Most of the accounts of the Highland show provide an overall account of what implements and machines were on display throughout the implement yard and the motion yard.
A small number of accounts published in newspapers in north-east Scotland wrote articles on the show from a north-eastern perspective. These drew attention to the makers from the north-east that were exhibiting their manufactures at the show. This not only showed what they were exhibiting but also what the north eastern makers were contributing to the show. For agriculturists, it could also provide them with information on what their local makers were making and who they could purchase items from.
Banffshire journal and general advertiser provided one such account in its pages on 24 July 1877. It was a lengthy and detailed account and provides invaluable information on what makers in the region were making and exhibiting. It is quoted at length:
“Implements
The implement yard of the Highland Society always affords scope for a day’s pleasure and instruction, even although as on this occasion there are few novelties of invention. To-day the stands are mostly in complete order, and the heavy machinery in readiness for being put in motion. The number of heavy engines and machines for motion are fewer than they need to be at southern exhibitions. Many are devoted to various implements of husbandry, and among these some of the most attractive are from the northern counties.
Banff is worthily represented by the products of the Foundry of Messrs G. W. Murray & Co. They have one of the largest stands in the yard, no. 130, of 200 feet in length, and display thirty-three different machines and implements. The greatest novelty is perhaps the patent one way plough, which is now ranking as a marked success for use on the farm. They have various specimens of single and double furrow ploughs, thrashing machines, including the successful “Tiny” thrasher, chain pumps, oilcake mills, and various reapers by Hornsby and Wood. Messrs Murray have also a stand of machinery in motion, very much like that which attracted so much attention at Aberdeen last year. Another Banff exhibitor is Mr Francis Murison, Itlaw, the inventor and patentee of the one way plough and combined drill plough, which he shows along with a turnip lifter and drill harrow combined.
The county of Aberdeen is also well represented in the implement yard. Messrs Sellar & Son of Huntly show as usual a selection of ploughs most highly finished. They have samples of the digger or cultivator with two and three breasts, invented by Mr J. W. Barclay, MP; various patent harrows invented by Mr R. Sellar, and grubbers and drill scufflers. Messrs Craig & Clark, Oldmeldrum, have brought prominently forward in connection with their circular-framed grubber or scarifier a combined cultivator and digger which has been tested in Aberdeenshire with complete success, and has been rewarded with the gold medal of the Royal English Society. Several Peterhead firms exhibit. Messrs Mitchell & Son have in one stand under cover the patent farm yard manure distributor, invented by Mr John Fraser. In an open stand they display Pirie’s ploughs, sowing machines and reapers. Mr Jas Simpson, Peterhead, exhibits a broadcast sowing machine.
The city of Aberdeen has several representatives in the implement department. The chief of these are Messrs B. Reid & Co., who in a large stand (130 feet) show various drill and broadcast sowers, of which they are patentees and makers, horse rakes, hand thrashing machines, reapers by various inventors, and besides general agricultural implements, a selection of wire work. Messrs Harper & Co., Aberdeen, have a stand with wire foot bridge, and wire bowers, with iron columns. Messrs Davidson, Aberdeen, have a stand with seven specimens of springed vehicles.
The city of Aberdeen has several representatives in the implement department. The chief of these are Messrs B. Reid & Co., who in a large stand (130 feet) show various drill and broadcast sowers, of which they are patentees and makers, horse rakes, hand thrashing machines, reapers by various inventors, and besides general agricultural implements, a selection of wire work. Messrs Harper & Co., Aberdeen, have a stand with wire foot bridge, and wire bowers, with iron columns. Messrs Davidson, Aberdeen, have a stand with seven specimens of springed vehicles.
From Morayshire there is exhibited by Messrs Munro, Forres, a turnip lifter invented by Mr John Munro. A turnip topping and tailing machine is also shown by Mr Duncan Rose, Academy Street, Inverness.
One of the greatest objects of interest in the implement yard is the apparatus of binding sheaves attached to the reaper of Wood & Co. That firm have a large stand in the centre of the show. The implement with binding gear is placed in a conspicuous position, and should be seen by every visitor to the show.”
Quite a varied display from makers in the north-east of Scotland.
