About the herd

Background

Alastair Grant

Alastair Grant started the Varis herd in 1985 with Ashley Pelanne - a daughter of the famous Evesund of Dupplin - as the foundation cow. A few years later he started the Lingieston herd with some Humbie females, in memory of his father, Alec Grant, a well-loved cattle dealer throughout the North of Scotland and Orkney. 

Since Alastair's death in 2013, the family has continued to aim to breed quality, naturally thriving cattle. Up until the pandemic we showed regularly in the local shows and the Black Beauty Bonanza, and for two years running, we won Pedigree Herd of the Year, in the Highland Area Aberdeen Angus Club competition.

The most influential sires used in the herd in the last decade have included Lingieston Main Prospect J808, Haymount War Star M243, and Haymount Wavebreaker S665. In recent years we've also had good results using straws from Hallington Evo L333, and Ballindalloch Earl. In 2021, we were delighted to purchase Deveron Evoque W726 from the Sclater family, and look forward to seeing his calves on the ground in 2022.

Herd health

We are accredited free of BVD and Lepto, and are Level 1 for Johne's

Herd care

We want to provide each buyer with a healthy and naturally thriving animal who will have a long and productive life. Our cows are outwintered on stubble, grazing turnips, and with straw and some silage. We grow most of our feed on farm.