If you mention Netherton Angus to any cattle person around the globe they are sure to know the renowned Angus herd based at Perthshire, Scotland. Owned and run by the McLaren family for five generations now, Netherton Angus is synonymous with producing some of the best cattle in the world.
From leading AI sires and record-breaking bulls to show champions, Netherton has done it all. Famous for producing eye-catching Angus cattle with exceptional breed character, the herd has gone through many transitions over its 100 years in existence to keep up with the ever-changing market demands.
History
The iconic Netherton Angus herd was founded in 1924, about two miles away from Netherton near Blackford. For many years, the herd comprised of 30 breeding cows, until the purchase of the Barnoldby Herd in 1971, when the two herds combined. In 2014 Netherton took over the running of HW Angus owned by the Altajir family, neighbours of the McLaren family who founded the HW Angus herd in 2011.
Today, both herds are run as one at Netherton and the surrounding area. The farm is based in Perthshire near the village of Blackford on the A9 between Perth and Stirling. Comprising 350 acres, Netherton is situated in the middle of HW who own 20,000 acres.
The Netherton herd is made up of around 50 pedigree Angus cows, with HW standing at 200 pedigree Angus cows. Both herds are managed by William and Karen McLaren, who are ably assisted by daughter Seonaid, the fifth generation of the McLaren family.
Netherton Eclipse Z036 ET, which sold for a UK breed record of £65,600 in 2025.\ Mac Gregor Photography
Record breakers
Over the years there has been many highlights at Netherton. “One of the earliest successes was selling a bull for 4,000gns in the 1960s, that was a big price for an Angus bull at the time. Since then, we have won the Royal Highland Show five times, the Royal Show six times and been fortunate enough to win show herd of the year on 13 occasions,” said William.
In the 1990s we competed at 117 shows, winning 75 female championships. In 2005 Netherton Figo was champion at Perth and sold for £30,000, the first bull in over 40 years to reach that price. We were also the first herd to sell Angus females over £20,000, with Netherton Missie A114 selling for £30,000 in 2007”, he added.
Netherton has been home to some of the breed’s most-influential Angus bulls. These include the Irish-bred Patrick of Breaffy whose progeny in the 80s made up 30% of sales over three years at Perth Bull Sales. TLA Northern Samurai who was imported from Canada dominated the breed in the 90s and of course Darlene Cruz who brought shape into the breed before anyone knew what Myostatin was.
Netherton Annie W940, winner of Miss Europe 2025. \ MacGregor Photography
Cow families
The herd has also been home to some of the most recognised cow families in the Angus breed. These include the Frances and Fleurs, who trace back to Cee bar Favourite who William’s father William senior bought for 2,000gns and went on to win both the Highland and Royal Shows. The famous Blackbirds trace back to Barnoldby and of course the Missies that originated in Canada.
The McLarens have always been pioneers in introducing outcross Angus genetics to the UK; something William continues to do.
“We have travelled the world in search of bulls and have a very high influence of SAV genetics in the herd. Other herds which have had an impact on our herd are Millah Murrah, Te Mania and Texas from Australia, and of course Miller Wilson, Cudlobe and Hamilton Farms in Canada,” explained William.
Many young Netherton and HW bulls have gone into AI studs over the years, having a lasting impact on the breed in the UK and Ireland. These include Netherton Americano, Netherton Mr Brazilian, HW Farghal, HW Lord Horatio, HW Fletcher and HW Adonnis, to name a few.
HW Blackbird W229, winner of Miss Europe 2024. \ MacGregor Photography
Maternal focus
In recent years the McLarens have moved away from concentrating on the show ring and instead focus on the commercial market. “We have changed away from what would do well at shows and Stirling bull sales to produce a more moderate-framed, deep-bodied, functional female and concentrating on the traits that made the breed famous, such as easy calving and fleshing on a forage-based diet and marbling”.
“Our stock bulls are different types and we call them our jigsaw pieces and it’s up to us to make them fit together. Our main herd sire today is HW Mr Equilibrium, a Te mania Emperor son who is leaving great progeny on a moderate frame with fantastic breed character, natural width and shape. His daughters are developing into lovely deep-bodied cows with good udders”, said William.
