Best of rural life shines at Perth Show
Scores of awards handed out on South Inch field
Crowds braved the rain at the weekend to enjoy all Perth Show had to offer.
The two-day agricultural showpiece, now in its 155th year, was held on the Fair City’s South Inch over Friday and Saturday.
Held at the same time as the Perthshire On A Plate food festival, highlights included showjumping, a range of local produce and stalls, the second Highland Cattle Gathering, the national Simmental Show and the crowd-pleasing grand parade of champions.
This year’s champion of champions was Kennox Taras Gem, shown by David Craig of Stewarton in Ayrshire.
Provost Dennis Melloy said of the weekend: “This is great for Perth, the people are so happy, they are all enjoying themselves and it’s such a nice thing to come here and meet up with friends.
“One thing we don’t do enough is the American thing and say we are good. We are good, we don’t say ‘look at us’ enough and we focus too much on the negatives. There is so much good in Perth and you just have to look around here at the show to see it.”
Alexander Stewart MSP, a Conservative representative for the Mid Scotland and Fife constituency and a former councillor for the Fair City, echoed the Provost’s comments.
He declared: “This is a great opportunity for Perth to once again showcase our agricultural community. It also brings together a lot of charities and organisations who can showcase what they are trying to achieve – I am a great advocate of the show.
“The show is very much part of the culture of Perth and it’s great for whole generations and families to be participating and enjoying the show.
“We have got so much talent, and I am a real advocate of that. It is a shame it is a bit muddy under foot, but it is very well managed and I am enjoying it.”
Long-serving patron John MacGregor was pleased to be a part of the event for the 44th time.
The Binn Group chairman said: “The show is great. It’s a chance for us to meet our customers, and it’s always a pleasure to meet other businesses, friends and contacts at the council. There’s a real welcoming presence to Perth Show – the highland cattle will be a real draw.”
Having been a farmer prior to Binn Group’s move into the waste management sector, John understands the importance agricultural shows have for the sector.
He continued: “I’ve been coming to the show since when we had the meat business and now we come with the waste business. I’ve been a patron for four years, and I’ve been involved for another 40, because I believe local shows like these have got to be supported.”
Councillor Murray Lyle, who has a farm within his Strathallan ward and was showcasing his own Charolais cattle, said the event was a good networking opportunity.
He added: “We’ve already had some positive ideas for the future to encourage economic development and improve relationships.
“I was the chairman of Perth Show back in 2000 and I have been involved for probably around 30 years. It is a huge part of the culture of Perth and it is so importantly economically. It is still the best weekend for the economy. The farmers here are the heart and soul, and the rest of the show works around them.”
Among the number of organisations represented within the stalls at the weekend was the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) – whose stall featured a milkable artificial cow designed to keep the little ones entertained.
RHET’s Alix Ritchie said: “We have been much busier than we thought and there has been a real mix of agricultural, ‘horsey’ and urban children coming in to see us this year.”
An array of beautiful crafts and baking were on display in the Home Industries tent.
Among the many prize-winners was Isobel Robertson, who won the Eba Miller trophy for her clootie dumpling.
On receiving her award, Mrs Robertson said she was particularly pleased to win the award because she had used Eba Miller’s own recipe to make her award-winning entry.
Meanwhile, the National Farmers’ Union Scotland tent boasted locallysourced produce from Gloagburn Farm Shop. The union representatives said they were extremely happy to be at the show this year.
Sean Mochan from NFU Mutual, who was attending Perth Show for the very first time, said: “This has been all I had hoped for and more. It has been great to meet all the farmers here.”
Kate Maitland from the insurance firm added: “We’ve been able to hear first-hand what issues are of concern at the moment to farmers across Perth and Kinross. It has been a great opportunity to engage with our members here.”