AS harvest season approaches, escape the city for a family day out at a country fair.
Many feature events and activities aimed at children and young people, and seeing livestock and fresh produce helps establish the connection between farm and fork.
Galloway Country Fair
Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
The two-day celebration of country life features displays of falconry, gun dogs, sheep, racing terriers and horses – the latter with celebrated “horse whisperer” Grant Basin.
See stunts by Galloway Motor Cycles and quad biker Paul Hannam and watch food and drink demos from the likes of Crafty Distillery and Auldgirth Inn. There’s a quiet area for babies and infants and a free fun zone for older children with a climbing wall and rides on gentle Blackstone Clydesdales.
For a camping spot, contact info@drumlanrigcastle.co.uk
August 17 and 18, Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate, £13, £10 concs, £5 ages 5-15, under fives free. www.gallowaycountryfair.co.uk
Black Isle Show
Muir of Ord, Highlands
Situated around nine miles west of Inverness, Muir of Ord’s Mannsfield Showground hosts the largest agricultural show in the north this week.
In addition to the livestock parades and horse show, trade stands, food and craft fairs and fairgrounds, the main ring attraction this year is Broke FMX, a freestyle motorcycle stunt team whose athletes jump 35 feet in the air.
July 31 and August 1, Mannsfield Showground, Muir of Ord, £15, £10 concs, under 12s free. tel: 01463 870870. www.blackisleshow.com
Glamis Country Fair
Glamis Castle, Angus
The first Glamis Country Fair and Horse Trials begin on Friday, giving those who compete at novice level or below the opportunity to take part in a grand event more associated with an international competition.
As well as the horse trials, there’s a dog show, birds of prey demonstrations and an array of trade stands from outdoor specialists such as Active Breaks, Holland Cooper and Motorhome Services Scotland.
The grounds of the the Queen Mother’s childhood home will also feature food and drink stalls from the likes of Carnoustie Distillery, Tay Spirits and Langston Farm, suppliers of high welfare meat.
August 2 to 4, Glamis Castle, Forfar, £12, £5 children. www.glamis-castle.co.uk
Berwickshire County Show
Duns Castle, Borders
See vintage machinery and classic cars at the livestock showcase, organised by community groups in partnership with Berwickshire’s Agricultural Association, founded in 1885.
Their 132nd annual show takes place in the tranquil grounds of the 14th century castle and also features a dog show, hunting hounds and racing terriers as well as trade stands, crafts and displays of equestrian vaulting, an extraordinary practise of gymnastics on horseback which dates back to the ancient world.
August 3, Duns Castle Estate, £8, £5 concs, £1 children. Tel: 01890 781006. www.berwickshirecountyshow.org.uk
Peebles Agricultural Show
Cardrona, Borders
Peeblesshire Agricultural Society’s annual show in Cardona, between Peebles and Innerleithen, features one of the largest entries of livestock in Scotland and is one of the qualifying rounds for Scottish Suffolk Sheep of the Year.
With over 100 trade stands, there’s also main ring entertainment, show jumping, horse and poultry classes.
August 17 to 19, Nether Horsburgh Farm, Cardrona, £12, £8 concs, under-12s free. Tel: 07753 495922. www.peebles-show.co.uk
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