Renowned for their maternal female lines for decades, the McLaren family still believe it is what makes the herd stand out.
“If I had to say what makes us different from many other breeders it is that we concentrate on the maternal qualities of the breed first,” William added.
HW Mr Equilibrium, main herd sire at HW Netherton Angus. \ MacGregor Photography
Performance recording
Netherton is the oldest recited herd in the UK, performance recording since 1959. “We have always looked at performance data but not above phenotype and pedigree”, said William, who believes it is important to find the right balance when looking at indexes.
“We have realised that maybe figures above breed average say the top 30% is sufficient to move the herd forward, better than the top 1% cattle as you usually have to give up something else. Real high-performance cattle on our low input system don’t perform that well”.
Efficiency is imperative at HW Netherton. According to William: “Our spring calving cows, which make up 70% of the herd, their calves receive no creep. After weaning heifers get 1kg\head for 3-4 months, so they get used to us or else we would leave them up on the hill.
“Bulls receive 3kg from weaning until a year old, then 2kg per\head until their sold. The most important trait for us is fertility, as all our heifers go in-calf at 15 months. Our cows will still mature out at over 800kg at five years due to them being full of flesh. Bull calves are usually 550-600kg at a year old. We usually average between six or seven for IMF, with many over eight.”
The McLarens don’t target any specific market; instead they aim to breed cattle to suit all markets and systems. “We don’t aim for any specific buyer; the cattle are for sale to whoever wants them. By staying middle of the road, we can appeal to many sectors but our biggest customers are suckler farmers who want to keep replacements”.
Netherton Americano, a highly influential sire in Ireland and the UK. / Mac Gregor Photography
Direction of the Breed
William believes Angus breeders should stick to the traits which made the breed famous. “Personally, I think we need to forget about having growth rates like a Charolais or muscle like a Limousin and concentrate on the traits that made the breed No1 in the world: easy calving and fleshing with good breed character.
“Whether this happens or not I’m not sure, we’ve tried to copy other breeds for too long, it’s them that needs to change to catch up on us. I would hope breeders make their cattle more balanced and correct on their legs, irrespective of frame score”, he added.
The fourth-generation farmer also believes the future of farming in Scotland is bright and should be supported. “I think farming will get harder as governments and media are not our friends. Saying that, farming has had tough times before and survived and I’m sure it will again. Hopefully the next generation of farmers get the help and opportunity needed to get started. People will want to eat quality food and it’s up to us to supply it. For that reason Aberdeen Angus will always have a place”.
Netherton Figo, champion at Perth in 2005 when he sold for £30,000.
Production sales
In recent years the herd has held a production sale of heifers every autumn and hosted its first sale of bulls in Spring 2025 with remarkable success. “We have had the breed’s top price and average for the last three years in the HW Netherton sales”, said William.
In October 2025 females sold to 18,600gns, with 21 cows averaging £8,316 and eight heifers averaging £4,725.
The herds inaugural bull sale in Spring 2025 broke the breed’s average and top price, when Netherton Eclipse Z036 sold for £65,600, breaking a 62-year-old record.
On 7 February 2026, the McLarens will put forward 33 bulls for sale in their on-farm sale, all brought out naturally on a low input diet. The bulls will be 20 to 22 months old and have spent both winters outside apart from the last four weeks before the sale when they will be brought in for sale preparation.
According to William: “These bulls will be easy calved and easily fleshed on a moderate frame with lovely soft Angus flesh, and exhibit the breed character you would expect from HW Netherton.”
William McLaren judging Angus cattle at Angus Australia's centenary show in Sydney in 2019.
Future plans
Since its foundation, the HW Netherton herd has produced 8 of the 14 Miss Europe champions in the PJ Budler world show, including the last three years winners, no mean feat by any means. Loyal supporters of the Angus breed for over a century, the McLaren’s hope to expand the HW Netherton cow herd to 400 cows in the coming years.
“Whatever happens, Angus cattle will likely be the top beef breed in the majority of countries in Europe in the years to come”, William concluded.
William McLaren senior, along with his wife Catherine, receiving the Hugh Watson Award from the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society in 2013 for his lifetime of dedication to the Angus breed.
