February 20, 2008: The Good Shepherd of Scaur Glen
What a week we have had. We were going to write about our gathering for the week, and how the young dogs - Sioux and Tina - did on their first time out on the hill, but that can wait for another day. While glorious sunshine, warm-ish temperatures and breathless days have graced our part of Scotland for the best part of a week now, a cloud of deep sadness has hung over the Scaur Glen this week with the sudden death of Clark Cuthbertson. Clark lived and shepherded for many years at Glenwhargen, the farm next door to where we live, and where our friends, Gwen and Stewart, live now. The valley echoes stories about Clark and his beloved dog, Molly, and their prowess in navigating the steep and rocky slopes of Glenwhargen. Clark's skills on the trial field are just as legendary. He was a master at his craft. Perhaps it is fitting that Clark died while running Molly at a trial on Sunday. He was concluding his run with sheep successfully in the pen and was closing the gate, when he suddenly collapsed. The judge did not award him points for the pen because he did not close the gate. Perhaps God had his foot in the way to make sure Clark made it through the pearly gates and into heaven. From all of us here in the Scaur Glen: Namasté, Clark, Namasté.

Clark and Molly competing at the Scottish National 2007

Clark and Molly at the Sanquhar Trial 2007