It is many years since the cattle at the Royal Highland Show were judged in such perfect conditions.
Stock were looking their very best in the sunshine, which lasted from the first animal in the ring at 9am until the last one left at sometime after 7pm.
Arbroath exhibitor Audrey Anderson was thrilled when she took the championship in the Hereford section with her four-year-old cow Panmure 1 Blessing.
Shown under the family name of JM Cant & Partners, this cow made an impressive picture with her November-born twin calves at-foot.
The judge, Steve Edwards of Cosby, said it was an easy decision to make her champion.
He said: “She is very correct; a beautiful female rearing two calves.”
Reserve went to long-time exhibitors at the Highland, John and Margaret Cameron from Balbuthie in Fife, with the second-placed cow and calf, Baldinnie 1 Fly, which was having her first outing.
Another native breed to catch the eye was the Shorthorns.
Not many years ago classes were in danger due to lack of numbers, but a resurgence in popularity for the breed meant this was the second-biggest section of the show, with 105 catalogued entries.
Breed secretary Frank Milnes said Shorthorns were much in demand as suckler cows.
However, the Morrisons Premium scheme for steers had also encouraged people to invest in the breed.
Champion Neil Massie is perhaps better known for his Angus and Charolais herds at Blelack, near Aboyne, but he also runs 30 Shorthorn cows.
His winner was the five-year-old bull Meonhill Highland Centurian, which he bought for 12,000gns at Stirling in 2011 and was showing for the first time.
The Queen may have been disappointed that her horse came second in the Gold Cup at Ascot, but at least her Highland bull won.
Shown by Balmoral stockman Dochy Ormiston with the help of his brother Fergie, the five-year-old Ruaridh 1st of Ubhaidh gave the Queen her first Highland cattle championship at the show.
He was bought at Oban two years ago for 1,400gns and was reserve at the breed show in Glasgow last year.
The Charolais classes are always hotly contested at the Highland, and this year Bill Bruce from Logie Estate at Ellon took the tricolour with the five-year-old cow Balmaud Eclipse, which was bought as a calf at foot with her mother for £2,800 and was brought out by brothers, Andrew and James Reid.
Opening day cattle results were as follow.
British Charolais
M Bruce & Partners, Mains of Logie, Ellon, with four-year-old cow Balmaud Eclipse, by Maerdy Amontillado and out of Balmaud Beauty. Interbreed champion at Banchory two years ago and shown for the first time this year.
Reserve: Patrick Gallagher, Maghera, Derry, with four-year-old bull Rumsden Fawkes, by Thrunton Voldermort and out of Rumsden Avalon. Champion at Balmoral.
Beef Shorthorn
Neil Massie, Blelack, Aboyne, with five-year-old bull Meonhill Highland Centurian, by Eionmor Highlander and out of Blythesome Jessica. Bought at Stirling for 12,000gns and being shown for the first time.
Reserve: James Porter, Lisburn, Antrim, with two-year-old heifer Uppermill Gipsy Robin, by Ardoyne Bombus and out of Uppermill Gipsy Roberta. First at Balmoral.
Hereford
JM Cant & Partners, Easter Knox, Arbroath, with four-year-old cow Panmure 1 Blessing, by Romany 1 Distiller and out of Panmure 1 Blessing. On her first time out for two years.
Reserve: John and Margaret Cameron, Balbuthie, Fife, with five-year-old cow Baldinnie 1 Fly 10th, by Leo’s Pride Vanquish and out of Baldinnie 1 Fly 3rd. At her first main show.
British Blonde
Alan Walker, Auchinleck, Ayrshire, with two-year-old heifer Gleniffer Glory, by Budore Utah and out of Drumilly Amy. Reserve junior champion at last year’s Highland and champion at Ayr.
Reserve: Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with two-year-old bull Strathisla Hero, by Ballygowan Noble and out of Strathisla Venus. Shown for the first time.
Highland
The Queen, Balmoral, Ballater, with five-year-old bull Ruaridh 1st of Ubhaidh, by Torquil 1st of West Merkland and out of Flora 5th of Lagg. He won several championships last year including reserve male at Tarland and reserve supreme at Glasgow.
Reserve: Emma Paterson, Barncroft, Killin, with three-year-old heifer Iona Bhuidhe 1st of Benmore, by Alastair Ruadh of Meggernie and out of Iona 25th of Benmore. Second last year.
British Simmental
Iain Green, Corskie, Fochabers, with four-year-old bull Dirnanean Bradley, by Halenook Vargner and out of Dirnanean Veronica. Bought at Stirling in October 2011 for 22,000gns and being shown for the first and only time.
Reserve: Douglas Smith, Drumsleed, Laurencekirk, with two-year-old heifer Boswell Diamond, by Auroch Ace and out of Boswell Wichita. Reserve interbreed at Fife and reserve at Angus.
Salers
Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitelaw, Selkirk, with three-year-old heifer Cumbrian Ladybird, by Valliant and out of Cumbrian Ladybird. Shown for the first time.
Reserve: George McCall, Collone, Armagh, with two-year-old heifer Carrick View Heloise, by Rio and out of Clarine. Reserve champion at Balmoral.
Aberdeen-Angus
Alistair Clark, Avisyard, Cumnock, with five-year-old bull Rawburn Jester Eric, by The Moss Beautiful Man and out of Rawburn Joy Erica. Bought privately 18 months ago and was champion at Ayr.
Reserve: Whittaker & Co Farms, Stickle Heaton, Cornhill-on-Tweed, with three-year-old cow Haughton Laura, by Rawburn Elysium and out of Lockerley Laura. Reserve female champion as a yearling and two-year-old at the Highland.
Galloway
John, Ann and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Castle Douglas, with three-year-old heifer Blackcraig Noreen, by Finmac Norseman and out of Blackcraig Noreen. First here last year and reserve at the national show.
Reserve: Jim and Selena Ross, Romesbeoch, Dumfries, with two-year-old heifer Nerys of Romesbeoch, by Kirkmabreck Nimrod and out of Doon of Urr Nerys. Champion at the Great Yorkshire and the Winter Fair last year.
British Blue
Tom and Alison Cockburn, Kingside, West Linton, with 16-month-old bull Kingside Iceman, by Empire D’Ochain and out of Lyonpark Evelein. Reserve champion at Ayr.
Reserve: Ross and Elaine Pattinson, Temon, Brampton, with yearling heifer Topside Isla, by Strathearn Carvalho and out of Rathlyon Dinah. Reserve at Cumberland
Show.
Belted Galloway
Anne Bell, Clifton, Dumfries, with five-year-old cow Clifton Daffodil, by Barwise Jogsaw and out of Huntfield Intrigue. Cow of the year in 2012.
Reserve: Anthony Laing, Saxe Coburg Place, Edinburgh, with 18 month-old bull Coulmony Blair, by Whitepool Kite Mark and out of Coulmony Jura. Being shown for the first time.
Commercial
Alister and Elizabeth Vance, Bridgehouse, Newton Stewart, with 20-month-old heifer Betty Boop, by British Blue Wold Newton Rambo and out of a pure Limousin cow. First at the Winter Fair and interbreed champion at Ayr.
Reserve: James Nisbet, Sorn Mains, Mauchline, with 11-month-old steer Maybe This Time, by Limousin Canmorn Contina and out of a Limousin cross cow. Shown for the first time.