Big crowds enjoy the sun at popular event

Hundreds of people enjoyed a day out at the Alyth and District Agricultural Show on Saturday.

Fine weather attracted a good crowd to the afternoon entertainment at the annual show, which returned to Bogle’s Field on the outskirts on Blairgowrie.

After the morning judging of livestock classes, the afternoon entertainment got under way with a performance from Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Calum Patterson.

Other main ring entertainment included a parade of vintage tractors, the parade of livestock, the always popular fly ball races, the children’s races and show jumping.

There was also Highland dancing, a dog show, and demonstrations by farrier Jim Balfour.

And in the tug o’ war, Mount Blair won the six-a-side competition, beating Aberfeldy 2-0.

Show president Stuart Knox was pleased with the event.

He said: “It’s been a great show, although as always a lot of hard work.

“The weather has been good - not too hot for the animals or too cold for visitors, and everything seems to have gone smoothly.

“Livestock entry numbers are back to what they were before the show date changed and the event has been well supported by members of the public coming along on the day which is good to see.

“It’s all about showcasing the agricultural industry in the local area and this year’s show has done Winners Members of the Mount Blair tug o’war team after their win against Aberfeldy just that. Appleton from Alyth Primary School

“We’ve had great champions in who won the competition to design all three livestock sections who the cover of the programme, it looks are fantastic examples of their fantastic.” breeds, a great turnout of vintage Pete Wishart MP was amongst tractors, the dog show and horse those who enjoyed the day. He said: show were popular, as was the “Alyth Show is a great day, and it’s Highland dancing, the main ring fantastic to see all the animals in tip entertainment and the Ardblair top condition ahead of the Highland Stones.” Show.

Mr Knox also acknowledged “It gets more fun each year and the contributions of sponsors, there is a real community feel to the and the efforts of competitors and show, it has a great atmosphere and committee members. is in a lovely setting.

He said: “Thanks to the committee “It is great for the area as well, and in particular Ruth King and Gail providing a boost to the local Robertson for all their hard work economy.” over the past year, and to all our Also at the show was John sponsors for making it happen. Swinney MSP and his family, Perth

“And congratulations to Katy and Kinross Provost Dennis Melloy and Councillor Caroline Shiers.

Provost Melloy said: “Once again the Alyth Show committee has pulled out all the stops and put on a wonderful show.

“It’s a great day out for all the family and it was so nice that the weather was kind to the show this year.”

Cllr Shiers added: “The show was a great success, well done to everyone who pulled the event together.

“It is a cliche to say it but there really was something for everything and I met lots of locals and visitors who were thoroughly enjoying the event.

“Events like the Alyth Show and the Highland Games require a huge amount of effort by a small band of volunteers and it is always great to see sponsorship by local businesses in support of the finances of putting the event on.”

The industrial tent was very busy once again this year with organisers describing it as a bumper year for entries.

And this year, as part of the Cateran’s CommonWealth project with artist in residence Deirdre Nelson, there was a public stitchin in the industrial tent where everyone was able to try stitching a part of the Cateran Trail.

