Having already won the title in 2006, Destiny beat off stiff competition from exhibitors on and off the island to take the show's top award once again in front of a bumper crowd at the New Showfield in Rothesay.

It's the latest accolade in a lifetime of success for the 27-month-old pony, who took the in-hand supreme championship title at last year's Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, earning a place at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham last October, and put in another strong performance at Ingliston again this year.

The presentation to Laura and David of the Andrew Crozier Memorial Trophy by Mrs Marjorie Bulloch was the closing act of the 202nd BAS show, held - to almost everyone's surprise - in dry, sunny weather throughout, while much of the rest of the country shivered and splashed its way through torrential rain.

And after the visit two years ago by HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, to the bicentennial show, and the absence of cattle and sheep last year due to restrictions imposed by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, it came as something of a relief to the show's exhibitors, organisers and visitors to be able to return to something approaching normality.

Several of the popular additions to last year's show made a reappearance in 2008, among them a vintage tractor display and competition, a tug-o-war contest and two Highland dancing displays by pupils of the Margaret Anne Speirs School of Dance, while the Clyde Valley Dog Agility Club's displays provided light relief.

But for many the attraction of the show was not those sideshows, nor the many trade stalls, but the beasts on show - and once again the island's agricultural community, boosted by several off-island entries, excelled itself, with a fine display of dairy and beef cattle, light and Clydesdale horses, sheep, dogs, poultry and pets, all the result of months of work and preparation.

After the excitement had died down, BAS president Jim Reynolds told us: "Overall we were delighted - the weather conditoins allowed us to put on a good show, and on behalf of the society I would like to say how grateful we are to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the day.

"We were delighted with the support given to us by the general public and all the exhibitors - a big thank you to them all."

The show's main 2008 prize winners are as follows.

Champion of champions (Andrew Crozier Memorial Trophy) - L. McArthur, Ardmory Road, with Destiny, shown by D. McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

Champion young livestock handler (RHASS Trophy) - E. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

AYRSHIRES

Best three cows or heifers in milk (Ian McAlister Memorial Trophy) - J. McAlister, Bruchag.

Six best Ayrshires in calf or in milk, bred by exhibitor (Pilot Officer Robert Alexander McAlister Perpetual Memorial Trophy) - J. McAlister, Bruchag.

Best animal shown by Bute Junior Agricultural Club member - J. McMillan, Bruchag.

Best heifer bred in Bute (Hutchinson Grant Memorial Challenge Trophy) - J. McAlister, Bruchag.

Best Ayrshire, bred by exhibitor (James Fisher & Son Trophy) - J. McAlister, Bruchag.

Best Ayrshire, bred in Bute (Fifth Marquess of Bute Trophy and 200th Anniversary Bute Charitable Trust Trophy) - J. McAlister, Bruchag.

Best Ayrshire (Royal Burgh of Rothesay Provost's Quaich) - J. McAlister, Bruchag.

HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN

Best animal in classes 15-18 (Alister Lyon Memorial Trophy) - H. & E. Kennedy, Largievrechtan.

Best heifer bred in Bute (Robert Duncan Memorial Trophy) - A. E. & R. Macintyre, Dunallan.

Best animal shown by B.J.A.C. member - J. Lyon, Drumachloy.

Best Friesian, bred by exhibitor (Royal and Victoria Hotel Trophy) - H. & E. Kennedy, Largievrechtan.

Best Holstein Friesian (William Watson Memorial Challenge Trophy) - H. & E. Kennedy, Largievrechtan.

Animal with highest quantity butter fat and protein over last lactation period (Lord Rhidian Crichton-Stuart Silver Platter) - H. & E. Kennedy, Largievrechtan.

CHAMPION DAIRY CATTLE

Best animal in B.J.A.C. classes (Ayrshire, Friesians, Fatstock) ( The William C. Hunter Memorial Challenge Trophy) – J. Lyon, Drumachloy.

Best dairy animal bred in Bute – H. & E. Kennedy, Largievrechtan.

Best dairy animal (The George Lyon Memorial Challenge Trophy) – H. & E. Kennedy, Largievrechtan. Reserve – J. McAlister, Bruchag.

HIGHLAND CATTLE

Best Highland exhibit bred in Bute – R. McMillan & E. Lawrence, Little Grenach.

Best Highland exhibit (Greenan Mill Trophy) – J. MacKay, Old Kilpatrick. Reserve – S. & M. O'Hara, Appin.

PRIME STOCK

Best beef calf in prime stock section (John McMillan Memorial Trophy) - A&K Farms, Achavoulaig.

Best butcher's beast (W.M. McIntyre Memorial Trophy) – G. Kennedy, Lephinkill, Glendaruel.

Best registered Aberdeen Angus (The Eastlands Trophy) – N. & R. McAlister, Bogany.

Best of all native breeds (The Ardmory House Hotel and Restaurant Trophy) – R. & P. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

Best continental animal (The United Auctions Trophy) – R. & P. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

Best exhibit in prime stock section, bred by exhibitor (Crawford Memorial Trophy) – R. & P. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

HIGHLAND & PRIME STOCK CHAMPIONS

Best entry in prime stock section, bred in Bute (The Day & Sons Trophy) – R. & P. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

Best entry in prime stock section (The MacLennan Perpetual Trophy) – R. & P. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

Best entry in prime stock section, opposite type to champion (Craig Wilson Cup) - J. MacKay, Old Kilpatrick.

