These days many agricultural shows have a vintage tractors section and Fettercairn Show, organised by the Fettercairn Farmers’ Club, is no different.
The show has formed an official partnership with the Mearns Vintage Vehicle Club, which was formed around 1972.
Many will remember it hosting a series of successful events at Drumsleed Farm, near Fordoun, however since 2015 the two organisations have worked together to host a fine vintage machinery section at the popular show.
The section had several classes for all the different types of vehicle, which made for a fine and varied spectacle.
Farm machinery included the Garvie Mill belted up to an International BWD 6 tractor. Close by was the trade stand of Donald Rae and Sons with the latest Deutz Fhar C6205 TS combine on display to give the public a great insight as to how harvesting methods have changed in 70 years.
Also close to the mill was an International T6 crawler which had been converted to diesel with a Perkins engine. Coupled to the crawler was a rare Howard trailed rotavator in original condition.
The tractor line-ups included a Case C in working clothes, a similar John Deere D and a fully restored John Deere A. Another fully restored machine was an International Farmall H joined by other Internationals including a well-restored B414 and a B 275 in superb original condition.
Another in original condition was a Fordson E27N that appeared to have been an import from Scandinavia. Other Fordsons included Model Ns, EIA Majors and differing Dextas.
Allis Chalmers machines are always popular in the area with D272 and a Model B with a reversible plough arrangement on the rear. David Brown was represented by several models including 30C and D models and later 780 and 885 examples. Nuffield were also there in strength with several models on show.
One of the most unusual tractors was an OTA three-wheeled horticultural tractor which was manufactured by Oak Tree Appliances of Coventry in the post-war period. Fergusons, Massey Harris and MF models were forward in large numbers no doubt thanks to the presence of two clubs dedicated to the brands.
Regular attenders, the Ferguson Club, had several models of tractors and implements on the stand with the pick being a TED hitched to a highly sought after 30cwt trailer.
This year the club had competition from the Friends of Ferguson Heritage which, as their banner stated, supports Parrett, Wallis, Massey Harris, Ferguson Brown, Ford Ferguson, Ferguson and Massey Ferguson brands. New area representative for the north-east of Scotland, Gary Norrie, of Ellon, was on hand to answer queries and sign up new members.
Starring on the stand was his tidy TED 20 and Ferguson Crane, a Reekie narrow Ferguson, and several Massey Ferguson tractors which included a superb 185 which had worked in Fife and has been restored in the last 18 months.
Possibly the most striking exhibit was a Massey Ferguson 35 fitted with Standen high-clearance kit and row-crop wheels from the MacDonald family of Tarland. It was hitched to an equally well restored Massey Ferguson sprayer which was a badge engineering exercise as Pest Control of Cambridge made these sprayers for several tractor manufacturers including the earlier Massey Harris brand.
Several quality classics were present including Ford 4000, MF 575, John Deere 1130 models and the lovely sight of two 1983 Fendts on consecutive number plates in the guise of 2wd 610 and a 4wd 612 from Ian Christie of Brechin.
Several stationery engines were at work with a variety of associated machinery being driven including the ubiquitous Lister D, an air-cooled Petter A and an air-cooled Villiers type that were once fitted to Lister elevators. With a fine line-up of trucks, fire engines, cars and motor bikes there was plenty to see alongside the traditional show exhibits.
