In Scotland ploughing matches started to be held in the late eighteenth century. By the first decade of the nineteenth century matches were held in a number of locations across Scotland and became more frequent in the following decades, with some becoming well-established at a relatively early date.
Because of their local importance accounts of them were published in local newspapers. They included information on the location of the matches, the number of ploughs that started, the award winners and the judges. They usually noted the soil conditions and the quality of the work. Sometimes they made comments on the number of attendees, the weather on the day, as well as the ploughing technologies. Some accounts also record the social activities after the matches.
The following accounts give a flavour of local ploughing matches in the Lothians in the 1840s:
“Ploughing match (from Caledonian mercury, 25 January 1840)
On Friday the 17th inst., thirty three ploughs stated in two fields of lea at Ravelrig, in the parish of Currie, the property of Robert Davidson, Esq, who had very handsomely given to the tenant, Mr Robert Proudfoot, Gorgie Mains, a sum to be awarded as prizes.
The ploughmen in Currie parish have long been held as excelling in their art, and in the present instance their character was well maintained by the remarkable straightness of the furrows, and the close observance to the depth and breadth of the furrow slices, as specified by the Judges.
The Judges, Messrs Stevenson, Penman, and Proudfoot, after a very careful inspection of the work, awarded the prizes as follows, viz-
North Field – 1st prize, John Glendinning, Currie; 2d J. Gardner, Cockburn; 3d William Sommerville, Shothead; 4th James Allan, Harley; 5th Edward Fleming, Riccarton Mains
South Field – 1st prize Andrew Anderson, Harley; 2d John Binnie, Cocklaw; 4th James Dunn, Malleny; 5th Thomas Cunningham, Kenleith.
The Judges, and a few of Mr Proudfoot’s other friends, afterwards dined at Gorgie Mains, and the party sent a most agreeable evening in discussing various important points connected with the agricultural improvements of the day.”
“Ploughing match (from Caledonian mercury, 17 January 1848)
The annual ploughing match of the Society of Farmers, in the parish of Temple, took place last the 14th curt on a field belonging to Mr Inglis, Roseberry-when thirty-five ploughs started in competition. The judges on the occasion were Messrs Dickson, Shewington; Ford, Craigmillar; and Gardner, Broutchrig, who, after a careful examination, and not without considerable difficulty, awarded the following prizes-
1st prize, Thomas Kerr, servant to Mr Wilson, Moorfoot
2nd James Murray, servant to Mr Scoon, Castleton
3rd Geo. Myles, servant to Mr Tait, Maudlie
4th Wm Graham, servant to Mr Inglis, Rosebery
5th A. Cowan, servant to Mr Scoon, Castleton
6th Archd. Girvan, servant to Mr Watson, Esperston
7. Geo. Shiell, sen. Servant to Mr Watson, Esperston
8th Alex. Hill, servant to Mr Inglis, Roseberry
During the competition, a sum was collected for distribution among the ploughmen who turned out the best groomed horses, and the best kept horses. As this was not previously known, it was quite astonishing to observe what a fine appearance the “prads” made, and reflects great credit on the men. The judges appointed for this were Messrs Stevenson, Redside-Fletcher, Carrington, and Burton, New Byres, who, after a minute inspection, awarded eight prizes. This is really an excellent mode of rewarding the men, and must eventually be of essential service to the masters, as it creates a spirit of emulation among the men to have their “teems” always in first rate condition. As this is the first time such prizes have been awarded in the parish of Temple, it is to be hoped a much larger sum will be collected for distribution next year. The day was all that could be desired, and the ploughing did great credit to all concerned.
In the evening the society, with a number of their friends, sat down to a most substantial dinner, prepared by Mr Wilson, Temple, in the parish school room. The chair was admirably filled by Francis Anderson, Esq, the commissioner on the Arniston estates, supported by the Rev. Mr Smith and Mr Inglis, Rosebery, and that of croupier most creditably by John Caldwell, Esq. Stobswell. The evening was spent in a most harmonious and social manner, and it was near the “witching hour of midnight” ere the farmers and their friends departed for their respective “ingles”, highly gratified with the whole proceedings.”
Penicuik Ploughing Match (from the Caledonian mercury, 20 November 1848)
The annual competition ploughing match betwixt the ploughmen on the estates of Penicuik and Lassward, belonging to the Right Hon Sir George Clerk, Bart, took place on the 7th inst on the farm of Cresswell, not far from Penicuik House. The arrangements judiciously made by Mr Manson, land factor on the estates, being completed, forty-three ploughs started in anxious competition at half-past seven o’clock morning, and accomplished the tasks allotted to them by four o’clock afternoon, when the judges, Mr Thomas Aitken, Hercus, Mr Steedman, Boghall, and Mr Ainslie, Ploverhall, who had witnessed and carefully inspected the workmanship during its progress, awarded the prizes by Sir George Clerk as follows:-
1. To James Burns, servant to Mr Stevenson, Mount Lothian.
2. To Andrew Laing, servant to Sir G. Clerk, Bart
3. To James Taylor, servant to do.
4. To James Borthwick, servant to Mr Stevenson, Mount Lothian
5. To John Watson, servant to Mr Inch, Bruntstane
6. To John Tod, servant to Mr McLean, Braidwood
7. To James Ballantine, servant to Mr Kilpatrick, Coats
8. To Walter Pagan, servant to Mr Stevenson, Mount Lothian
9. To Cosmo Ritchie, servant to John Trotter, Esq
10. To Wm. Gray, servant to Mr Jamieson, Edgefield
The recent improvements effected on this field afford very ample illustration of what Sir George Clerk, under the able management of his land factor, Mr Manson, has accomplished in every species of rural improvement on the extensive estate of Penicuik.”
