Your 2018 Show calendar

WEST ARDNAMURCHAN SHOW AND SPORTS Kilchoan, Friday 20 July

This is a well-established show with a reputation for providing a fantastic family day out. The agricultural show starts the day at 9.30am, with the main family events following at 11.30am. The day includes children’s races with a road race for seniors and juniors, likewise heavy events and a pet show, produce show and stalls for everyone to enjoy. There is an all-day barbecue, and bar and live music on the field from 5pm onwards with the Votadini Band. All this is in the beautiful Kilchoan setting, making for a memorable day.

TIREE SHOW Rural Centre, Crossapol, Friday 20 July

The Isle of Tiree’s annual celebration of all things agricultural is a great social gathering. In the show rings you will see cattle, sheep, and Clydesdales along with a poultry show and pet shows alongside the horse show. Away from the rings there are a home industries tent and crafts and side stalls. This year’s main attractions are chainsaw craft, Highland dancing, and an intriguing-sounding toddler tractor race. The show dance at Tiree is legendary and this year the music at An Talla with be provided by Dùn Mhor Ceilidh Band.

BUNESSAN SHOW Bunessan School Ground, Friday 3 August

The first of the Isle of Mull’s two agricultural shows, this might be one of the smaller shows but it has a big heart; it has a reputation as being one of the friendliest shows around. The show committee describe the event as a ‘traditional show’ with a full schedule of livestock classes plus plenty more for people to enjoy at the showground alongside the village primary school, especially lots of children’s competitions with home-baking, preserves and gardening classes. The day also ends in the traditional way, with a show dance in the village hall, this year with Trail West, starting at 9pm.

KINTYRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW Anderston Park, Campbeltown, Friday 3 August

Kintyre is home of the famous Mull of Kintyre Cheddar, so expect to see some of the finest dairy cattle in the show ring, along with beef cattle, sheep and Clydesdales. Kintyre Show always has a good selection of stalls and action from the Kintyre Young Farmers. There will be a parade of old tractors and a great dog show. This year, the main show ring entertainment will be provided by ‘Dangerous Steve’ – how else would you describe a man who juggles chainsaws? A day not to be missed.

LORN AGRICULTURAL SHOW Common Grazings, Tralee Bay, Saturday 4 August

The Common Grazings land is a phenomenal beach venue for a show which draws its crowd from the farming community and people from miles around. The morning is given over to stock judging. The event is also home to the Oban Poultry Show. There is a traditional home industries tent, dog show, terrier racing and plenty of equestrian events. If you want more horse power, look out for the vintage tractors. With Highland dancing competitions and pipe band the show committee has to be congratulated on creating a day out with such a wide appeal for everyone.

SALEN SHOW Glenaros Showfield, Thursday 9 August

Mull and Morvern Agricultural Society hosts the annual Salen Show at the Glenaros Showfield; one of two shows held on the island. At the cattle and sheep classes you can see entries from all over the island and from farms on the mainland. There is always a fine selection of Highland cattle on show. At the horse show you will see everything from cheeky little Shetlands through to show jumpers and Highland Ponies to thoroughbreds. The dog show accepts entries on the day and competition is always fierce! The handicraft and produce tent is always well supported and so are the horticultural classes. The day ends with a barbecue, rounding off a really great day out at a traditional and welcoming show.

MID-ARGYLL SHOW Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Saturday 11 August

The Mid-Argyll Agricultural Show is a major event with hundreds of exhibitors entering competitions in baking, produce, crafts, flowers and vegetables, as well as the dog and livestock classes. Fergus Lyon and Caitriona MacLeod will be presidents for this the 121st Mid-Argyll Agricultural, supported by Vice President David Renwick. This year’s show will boast a gin and prosecco bar to enjoy while watching the judging of cattle, sheep, dogs, horses, ponies and poultry competitions. Other regular attractions are the display of vintage tractors and the pets section together with terrier racing competitions. After the success of last year’s gun dog scurry this competition will once again take place from 11am onwards. Entries taken on the day and open to all breeds.

SUNART & DISTRICT SHOW Strontian showfield, Saturday 11 August

The judging of the livestock classes at the Sunart and District Agricultural Society Show starts at 9.30am but the family fun lasts all day. There are classes for sheep, cattle, poultry and a dog show, and this year will see the return of the horse show. For the younger members of the family, Bubble the clown will be on hand to provide entertainment, and there will be a licensed ceilidh for all the family starting at 9pm. Show day is a big event for the Sunart community and well supported by holiday makers. A great day out for everyone with a wonderful, welcoming family atmosphere.

APPIN SHOW Tynribbie Croft, Appin, Saturday 18 August

On the shore of Loch Linnhe with the iconic Castle Stalker in the background, Appin Show truly has a fantastic location. This is the show’s 61st year and support continues to grow for the event. Farmers from the Isle of Lismore come over to enter livestock in the show alongside farms in and around Appin. Classes include sheep, cattle, including Highlanders, Clydesdale horses, and a dog show. There is a handicraft and floral art and garden produce section along with a poultry show. Given its location, the show is able to stage its own hill race alongside children’s games and races and Highland dancing. This is a show with the emphasis on a good time for all the family.

DALMALLY AGRICULTURAL SHOW Saturday 1 September

Dalmally Show traditionally brings the show season to a close, and does so in style. The hard-working show committee describes the show as ‘a celebration of our rural community’, and rightly so. Over the years Dalmally has built up a formidable reputation with its Highland cattle classes, probably only second in the land to the Royal Highland Show. These are alongside the other classes for commercial beef cattle, black face sheep, and poultry, and competitions for dogs, baking, preserves, horticulture, painting, and much more. With the village shinty ground alongside the show, Dalmally also stages a junior shinty tournament. Add to all this an excellent mix of stalls and exhibitors and you have a show with a formidable reputation which all makes for a great day out.

THE BLACK ISLE SHOW Thursday 2 August

There is a preview night on August 1 and the main event is August 2. The Black Isle Show is back and as the north’s biggest farming event, this year’s event will have monster appeal. It’s a fun-filled day for the all the family and with thousands of animals from livestock to pets, a craft and food hall, speciality bars and beer tents and a funfair, there is something for everyone. A highlight this year will be monster trucks Big Pete and the Grim Reaper which will take to the main arena to wow the crowds, while music lovers can toe tap to music from the Dolly Parton Experience, just one of the musical offerings available in the bar. There will be the traditional Black Isle Show events, too, including the everpopular livestock parade, while history will come alive in the vintage tractor show. The Flower Show will as usual be blooming marvellous and will display plants, fruit and veg, floral art and junior projects. Also, don’t forget those dancing sheep... The event is also a showcase for local food and drink producers with a huge variety of culinary delights on offer including hog roasts, burgers, pizza and crepes while our craft hall will provide the best of Scottish craft and hand-made goods.