My brother just sent me an obituary notice that appeared in the "Scottish Farmer". It's for a man we used to work for in school holidays - Oliver Macdonald of Ballat Farm.

"OLIVER MACDONALD, formerly of Ballat Farm, Stirlingshire, died peacefully on Christmas Day 2010, just one month short of his 100th birthday, after a short illness.
To know Oliver was to love him and such a privilege shared by so many - not least the west of Scotland farming community.
Oliver took over the running of Ballat Farm in 1928, after the premature death of his father. Along with his mother he kept the farm going through difficult times. Ballat was a hill farm - arable land and sheep were Oliver's passion.
Oliver was a well-kent face at the local markets, including Stirling, Lochgilphead and Dalmally. He enjoyed many agricultural shows, ploughing matches and he was a life member of the Royal Highland Show committee. He served on Strathendrick Farmers committee for 30 years and the Young Farmers committee.
Oliver met Jean Watt from Paisley, Glasgow and married in 1953. He was fortunate enough to enjoy a long, happy and healthy retirement in Drymen.
He played golf at Balfron and Buchanan Castle Golf Clubs and was a keen bowler in Drymen and Fintry - up until very recent years.
He was the subject of "The Hired Lad", written by the recently deceased Ian Campbell Thomson. He so much enjoyed watching his beloved Rangers football team play over the years.
Oliver never complained. He was an inspiration, full of wise sayings and a friend to so many folk. He is survived by his only daughter Sheena who shares his passion for sport."

The horses had long gone by the time we worked there (1966/67) but those early post-war days are described in the book mentioned above:-
"The Hired Lad" by Ian Campbell Thomson. Published by The Farming Press in 1993, and later by Drum Publishing 1998, it is still in print from Birlinn Ltd (2010). Copies at Bookfinder.com from a couple of pounds. The author, who also died recently, was giving a talk about his book in Drymen, when he was astonished to see "the boss" (Oliver Macdonald) turning up with a copy of the book in hand.

There is a sound clip of the author reading his introduction to "The Hired Lad" at the Drum Publishing website.

Ross