If you mention Netherton Angus to any cattle person around the globe they are sure to know the renowned Angus herd based at Perthshire, Scotland. Owned and run by the McLaren family for five generations now, Netherton Angus is synonymous with producing some of the best cattle in the world.
From leading AI sires and record-breaking bulls to show champions, Netherton has done it all. Famous for producing eye-catching Angus cattle with exceptional breed character, the herd has gone through many transitions over its 100 years in existence to keep up with the ever-changing market demands.
History
The iconic Netherton Angus herd was founded in 1924, about two miles away from Netherton near Blackford. For many years, the herd comprised of 30 breeding cows, until the purchase of the Barnoldby Herd in 1971, when the two herds combined. In 2014 Netherton took over the running of HW Angus owned by the Altajir family, neighbours of the McLaren family who founded the HW Angus herd in 2011.
Today, both herds are run as one at Netherton and the surrounding area. The farm is based in Perthshire near the village of Blackford on the A9 between Perth and Stirling. Comprising 350 acres, Netherton is situated in the middle of HW who own 20,000 acres.
The Netherton herd is made up of around 50 pedigree Angus cows, with HW standing at 200 pedigree Angus cows. Both herds are managed by William and Karen McLaren, who are ably assisted by daughter Seonaid, the fifth generation of the McLaren family.
Netherton Eclipse Z036 ET, which sold for a UK breed record of £65,600 in 2025.\ Mac Gregor Photography
Record breakers
Over the years there has been many highlights at Netherton. “One of the earliest successes was selling a bull for 4,000gns in the 1960s, that was a big price for an Angus bull at the time. Since then, we have won the Royal Highland Show five times, the Royal Show six times and been fortunate enough to win show herd of the year on 13 occasions,” said William.
In the 1990s we competed at 117 shows, winning 75 female championships. In 2005 Netherton Figo was champion at Perth and sold for £30,000, the first bull in over 40 years to reach that price. We were also the first herd to sell Angus females over £20,000, with Netherton Missie A114 selling for £30,000 in 2007”, he added.
Netherton has been home to some of the breed’s most-influential Angus bulls. These include the Irish-bred Patrick of Breaffy whose progeny in the 80s made up 30% of sales over three years at Perth Bull Sales. TLA Northern Samurai who was imported from Canada dominated the breed in the 90s and of course Darlene Cruz who brought shape into the breed before anyone knew what Myostatin was.
Netherton Annie W940, winner of Miss Europe 2025. \ MacGregor Photography
Cow families
The herd has also been home to some of the most recognised cow families in the Angus breed. These include the Frances and Fleurs, who trace back to Cee bar Favourite who William’s father William senior bought for 2,000gns and went on to win both the Highland and Royal Shows. The famous Blackbirds trace back to Barnoldby and of course the Missies that originated in Canada.
The McLarens have always been pioneers in introducing outcross Angus genetics to the UK; something William continues to do.
“We have travelled the world in search of bulls and have a very high influence of SAV genetics in the herd. Other herds which have had an impact on our herd are Millah Murrah, Te Mania and Texas from Australia, and of course Miller Wilson, Cudlobe and Hamilton Farms in Canada,” explained William.
Many young Netherton and HW bulls have gone into AI studs over the years, having a lasting impact on the breed in the UK and Ireland. These include Netherton Americano, Netherton Mr Brazilian, HW Farghal, HW Lord Horatio, HW Fletcher and HW Adonnis, to name a few.
HW Blackbird W229, winner of Miss Europe 2024. \ MacGregor Photography
Maternal focus
In recent years the McLarens have moved away from concentrating on the show ring and instead focus on the commercial market. “We have changed away from what would do well at shows and Stirling bull sales to produce a more moderate-framed, deep-bodied, functional female and concentrating on the traits that made the breed famous, such as easy calving and fleshing on a forage-based diet and marbling”.
“Our stock bulls are different types and we call them our jigsaw pieces and it’s up to us to make them fit together. Our main herd sire today is HW Mr Equilibrium, a Te mania Emperor son who is leaving great progeny on a moderate frame with fantastic breed character, natural width and shape. His daughters are developing into lovely deep-bodied cows with good udders”, said William.
