rival bidders Graham Donald
0:17:12 > 0:17:13and Gary Fraser.
0:17:13 > 0:17:1710,000. Who'll start me £5,000?
0:17:17 > 0:17:193,000 bid. £3,000 bid.
0:17:19 > 0:17:213,200. 3,500.
0:17:21 > 0:17:233,800.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Graham reaches his £4,000 limit early.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28It's away.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31That's us. That's our limit gone.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33But Gary's only just started.
0:17:33 > 0:17:354,800. 5,000.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The bidding escalates rapidly and soon Gary is left in a duel
0:17:38 > 0:17:40with the man in the black cap.
0:17:40 > 0:17:447,500 bid. 7,800. 8,000.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46The bid is with Gary.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48But auctioneer Mark won't let it go.
0:17:48 > 0:17:518,000 all done.
0:17:51 > 0:17:548,000 be the last call. 8,200. 8,500.
0:17:54 > 0:17:588,500. 8,500. 8,500.
0:17:58 > 0:18:018,500, last at 8,500.
0:18:01 > 0:18:038,800. Have a little toy here to work on.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- 8,800. 8,800.- I've got enough toys to work on!
0:18:09 > 0:18:158,800 bid. 8,800. £8,800 to be sold, thank you. 8,800.
0:18:15 > 0:18:198,800. Gary and Graham both missed out.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21But I didnae get it.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Nae that good for me, like. It's good to see it going to a home.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27It's what it deserves.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30It was between me to use it or somebody to collect it,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33and it went to the guy who's going to collect and refurbish it,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and all the best to him for doing that.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Gary is secretly relieved.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I have one already. I didnae really need two.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41HE LAUGHS
0:18:41 > 0:18:43There we go.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47As the Scammell makes its way to its new home,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and the sale winds down,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52John Roy can finally take it easy.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58But Robbie's looking forward to something a little stronger.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00I could do with a pint, like.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04I'm thirsty with this kind of heat, like.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06It's been fine, like.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08I would say, all in all, it's been nae a bad day.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Caithness farmers Willie and Jamie Simpson
0:19:17 > 0:19:19are transporting their livestock
0:19:19 > 0:19:23across the dangerous tidal waters of the Pentland Firth.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Aye, they were back in Stroma eating grass,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29thinking that everything was all right.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But now they're kind of getting a wee bit of an adventure now.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38They're having to make three trips to transport their 170 lambs.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40The state of the sea means they can't load the boat
0:19:40 > 0:19:42as much as they'd like.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Aye, this is quite a bumpy journey for them.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48That's why we've not got such a big load on.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52The bigger the load, the more the boat will shift
0:19:52 > 0:19:53and the more water will come in.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54It scuppers at the back here,
0:19:54 > 0:19:56so we've got to try and keep the weight up here.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Willie's fighting against the tide all the way.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08You're pointing west and travelling south.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Jamie's looking a little bit wet, but the lambs are OK.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19The lambs don't appear to be seasick,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22and the magic carpet seems to be doing its job.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Just got to try and keep them all on their feet
0:20:26 > 0:20:28till we get to the other side. That's the mission.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Loading the livestock onto the trailer on the quayside
0:20:33 > 0:20:36is the last obstacle on the journey from the island.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Hopefully, this will go just as well
0:20:40 > 0:20:42as what the loading did.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Hopefully.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52That's it. They're looking not too bad.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54They had a bit of a splashy trip over,
0:20:54 > 0:20:55but it can't be helped.
0:20:58 > 0:21:0061 went on. Hopefully, 61 will come off.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Wayyyy!
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Quite happy to get them to the mainland.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19At least I've got something for market now. Better than nothing.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Piggyback temporary.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26With the sheep loaded and ready to be sold,
0:21:26 > 0:21:28there's one job left before the weather closes in.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31We're off to clean the carpet.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34We've got to get it ready to go back in my mum's living room.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37So this is like a big washing machine, really.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43There we are now. Ready for the living room again.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52It's a new day at Thainstone.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58And in the pens, father and son John and Ewan Gordon
0:21:58 > 0:22:00are getting ready to sell 79 of their year-old calves.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07- That's good stots, you see.- That's like ten...or something, that beast.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12It's the culmination of 12 months of hard work.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Today is a massive day in our calendar.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19So much riding on the outcome of what happens in the sale ring.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23The auction system, it's a great way to sell cattle.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's the best way to sell cattle.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27And we'll just wait and see how we get on.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33The Gordons are selling 29 female heifers and 50 male steers.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Realistically, I'd like to see these steers making £1,050.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45If the heifers can make £1,000 each, that would be good.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48It would cover our costs. You know, we don't make much at that,
0:22:48 > 0:22:49at the end of the day.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51But, you know, you need to make a wee bit
0:22:51 > 0:22:54so you can reinvest back in your business again.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59With the sale under way, it's down to the bidders and auctioneer
0:22:59 > 0:23:02John Angus to get the Gordons what they need.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05You get a draught when you come in here.
