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until: Skye Show - Saturday, 3rd August 2024

History Page

We know the society dates back to at least 1903 and we are carrying out further research.

The committee are pleased to have back in their possession a silver medal which is believed to date back to 1903.

It was found by one of the members on ebay USA at a Californian coin dealer. After a very careful journey back to Skye we've now photographed it and are keen to see if anyone knows any of the history of this medal and how it came to be in the USA.

We'd also like to know of any others that are still in existence. If you know anything about this medal, or have one similar, or any other show or Skye Agricultural Society memorabilia please contact a member of the committee or click the contact us link below.

The Skye Agricultural Society committe is pleased to have this medal back in their possession. They believe it dates back to 1903. it is now back on the Isle of Skye. The committee would very much like to know how it came to be in the USA and if there are any other medals like this still in existence on Skye, in the rest of Scotland, or elsewhere in the world. The inscription on the medal has been interpreted (see below) The committe think that it was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1903; and part of its inscription reads INSTD MDCCCCIII – which probably reads “Established 1903” but it is an unusual representation of Roman Numerals as there are four Cs when usually only three are used together. The rest of the inscription includes a Gaelic phrase, “Mar a Chuirear Buainear’ as well as ‘Skye Agricultural Show’. It shows a fine Highland Bull’s head.

Pictured below is the committe chairman and two committee members from the Isle of Skye Agricultural Show, Jennifer MacKinnon and Janette Sutherland display the medal as chairman Seumas MacLean looks on.

Skye Agricultural Show Medal
Jennifer MacKinnon & Janette Sutherland display the medal with chairman Seumas MacLean

Jennifer MacKinnon and Janette Sutherland display the medal with chairman Seumas MacLean
Hover over the images below for 2x magnification
To view on your smartphone tap on image to zoom
Skye Agricultural Show Medal
Skye Show medal circa 1903 - front face view
Skye Agricultural Show Medal
Skye Show medal circa 1903 - rear face view

We have a translation of the Gaelic on the front of the medal. Iona MacDonald of Skye gave us the literal translation which is:-

'The early work is evidenced in the final product'

She added that this should be interpreted as:

'You reap as you sow'

Many Thanks to Iona MacDonald of Skye and also to Maria Pelletta of Skye.


If you have any artefacts including photographs please contact the Skye Agricultural Society.

Below are a few documents from the Skye Agricultural Society Archives


Pre Skye Agricultural Society
Pre Skye Agricultural Society

Pre Skye Agricultural Society
Formation of Skye Agricultural Society 1903
Formation of Skye Agricultural Society 1903

Formation of Skye Agricultural Society 1903

Formation of Skye Agricultural Society 1903
Formation of Skye Agricultural Society 1903

Formation of Skye Agricultural Society 1903 (Original Document)
Ploughing Competition 1896
Ploughing Competition 1896

Skye Farming Society - Ploughing Competition 1896

The Original Skye Agricultural Society Committee
The Original Skye Agricultural Society Committee

The Original Skye Agricultural Society Committee
Ploughing Competition 1959
Ploughing Competition 1959

Ploughing Competition 1959

Skye Agricultural Society Ploughing Match
Skye Agricultural Society Ploughing Match

Skye Agricultural Society Ploughing Match
Hercules the Bear 1993
Hercules the Bear 1993

Hercules the Bear appeared at Skye Show 1993

Competition Results 1869
Competition Results 1869

Competition Results 1869
August 1903
August 1903

August 1903

Programme of Sports 1937
Programme of Sports 1937

Programme of Sports 1937
August 1993
August 1993

August 1993

Photograph Year Unknown
Photograph Year Unknown

Photograph Year Unknown
Prize Draw 1975
Prize Draw 1975

Prize Draw 1975

Field Layout Year Unknown
Field Layout Year Unknown

Field Layout Year Unknown
Prize List 1906
Prize List 1906

Prize List 1906

Milking a cow on Waternish Estate
Milking a cow on Waternish Estate

Milking a cow on Waternish Estate
Digging using a Cas-chrom
Digging using a Cas-chrom

Digging using a Cas-chrom

Skye Agricultural Society Rules and Regulations
Skye Agricultural Society Rules and Regulations

Skye Agricultural Society Rules and Regulations
Highland Cattle Entry Form
Highland Cattle Entry Form

Highland Cattle Entry Form

Portree Cattle Market
Portree Cattle Market - Early Photograph

Portree Cattle Market - Early Photograph
Portree War Memorial - Early Photograph
Portree War Memorial - Early Photograph

Portree War Memorial - Early Photograph

West Highland Cattle illustration 1842
West Highland Cattle illustration 1842

West Highland Cattle illustration 1842
Portree Harbour - Early Photograph
Portree Harbour - Early Photograph

Portree Harbour - Early Photograph

Skye Show Dog Competition circa 1934
Skye Show Dog Competition circa 1934

Skye Show Dog Competition circa 1934
Donald Murchison taking home peat for the fire
Donald Murchison taking home peat for the fire

Donald Murchison taking home peat for the fire

Crofters Cottages in Bayfield - Portree
Crofters Cottages in Bayfield - Portree

Crofters Cottages in Bayfield - Portree
Portree Show circa 1930's
Portree Show circa 1930's

Portree Show circa 1930's

Skye Show Horse Competition
Skye Show Horse Competition

Skye Show Horse Competition
The Royal Hotel in Portree
The Royal Hotel in Portree

The Royal Hotel in Portree

Part of Ledger from 1903
Part of Ledger from 1903

Part of Ledger from 1903
Ploughing Match Letter
Ploughing Match Letter

Ploughing Match Letter

Peat digging - Kingsburgh, Trumpan
Flora and Archie MacInnes - Peat digging - Kingsburgh, Trumpan

Flora and Archie MacInnes - Peat digging - Kingsburgh, Trumpan
Peat digging - Kingsburgh, Trumpan
Somerled Square - Portree

Somerled Square - Portree

Peat Bank - Kingsburgh, Trumpan
Duncan and K MacKinon - Peat Bank - Kingsburgh, Trumpan

Duncan and K MacKinon - Peat Bank - Kingsburgh, Trumpan

A few photographs from previous Skye Shows


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