For a long spell on Friday and into Saturday it looked as if the heavy rain showers would plague the showground at Muirhead of Logie on the outskirts of town.

But, as the judging of the livestock sections progressed through two fairly sharp showers, blue skies appeared on the horizon as lunch-time approached and the sun shone on the many who made it along to enjoy an excellent programme of events in and around the main ring.

"Despite the rain in the morning everyone seemed to be having an enjoyable time," said a relieved show secretary Cathy Stephenson. "I know that the Alpacas were a particularly popular attraction and I have had an e-mail from a Canadian visitor to say they very much enjoyed their afternoon with us, especially the produce and craft tent and the vintage parade."

There was certainly plenty to keep the show-goers amused all day, the morning judging of the various livestock classes being followed by the main ring events throughout the afternoon - headlined by the thrills of Daredevil Jez and his motorcycle and mountain bike stunt show, together with the Scottish terrier racing team.

There were many other attractions, including, for the first time, a themed education tent entitled "Sheepish 2008" - featuring the Alpacas from Lintrathen, a spinning and weaving demonstration and a central point for a children's trail, encouraging them to explore parts of the show venue.

Around the packed showground there were some 60 stands, ten of which were new for 2008.

The craft marquee attracted 23 stalls and around 60 exhibitors provided an eye-catching exhibition of vintage tractors, machinery and stationary engines.

Add the produce, baking, handicrafts and floral art marquee, and Highland dancing competitions and many other show favourites - and you had all the ingredients for another smash-hit show, with the sun making an early-afternoon appearance the big bonus.

The main morning interest was in the livestock judging, and there was local success at the highest level.

The overall champion in the sheep section - and crowned Kirriemuir 2008 champion of champions - was a Texel gimmer by halbeath Maverick and out of a home bred ewe by Haddo King, shown by Robert and Moyra Stewart, Leys of Cossans, Glamis.

There were other local successes in the sheep sections, with Gordon Mackie, Drimmie, by Forfar, taking the Suffolk title and Helen Smith, Cortachy, winning the commericla sheep championship.

In the cattle sections, the Aberdeen-Angus champ was shown by Tom Rennie, Mosston Muir, Guthrie, while Gordon Mitchell, Idvies Estate, Letham, showed the top beast in Highland cattle.

The limsouin championship was won by Willie McLaren, Muirhouses, Kirriemuir.

The champions at the show were as follows:-

Cattle

Aberdeen-Angus: Tom Rennie, Mosston Muir, Guthrie, with Mosston Muir Elsie; commercial cattle: Wilson Peters, Crieff, with a 19-month-old Limousin cross heifer Honky Tonk Woman by Logierait tango; Limousin: Willie Mclaren, muirhouses, Kirriemuir, with an eight-year-old stock bull Confluence Romeo by Hartside; Charolais: W. K. & P. Drysdale, Blairgowrie, with a 10-month-old bull calf Glenericht Champ; Simmental: Gerald and Morag Smith, Fordoun, with a three-year-old cow Drumsleed Susannah; Highland cattle: Gordon Mitchell, Idvies Estate, Letham, with 2006-born black heifer Carolina of Idvies.

Sheep

Suffolk: Gordon Mackie, Drimmie, by Forfar, with a gimmer; North Blackface: Tom and Moyra Paterson, Crieff, with a two-shear tup, That's Double T; South Blackface: Billy Brady, North Almuree, with a gimmer; Jacob: William and Edith Crowe, Heughhead, Friockheim, with the two-sheer tup Garrochy Glen; Texel: Robert and Moyra Stewart, Glamis, with a gimmer; Any other breed: Alan Fotheringham, Forgandenny, with a blue-faced Leicester shearling ram; commerical sheep: Helen Smith, Scobsuagh, Cortachy, with a pen of three heavy Texel cross Beltex home bred lambs.

Goats

Mr and Mrs Downie, Arbroath, with a three-year-old British Saanen milker Rhenelfa Gamble.

Horses

Clydesdales: David Greenhill, St. Michaels, with a yeld mare Fordelhill Lady Margaret; Overall riding pony: Audrey Efthymiou, Cargill, with the ridden and in-hand champion, the gelding Rangehill Musician; Local pony: Veronica Baillie, Finavon, by Forfar, with Prince Balou, ridden by Emily Baillie; Arab horses; Pam Murray, Blairgowrie, with the in-hand champion, seven-year-old bay gelding Castanya Moonlight; Hunters in-hand and ridden: Jane Reid, Broughty Ferry, with the ridden champion, six-year-old gelding Glengarry; working hunter pony: Colette Davidson, Stirling, with an eight-year-old mare BB Fern; Highland ponies: Janet Smith, Arbroath, with the nine-year-old grey mare Tess of Glendoll; Shetland ponies: J. & G. Wilson, Dollar, with the six-year-old miniature stallion Myreton Talisman; Mountain and moorland: Lynneann Cameron, Fettercairn, with the small breeds champion four-year-old Welsh section B dun mare Rosedust Little Fairygold; Coloured horses: Mandy Hodnett, Dundee, with the six-year-old mare Millie; Apaloosa/spotted horses: Eleanor Bruce, Stracathro, by Brechin, with an 11-year-old gelding Lindertis Tango.