Renowned for their maternal female lines for decades, the McLaren family still believe it is what makes the herd stand out.
“If I had to say what makes us different from many other breeders it is that we concentrate on the maternal qualities of the breed first,” William added.
HW Mr Equilibrium, main herd sire at HW Netherton Angus. \ MacGregor Photography
Performance recording
Netherton is the oldest recited herd in the UK, performance recording since 1959. “We have always looked at performance data but not above phenotype and pedigree”, said William, who believes it is important to find the right balance when looking at indexes.
“We have realised that maybe figures above breed average say the top 30% is sufficient to move the herd forward, better than the top 1% cattle as you usually have to give up something else. Real high-performance cattle on our low input system don’t perform that well”.
Efficiency is imperative at HW Netherton. According to William: “Our spring calving cows, which make up 70% of the herd, their calves receive no creep. After weaning heifers get 1kg\head for 3-4 months, so they get used to us or else we would leave them up on the hill.
“Bulls receive 3kg from weaning until a year old, then 2kg per\head until their sold. The most important trait for us is fertility, as all our heifers go in-calf at 15 months. Our cows will still mature out at over 800kg at five years due to them being full of flesh. Bull calves are usually 550-600kg at a year old. We usually average between six or seven for IMF, with many over eight.”
The McLarens don’t target any specific market; instead they aim to breed cattle to suit all markets and systems. “We don’t aim for any specific buyer; the cattle are for sale to whoever wants them. By staying middle of the road, we can appeal to many sectors but our biggest customers are suckler farmers who want to keep replacements”.
Netherton Americano, a highly influential sire in Ireland and the UK. / Mac Gregor Photography
Direction of the Breed
William believes Angus breeders should stick to the traits which made the breed famous. “Personally, I think we need to forget about having growth rates like a Charolais or muscle like a Limousin and concentrate on the traits that made the breed No1 in the world: easy calving and fleshing with good breed character.
“Whether this happens or not I’m not sure, we’ve tried to copy other breeds for too long, it’s them that needs to change to catch up on us. I would hope breeders make their cattle more balanced and correct on their legs, irrespective of frame score”, he added.
The fourth-generation farmer also believes the future of farming in Scotland is bright and should be supported. “I think farming will get harder as governments and media are not our friends. Saying that, farming has had tough times before and survived and I’m sure it will again. Hopefully the next generation of farmers get the help and opportunity needed to get started. People will want to eat quality food and it’s up to us to supply it. For that reason Aberdeen Angus will always have a place”.
Netherton Figo, champion at Perth in 2005 when he sold for £30,000.
Production sales
In recent years the herd has held a production sale of heifers every autumn and hosted its first sale of bulls in Spring 2025 with remarkable success. “We have had the breed’s top price and average for the last three years in the HW Netherton sales”, said William.
In October 2025 females sold to 18,600gns, with 21 cows averaging £8,316 and eight heifers averaging £4,725.
The herds inaugural bull sale in Spring 2025 broke the breed’s average and top price, when Netherton Eclipse Z036 sold for £65,600, breaking a 62-year-old record.
On 7 February 2026, the McLarens will put forward 33 bulls for sale in their on-farm sale, all brought out naturally on a low input diet. The bulls will be 20 to 22 months old and have spent both winters outside apart from the last four weeks before the sale when they will be brought in for sale preparation.
According to William: “These bulls will be easy calved and easily fleshed on a moderate frame with lovely soft Angus flesh, and exhibit the breed character you would expect from HW Netherton.”
William McLaren judging Angus cattle at Angus Australia's centenary show in Sydney in 2019.
Future plans
Since its foundation, the HW Netherton herd has produced 8 of the 14 Miss Europe champions in the PJ Budler world show, including the last three years winners, no mean feat by any means. Loyal supporters of the Angus breed for over a century, the McLaren’s hope to expand the HW Netherton cow herd to 400 cows in the coming years.
“Whatever happens, Angus cattle will likely be the top beef breed in the majority of countries in Europe in the years to come”, William concluded.
William McLaren senior, along with his wife Catherine, receiving the Hugh Watson Award from the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society in 2013 for his lifetime of dedication to the Angus breed.
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