The Hardiesmill Herd was founded in 2002 when Robin & Alison Tuke bought Hardiesmill Place. Up until that point cattle were still registered under the Thornton prefix, which was bought from Alison’s father (Nigel Thornton-Kemsley) in 1998 along with the remainder of the Thornton herd.

Lady Thornton-Kemsley, Alison’s grandmother, founded the Thornton Herd in 1949 at Thornton, near Laurencekirk.  Females came from the Pitskelly and Derculich herds, all purchased at commercial prices. As cash allowed, further cows were added from Edenwood, Harviestoun, Charterhouse, Stype, Islabank, Sandon and Little Dean. Early stock bulls included Eulian of Kilham (by Perfect of Gaidrew), which was purchased for 500 gns in 1955. Capital limitations dictated that top prices for stock bulls were out and the herd remained at 15-20 cows.

The herd was taken over by Thornton Farms Ltd in 1957 under Nigel Thornton-Kemsley. In 1967 Elomar of Yeldems was purchased jointly with Fordhouse, and Erk of Thornton, a son, was sold to Westdrums. At Westdrums, his influence was huge and in 1970, Nigel bought a son of Erk – Proud Frank of Westdrums.

In 1973 Eric of Thornton (a son of Proud Frank of Westdrums) won the Supreme Championship and the second top price of 6000gns to Kilham. Three other sons also went on to do well – Thornton Peter, a class winner at Perth, Errisiemo of Thornton – supreme at the Great Yorkshire and Res Supreme at October Perth in 1974 and Jarl Eric of Thornton in 1975 who was Reserve Supreme in February.

Two cows from the Thornton herd stand out: Palova 2nd of Thornton (the dam of Thornton Peter and Picador of Thornton), winning many local shows including the Interbreed at Tarland Show in 1976, and her daughter Palava of Thornton (by Proud Frank of Westdrums) who took the top slot in 1978 at many shows including the Great Yorkshire and in 1979 supreme at the Royal and Reserve Supreme at the Royal Highland.

 

In 1982 when retiring as President of the Society, Nigel won the last championship for Thornton (to date…).  Picador of Thornton won the Junior and Supreme titles whilst  the Senior and Reserve Supreme was also Thornton bred – one Elmarko of Thornton. Both were by Elvar of Beath (purchased jointly in 1979 by Thornton and two other herds for 6700 gns).

A change in farming policies in 1987 meant the Thornton herd was dispersed. However, as Nigel needed the policies grazed, select females were bought back from various dispersals. These grazed the policies around the castle under the watchful eye of Willie Neish.

In 1998 Alison and Robin were offered both the cattle and the herd name, which they accepted. Unfortunately circumstances dictated the "Thornton Ladies" had to be bought before they had any land, consequently they headed south for a short break in the Home Counties, p.g.-ing (paying guests) with Robin’s Aunt (Jenny Tuke) in Surrey. There they earned themselves a unique holding number in the process, as Alison and Robin lived in London. All the steers were finished on grass and sold directly to customers. Three years later, in October 2001, three cows, one heifer, three steers and one calf at foot returned north, this time to the Borders and the newly purchased Hardiesmill Place. The Thornton prefix was handed on to Ian Thornton-Kemsley, Alison's brother, who was now living in the family home and had  purchased a small herd of Angus from Glenbervie. Nigel took an active interest in the plans for Hardiesmill but unfortunately died before he saw Robin and Alison move in.

The herd currently stands at 80 pure cows, three ¾ Angus (foster mums), three stock bulls and assorted off-spring  (~200 total head count).