A host of new attractions have been promised for the 26th annual Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair.
The 2013 event was a triumph for organisers after the despair that followed 2012’s rain-plagued event and they are determined that the 2014 fair, which takes place at Scone Palace on Friday July 4, Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6, will be every bit as successful.
The event is Scotland’s largest game and outdoor fair and each year attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Perthshire. It provides a major boost to the local economy and offers an opportunity to showcase outdoor pursuits and businesses and Scotland’s larder.
This is going to be a year to remember, with the Queen’s Baton Relay visiting the fair site on Friday July 4.
The Commonwealth baton will arrive at Scone Palace at around 5pm as it travels the length and breadth of Scotland.
It will be carried through the fair before embarking upon a brief journey down the Tay to Perth.
New headline events for 2014 include the Welsh Axemen, who will take up razor sharp blades to compete against each other in a tree-felling simulation in the main ring arena.
The exhilarating tree climb finale is also predicted to be one of the highlights.
The main ring will also host the Fife Fox Hounds, together with the World of Gun Dogs, which will include a water retrieve and a meet the dogs session.
Regular star attractions including the gnat shooting, terrier racing, gun dogs, hill pony demonstrations, falconry and 4x4s will return and, away from the main ring, there will be more than 300 exhibitors offering a wide range of equipment, machinery, clothing and services.
There will also be a bigger and better food hall and cookery theatre, offering demonstrations as well as the very best artisan cheeses, game, poultry, meat, dairy, preserves, beers and spirits.
Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the fair, which has grown over the years to become of Scotland’s most successful summer events. Its opening day is now one of the most significant dates on Scotland’s rural calendar and its successful operation is of huge importance to the trust, which puts the proceeds into its research to develop game and wildlife management techniques and provide training and advice on how best to improve the biodiversity of the countryside.
It also works closely with schools to raise awareness of its work and of the importance of Scotland’s countryside, including staging an annual schools’ art competition.
The fair will run from 9.30am until 6pm daily.
For more information and full details of all the attractions on offer, visit www.scottishfair.com.