Thousands expected to attend sun-kissed Scottish Game Fair

COUNTRYSIDE GALA: A host of new attractions set to draw in crowds as the annual celebration of game and wildlife returns to Scone Palace for its 30th year

Scotland’s biggest countryside gala is set to bring tens of thousands of visitors to Tayside this weekend.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, which kicks off today, is shaping up to be the busiest in its 30-year history.

Sunshine and a raft of new attractions are expected to lure crowds from across the country to the parklands of Scone Palace.

Yesterday organisers were putting the finishing touches to marquees, stalls and demonstration areas throughout the grounds.

The head of events at GWCT, Sarah Ballantyne, said around 35,000 people are likely to attend the three-day show.

“We are well ahead of where we have been before in terms of pre-sold tickets,” she said.

“So that is a really encouraging sign for us and given the weather forecast, we are very hopeful this could be one of our biggest fairs ever.

“There’s loads of new stuff as well as all the firm favourites, such as gundog and shooting competitions.

“We are having a ceilidh to mark our 30th anniversary tomorrow night.

“And we have also introduced a lot more family-friendly events, such as bush crafts and countryside skills workshops.

“There are lots of free activities for children.”

She said there will be plentiful supplies of ice cream, as well as bars and food stalls.

There will also be a new cookery theatre, in association with Scotland’s Natural Larder, featuring MasterChef contestants, local culinary wizards and industry experts.

The fair is a major fundraiser for the GWCT and helps continue and expand its research and development work.

For the first time, the event will be held in association with leading rural insurer NFU Mutual.

An action-packed programme has been lined up for the main ring, including birds of prey, terrier racing, a dog and duck show and a procession of Land Rovers, to name but a few.

The ever-popular Four Nations International Gundog competition will return tomorrow with teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales competing on the islands of the River Yau.

There will also be a nostalgic display to mark the fair’s milestone anniversary, showcasing techniques and crafts from “then and now”.

Organisers have warned visitors to stay hydrated, use sun screen and leave dogs at home.

Pictures: Steven Brown. Five-year-olds Cody Kerr and Isabella McGregor, from St Andrews, are excited for the Game Fair.

Rachael Griffin from Glasgow with gun dogs Nala the red labrador and Wolf the springer spaniel.