WHILE the Royal Highland Show is where all roads lead to in June, there are shows taking place the length and breadth of Scotland this summer – among them Turriff Show, which is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year and is Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural show.
Taking place on August 4-5 at the Haughs in Turriff, the event is a showcase for northeast farming with local heritage and food and drink also taking centre stage.
While last year’s show attracted over 24,000 visitors – boosted by sunny weather – the organisers will be hoping to be blessed once again by the weather gods.
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Visitors this year can look forward to a display of vintage and classic vehicles along with livestock, equestrian, small animal and dog classes.
Indeed, some 330 trophies will be up for grabs along with prize money of over £88,000 across 1,500 exhibitor classes.
Animal classes include prime cattle, sheep, horses and ponies, rabbits, cavies, dogs, and pigeons.
Industrial and craft classes, meanwhile, will shine a spotlight on skills including baking, vegetable growing and flower arranging.
Look out too for the Kipperridge gun dogs as they put on world-class canine displays in the main ring.
As show president David Allan says: “I hope this year’s show will be a light at the end of a tunnel for what has been a wet and soggy start to the year.”
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Of course, Turriff is just one of many shows this year, with gatherings ranging from the Border Union Show in Kelso, Perth, Angus, Haddington and Orkney County shows, to Caithness, Black Isle and Dumfries shows.
Meanwhile, there are other key outdoor events such as the ever-popular Scottish Game Fair at Scone in July, Blair Castle International Horse Trials in August, the Highland Games circuit, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and all the Edinburgh Festivals, and The 152nd Open at Royal Troon in July for golf aficionados.
Add to the mix the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy in June and a wide variety of book and musical festivals taking place across the nation and there truly is something for everyone this year.
Indeed, the boat festival will this year host the world-famous Red Arrows Aerobatic Team – the only Scottish public display performed by the team during their diamond anniversary campaign.
So, get out there, clear your head, meet up with friends at the Kelpies – this year celebrating their tenth anniversary – and enjoy some family time away from the farm – even if it’s just for one day!
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