0:23:05 > 0:23:0820, 40, 60, 80, 11...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11The steers are up first, and things start well.
0:23:11 > 0:23:1550, 60, 70, at 1,170, 1,170...
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Mr Stewart...
0:23:17 > 0:23:21John and Ewan's 79 cattle are spread over 24 lots.
0:23:21 > 0:23:231,160.
0:23:27 > 0:23:281,085.
0:23:30 > 0:23:3250. £50.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37Even during the sale, Ewan can't help checking up on things at home.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40We've got a camera at home to keep an eye on the calving cows.
0:23:40 > 0:23:421,085.
0:23:42 > 0:23:4385.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46You can just look round the shed.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Make sure there's no cows calving.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Keep them coming, then, one, two, three, four, five, six.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53You've just got to keep an eye on them,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and make sure they're not going to calve when you're here.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59And, obviously, you've got to rush home and see to them.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01On we go to the Wellhead heifers now.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Show that ane off, Rory.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05The heifers are next in the ring.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08And although they won't make as much as the steers,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11John's hoping they'll keep the average up.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15£1,080 bid. Top drop. 1,080. £1,080.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19We'll have more of that.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24OK. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, John.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28The steers went for nearly £1,100 each.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32And the heifers, almost 1,000,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35giving them an average of £1,042 a head.
0:24:35 > 0:24:41But the Gordons have already got the money spent, or at least Ewan does.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43This young man here is determined to spend money
0:24:43 > 0:24:46and we're about to put up another cattle court
0:24:46 > 0:24:48to try and keep more cows.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51This money just disappears like snow off a dyke.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54You've always got to try and improve the business
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and take the business forward a step.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58It's fine that they've all been sold,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and that's it for another year.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02A successful sale for the Gordons.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11And at Quoybrae in Caithness,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13the mart's most northerly outpost,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Willie and Jamie Simpson are hoping for the same
0:25:16 > 0:25:18with their island lambs.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22They're a little bit dirtier than what I would have liked them to be.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25The sheep are thriving after their sea crossing.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Whoever buys them now, hopefully, they'll come on like mushrooms.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Willie is hoping for an average of over £50 per head for his lambs
0:25:31 > 0:25:34to cover the added expense of their island upbringing.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Big day today. When we sell our lambs, that's our yearly income.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43So it's all in one go, really.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47There is a lot riding on today's sale for the Simpsons.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49But Willie's son Jamie knows
0:25:49 > 0:25:52not to count his chickens before they're hatched.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Prices in the market fluctuate so much.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56I mean, one week you'll hit a jackpot,
0:25:56 > 0:25:57and then the week after,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59the market is just flooded with stock,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01and then your prices are way down.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04It's all about when you hit the market.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07My dad is pretty nervous for now.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09He always gets a bit nervous when we go to sell the stock,
0:26:09 > 0:26:13like any farmer, because this is what you work for the whole year.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Anything in the mid-50s is good news for Willie.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19And things start well.
0:26:19 > 0:26:2256.50. 56.50. 56.50.
0:26:24 > 0:26:2956.50. But his next lot only go for £52 each.
0:26:30 > 0:26:3252, 52, 52, 52.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37It's down to his lot of ewe lambs to try and bump up the average.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43£60 for them. 60 bid. £60. 61. 62.
0:26:43 > 0:26:4463. £63.
0:26:44 > 0:26:4664. 64. 64, far away...
0:26:49 > 0:26:55£64. Making an average day into a good one for Willie and Jamie.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- That's us.- They were in the range I was expecting.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I was expecting the mid-50s.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00That's where my wether lambs came in.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04My ewe lambs was quite good. They made just over 60 so...
0:27:06 > 0:27:09I'm happy. Yeah. I'm happy, yeah.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11I'm trying not to show that I'm happy
0:27:11 > 0:27:14because you don't want to be too pleased with yourself
0:27:14 > 0:27:15because then they'll be thinking
0:27:15 > 0:27:16that I'm getting too much.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23Despite the attempt at a poker face, Willie can't hide his satisfaction.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25We're heading for the office now
0:27:25 > 0:27:30to see if we can reap the rewards for all our hard work.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32This is the good bit.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35And he's already got an idea of what to spend the money on.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36So, yes, that's what we're here for.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39We're just waiting for the ink to dry.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Yeah, that's £9,120...
0:27:43 > 0:27:45..and 46 pence.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Maybe we'll be able to afford a new carpet now.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Fitted.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Off we go.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59The mart is hitting the road next time.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01See what you think they're worth.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Auctioneer Colin Slessor is catching up with an old friend.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07If you get that, I'll dance at your silver wedding.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Charlie Morrison does his best to build up the pension pot
0:28:13 > 0:28:16for retiring farmers Gordon and Lorna Hector...
0:28:16 > 0:28:18What a big crowd today.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21As long as there's plenty of money, that's the main thing.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23BULL LOWS
0:28:23 > 0:28:27..and an obstreperous bull gives his handler a hard time.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Will he behave himself in the ring?
0:28:30 > 0:28:32BULL LOWS