JUVENILE CLASSES

Best dairy calf (The Lord Colum Crichton Stuart Challenge Trophy) – I. McAulay, Acholter.

Overall champion calf, not over six months (The Meikle Kilmory Trophy) – C. McClymont, Achavoulaig; I McAulay, Acholter.

Best leader (prize donated by judge) – E. McAlister, Langalbuinoch.

CLYDESDALES

Best Clydesdale foal (Dugald Keith Memorial Trophy) - J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill.

Best animal bred by exhibitor – J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill.

Best yearling or two-year-old colt or filly (Shield by Clydesdale Horse Society) – J.D. McMillan & Son, Eskechraggan.

Best Clydesdale bred in Bute – J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill.

Best Clydesdale (Robert Duncan Memorial Trophy) – Archd. Steel & Sons, Jackton. Reserve – J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill.

LIGHT HORSES

Best horse or pony in hand, owned by exhibitor (confined) (J. & E. Currie Memorial Trophy) – L. McArthur, Ardmory Rd.

Best combination pony and rider (confined), child 16 years and under, pony over 13.2hh but not exceeding 14.2hh (The Quogach Cup) – K. MacKay, Rothesay.

Best animal over 12.2hh and not exceeding 13.2hh, three years and over, in hand or saddle, confined to Bute (The Oaklea Challenge Trophy) – R. Morrison, Rothesay.

Best animal bred in Bute by exhibitor, in hand or saddle (The James Renfrew Memorial Trophy) – L. McArthur, Ardmory Rd.

Best animal, over 13.2hh but not exceeding 14.2hh, in hand or saddle (The Jean Reid Memorial Salver) – S. McArthur, Ardmory Rd.

Best animal over 14.2hh, shown under saddle (The Cranslagvourity Trophy) – D. McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

Best animal over 14.2hh, in hand or under saddle, open (The Marion McMillan Memorial Trophy) – D.McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

Best animal in light horse section (The Dr D.J. Penny Memorial Challenge Trophy) – L. McArthur, Ardmory Rd. Reserve – J. Glen, Crichton Rd.

SHEEP

Best blackface sheep bred by exhibitor in Bute (Maitland Trophy) – A. McKirdy, Bannatyne Mains. Reserve (Duncan Keith Memorial Trophy) – A. McKirdy, Bannatyne Mains.

Best blackface sheep (The Strathclyde Mineral Challenge Trophy) – R. McInnes & Heads, Aikenhead.

Best opposite sex to the champion (Kilmichael Perpetual Cup) – D. Shaw, Ardfern.

Best Border Leicester (The J. & S. Montgomery Challenge Trophy) - J. Sprowl, Eastlands. Reserve – J. Sprowl, Eastlands.

Best blue-faced Leicester, confined to Bute (Sons of Bute Trophy) - W Robertson, Birgidale Knock.

Best blue-faced Leicester (The Live Stock Marts Challenge Trophy) – W. Robertson, Birgidale Knock. Reserve – W. Robertson, Birgidale Knock.

Best Suffolk sheep bred in Bute (BOCM Pauls Pewter Tankard) – W. & M. McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

Best Suffolk sheep (The A. & J. Wilson Challenge Trophy) - W. & M. McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

Best continental breed sheep (The Little Kilchattan Trophy) – R. Currie, Westlands. Reserve – W. & M. McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

Best exhibit in breeding sheep section (Clydesdale Bank Trophy) – B. & J. Hill, Plan.

Reserve opposite class to champion breeding sheep (Buteman Trophy) – B. & J. Hill, Plan.

Best pen of prime lambs, bred by exhibitor (The Murray Trophy) – R. Currie, Westlands.

Best young sheep handler, aged 12-16 (Kilmichael Trophy) – J.K. Sprowl, Eastlands.

Best sheep, any breed (The Garrochty Cup) – W. & M. McMillan, Cranslagvourity.

POULTRY

Best large fowl – P. & A. McVey, Birgidale Butts.

Best bantam – L. Sprowl, Eastlands.

Best water fowl – S. Bainbridge, Kerrymenoch.

Best pigeon – G. McArthur, Ardmory Road.

Best bird in show (The Ian Crawford Memorial Trophy) – P. & A. McVey, Birgidale Butts.

Best opposite sex to champion (The Tom Crawford Memorial Trophy) – P. & A. McVey, Birgidale Butts.

DOGS/PETS

Best gundog (William Grant Cup) – F. O'Donnell, Greenock.

Best working dog (A. & J. Stewart Cup) – C. & M. Douglas.

Best dog in show (J. & A. Richardson Cup) – F. O'Donnell, Greenock.

Best pet - Mrs H. Smith, Rothesay.

DOMESTIC SECTION

Most points in domestic classes (Dunlop Trophy) – N. McCallum, Albert Mansions.

Most points in domestic section (Rothesay Advertising Association Trophy) – R. Reid, Eriskay, Ardmory Rd.

Most points in B.J.A.C. domestic classes (The Jean Bird Rosebowl) – M. McAlister, Kerrytonlia.

CHILDREN'S CLASSES

Most points in 11-14 years section (Mackirdy Challenge Trophy) – M. Poole, Marine Place.

Most points in 7-10 years section (Windyhall Trophy) – H. MacMillan, Toward View.

Most points in under six years section (Edinbeg Trophy) – S. Kennedy, Edinbeg.

Best show advertising poster (Caol Ruadh Trophy) – S. Toffoletti, Rothesay Primary.