Following a prize draw at AgriScot a beautifully restored 1971 David Brown 780 tractor is on its way to a new home at Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire.
Self-employed joiner Stephen Urquhart was one of the thousands of people who bought raffle tickets, so allowing RSABI, Scotland’s charity helping people who have depended on the land, to raise a superb £20,000.
The tractor was kindly donated by Russell McNab of Springs Farm in Ayrshire and expertly restored by members of Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club in the workshop of John H McNae.
The 20,000 tickets were available for the tractor raffle over 18 months, culminating with sales at shows this summer and autumn.
The final remaining tickets were sold at AgriScot, just hours before the draw in the main judging ring by NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller.
Mr Urquhart, who grew up on a croft in Aberdeenshire, was just eight years old when his neighbour bought a new white David Brown tractor, and he has been an admirer of them ever since.
Now Mr Urquhart plans to keep the David Brown in a shed on his smallholding.
He said: “That David Brown tractor left a real impression on me when I was a young boy, and so I was immediately attracted on to the RSABI stand at the Royal Highland Show to buy a couple of tickets.
“RSABI is a very worthwhile cause and I’m delighted to have won,” he added.
“The tractor will be kept safely in my shed, and I aim to buy a snowplough so that it can get some work during the winter.
“It was my son’s birthday yesterday so we had a double celebration.”
RSABI development manager Paul Tinson said: “RSABI offers many congratulations to Stephen on his win, and enormous thanks to every individual who supported the raffle by buying tickets.
“Every ticket sale has made an important contribution to our fundraising efforts, and for that we are very grateful.
“The generosity of the Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club membership, and of Russell McNab and John McNae in particular, has given a real boost to our current campaign to attract new people to RSABI for help and support.
“If you know of anybody who may require assistance from RSABI, either during the winter or more generally, please put them in touch with us.
“Call in confidence on 0131 472 4166.”