Deirdre, who also judged the handicrafts section, commented: “It’s been fantastic, I was very impressed with the quality of entries in the competitions, and there has been a steady stream of people stitching the Cateran Trail or looking at the photos of the trail as well. Highland dancers from all over Tayside and farther afield took part in the Highland dancing competitions. Winners: Primary. Pas des Basques - 1 Alicia Rae, Forfar; 2 Sebastian Ballantyne, Fraserburgh. Pas des Basques and high cuts - 1 Alicia Rae; 2 Sebastian Ballantyne. Highland Fling - 1 Sebastian Ballantyne; 2 Alicia Rae. Sword dance - 1 Sebastian Ballantyne; 2 Alicia Rae. Beginners eight years and under. Highland Fling - 1 Abigail Elliot, Forfar; 2 Bonnie Ballantyne, Fraserburgh. Sean Truibhas - 1 Grace McGibbon, Forfar; 2 Bonnie Ballantyne. Trophy fling - 1 Bonnie McGibbon; 2 Abigail Elliot. Flora Macdonald - 1 Bonnie McGibbon. Lilt - 1 Bonnie McGibbon. Section winners - 1 Bonnie Ballantyne; 2 Abigail Elliot. Beginners nine years and over. Highland Fling - 1 Emma Gatehouse, Blairgowrie; 2 Lucy Robertson. Sword dance - 1 Emma Gatehouse; 2 Lucy Robertson. Sean Truibhas - 1 Emma Gatehouse; 2 Lucy Robertson. Trophy fling - 1 Emma Gatehouse; 2 Lucy Robertson. Flora Macdonald - 1 Emma Gatehouse; 2 Lucy Robertson. Lilt - 1 Lucy Robertson; 2 Emma Gatehouse. Section winner - 1 Emma Gatehouse; 2 Lucy Robertson. Novice nine years and under. Highland Fling - 1 Megan Mitchell, Crieff; 2 Renee Thomson, Maryculter; 3 Grace Nixon, Alyth. Sword dance - 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson; 3 Lucy Rodger, Tillicultry. Sean Truibhas - 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson; 3 Grace Nixon. Trophy fling - 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Grace Nixon; 3 Renee Thomson. Flora Macdonald - 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson; 3 Grace Nixon. Lilt - 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Grace Nixon; 3 Renee Thomson. Section winner - 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson. Novice 10 years and over. Highland Fling - 1 Carla Guild, Dundee; 2 Krzysziof Black, Monikie; 3 Eve-Lynne Griffiths, Forfar. Sword dance - 1 Carla Guild; 2 Isla Reid, Alyth; 3 Eve-Lynne Griffiths. Sean Truibhas - 1 Emma McCafferty, Carluke; 2 Eve-Lynne Griffiths; 3 Isla Reid. Trophy fling - 1 Carla Guild; 2 Emma McCafferty; 3 Krzysziof Black. Flora Macdonald - 1 Emma McCafferty; 2 Isla Reid; 3 Eve-Lynne Griffiths. Lilt - 1 Eve-Lynne Griffiths; 2 Emma McCafferty; 3 Isla Reid. Section winner - 1 Carla Guild; 2 Emma McCafferty. Intermediate 11 years and under. Highland Fling - 1 Kate Nixon, Alyth; 2 Paige Fotheringham, Blairgowrie. Sean Truibhas - 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald, Banff. Flora Macdonald - 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald. Lilt - 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald. Section winner - 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald. Intermediate 12 years and over. Highland Fling - 1 Lucy King, Dundee; 2 Stella Reid. Sean Truibhas - 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Flora Macdonald - 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Lilt - 1 Stella Reid; 2 Abbie Scott, Cumnock. Hornpipe - 1 Lucy King; 2 Abbie Scott. Jig - 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Section winner - 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Premier 11 years and under. Highland Fling - 1 Liam Mitchelson, Kellas; 2 Abby McLean, Letham. Sean Truibhas - 1 Abby McLean; 2 Liam Mitchelson. Jig - 1 Liam Mitchelson; 2 Abby McLean. Hornpipe - 1 Abby McLean. Section winner - 1 Abby McLean; 2 Liam Mitchelson. Premier 12 years. Highland Fling - 1 Cara McFarlane, Carnoustie; 2 Erin Slane, Pitcairngreen; 3 Elie Closs, Methven. Sean Truibhas - 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Elie Closs; 3 Lauren Johnston, Pitlochry. Jig - 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Erin Slane; 3 Leilanni Tracey, Blairgowrie. Hornpipe - 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Erin Slane; 3 Leilanni Tracey. Section winner - 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Erin Slane. Premier 13 years. Highland Fling - 1 Seann Mitchelson, Kellas; 2 Victoria Thomson, Dunblane; 2 Louise Stoddart, Edinburgh. Sean Truibhas - 1 Victoria Thomson; 2 Louise Stoddart. Jig - 1 Louise Stoddart; 2 Victoria Thomson. Hornpipe - 1 Louise Stoddart; 2 Victoria Thomson. Section winner - 1 Louise Stoddart; 2 Victoria Thomson.