Still game – rural show celebrates 30 years of showcasing country pursuits
Hugo Straker is looking forward to a packed weekend of events and displays for a fun-filled family day
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The Game Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scotland is proud to be celebrating its 30th year organising the Scottish Game Fair. Over the past three decades, the fair has welcomed audiences from across the world who share a passion for the countryside and conservation. The flagship 30th anniversary fair is being held in association with leading rural insurer NFU Mutual for the first time.
Outdoor events in Scotland can prove challenging for all of the obvious reasons, along with a move to online shopping and deals. Even with these challenges, the Scottish Game Fair has gone from strength to strength and built on both our exhibitor and audience numbers year on year. When we open the gates on Friday 29 June at Scone Palace Parklands, Perth, we’ll be welcoming people to enjoy an action-packed three days.
Celebrating the milestone anniversary in style, we’ll be hosting lots of firm fair favourites, as well as exciting new elements including a standalone cookery theatre, The Junior Macnab, The Hull Flush Challenge, bush crafts and countryside skills, and a 30th party on Saturday night.
This year the main ring (in association with Brewin Dolphin) has a packed programme with highlights including the birds of prey displays, terrier racing, the Fred Taylor Memorial Trophy for Working Hill Ponies (sponsored by Rigby and Co.) and the Clwyd Axemen, as well as some spectacular displays. There will also be clay shooting, fishing, gundog and scurry competitions, with lots of opportunities for expert tuition and the chance to have a go at a new activity or sport.
As well as showcasing the best of the countryside and providing a funfilled family day out, there is also a very significant role that the fair fulfils. The Scottish Game Fair is a major fundraiser for the Game Wildlife Conservation Trust and helps continue and expand the invaluable research and development work undertaken each year, for example, Auchnerran, our demonstration farm in Aberdeenshire, which we are developing to provide research and offer training and education programmes.
We have a central exhibit just beside the main ring, where we let people know more about the work we do and how to get involved, and this year the GWCT’S central exhibit will focus on the GWCT crest and the grey partridge. Members and visitors are to enjoy then and now displays showing the remarkable contrasts across the last 30 years in partridge population, habitats and predator control, as well as comparing older techniques with the latest tech.
Scientific and advisory staff will be on hand to answer any questions, and a dram or two will be available courtesy of Robert Graham Whisky.
There will also be a new education area, The Covey, which is a must-visit for all families, with a host of handson science, storytelling and wonderful arts and crafts throughout the show to inspire the next generation of budding young ecologists, which is such an important part of our work.
Elsewhere at the fair, there’s a huge amount to see and do, including our ever-popular shooting area, offering a range of new experiences for experts or those who have never picked up a gun, with lots of clay competitions to suit every age and ability.
Have a go is also on offer for those new to shooting with safety briefing and equipment provided.
You couldn’t ask for a more picturesque location for the fishing area, on the banks of the majestic River Tay. We revamped the fishing last year and it’s an area we continue to expand andevolve.wehaveanenhancedprogramme of events and guest speakers with fishing demonstrations from industry experts, a casting clinic and competitions such as fly-tying. For those looking for advice on technique, experts will be on hand at the casting clinic and there will be a plethora of fly dressing demonstrations and competitions to enjoy.
Last year we launched the Four Nations International Gundog competition, which was a resoundinvited
ing success. It’s back again this year and we’ve opened the entries up to international competitors. It’s really high-energy stuff to watch and very competitive.
Finally, we are planning a treat for all Land Rover lovers; the Classic Land Rover Display will make a welcome return to the fair. Visitors will be able to appreciate fine examples of a variety of models and makes. I’m really looking forward to their grand tour of the show on Sunday afternoon. Hugo Straker, chairman, GWCT Scottish Game Fair.