Ayrshire's Robbie, 14, caps it all with a place in Scottish team

Aug 20 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HE’S the youngest ever to make the Scotland sheepdog handling team.

And at 14, Robbie Welsh may be the youngest to make ANY such international team.

One boy and his dog took on Scotland’s best shepherds in Perthshire.

And Robbie guided his seven-year-old collie Maid to 13th out of 150 dogs who ran over three days.

It was the Scottish national championships, with the top 15 guaranteed a place in the team.

Now Robbie and Maid will represent Scotland at the home internationals in Antrim next month.

And the great Ayrshire pair can also look forward to the world championships in Cumbria next year.

Robbie said: “It’s great to be in the team – I didn’t think I’d make it.

“I was disappointed to run out of time at the national.”

But Robbie wasn’t the only one to have difficulties.

And experienced shepherds also struggled in a demanding test.

Robbie was in eighth place after his run – then down to 10th after all the second-day competitors had run.

The youngster then had to endure a nerve-racking third day, to see how many would overtake him.

One turned out to be his great uncle Jock Welsh, from Dalrymple.

Jock was already in the team with his dog Sweep, from the first day.

But he gained a second spot with dog Nap, putting Robbie down to 13th place with 12 dogs still to run.

Robbie’s mum Elaine said: “It was nail-biting stuff, and we all breathed a sigh of relief when no one else passed Robbie.”

BBC Alba filmed the Scottish national, and Robbie was interviewed by the TV channel.

Robbie’s family home is Keirsmill Farm, Patna, and he has just started his fourth year at Doon Academy.

He was given Maid for his ninth birthday by his Uncle Wull, and began competing in junior handler events.

Robbie quickly graduated to open competitions, even beating dad Tony.

Top shepherds say he has trained Maid to be the best bitch competing in Scotland.

The only downside for Robbie becoming an international is that he can no longer take part in young handler events.

These are normally open to competitors up to 21, but at just 14 Robbie can no longer compete.

“It seems a bit harsh,” said mum Elaine, “but that’s the rules.”