FARPAISEAN CHON-CHAORACH – SCOTTISH NATIONAL SHEEPDOG TRIALS ON BBC ALBA

BBC ALBA is delighted to announce it is to broadcast coverage of this year’s Scottish National Sheepdog Trials as part of the second series of ‘Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach’, Sheepdog Trials.

The Trials take place from Thursday 6th – Saturday 8th August, at Cocklicks Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire in the Scottish Borders.

The highly popular ‘Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach’ is produced for BBC ALBA by mneTV. The 12 part series will go out in the New Year on Tuesday 5th January. It covers both the big, high pressure events including the Scottish Nationals and the Internationals, as well as smaller local trials like those at Balquhidder, Atholl & Weem and on the islands of the scenic Hebridean circuit.

Cocklicks Farm has successfully hosted the Scottish National trials before, in 1999 and 2003. This year, 50 dogs will take part on each of the three days, their handlers guiding them towards the chance to hold one of 15 places in the Scottish Team. The top dogs will go forward to the International Sheepdog Trials at Lowther Park in Cumbria on Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September.

The best triallists and their dogs from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales will then compete for the title of Supreme Champion 2009.

Presenters Catriona MacPhee and Donald MacSween will be following competitors and their dogs at the trial. Viewers will also get the chance to assess Catriona and Donald’s skills at Dog whispering and see if our TV people can put what they have been presenting into practice.

Presenter Catriona MacPhee said: “I love coming to the Nationals. The competition is really fierce and the course stretches both the dogs and handlers, all vying to be the best in Scotland. And it’s also great because we get to see familiar Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach faces all in one place.”

Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach is prodcued for BBC ALBA by mneTV and will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Tuesday evenings from 5th January 2010.