| GWCT SCOTTISH GAME FAIR
Scotland news Superb turn-out for Fair
T
hree days of sunshine bathed the GWCT Scottish Game Fair at the start of July and ensured a superb turn-out of visitors to Scone Palace parklands. Almost 35,000 people attended the Fair to celebrate its silver anniversary and soak up the relaxed, friendly atmosphere at what is now one of Scotland’s most successful events and a major celebration of game, wildlife and outdoor pursuits. We were delighted with the massive support shown by visitors, sponsors and trade stand holders who flocked to the tented village on the banks of the River Tay. Our own exhibit embraced the Year of Natural Scotland with a joint exposition with Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland to create an attractive and informative display promoting game and wildlife habitats. Olympic gold medallist Peter Wilson opened the event on Friday and proved to
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be a very popular guest as he toured the Fair. He also held a junior clay shooting workshop for four lucky youngsters and participated in a fun gnat shoot for our regional volunteers, before addressing guests at a special anniversary party in the evening. One of the most poignant sights was the parade of working hill ponies competing for the Fred Taylor Memorial Trophy. Turned out in their traditional tack and gleaming from mane to hoof, the ponies were a huge attraction for visitors and will, we hope, be a regular event at the Fair. Winner of the inaugural award was Victor of Alltnacailleach (6 years old), from the Garrogie Estate, Inverness-shire, with ghillie Christina Ellis. Ponies in the competition came from Balmoral Estate, Blair Castle, Garrogie, Invermark, Kinlochuichart, Tulchan of Glenisla and Reay Forest. Hugo Straker, the Fair chairman, said he was hugely encouraged by the overwhelming
support for the event which takes months of preparation: “We try very hard to put on a first-class show and this year we have received so many favourable comments that it makes all our hard work worthwhile. We saw many happy faces and are delighted so many people came to enjoy the event. Especially after last year’s disappointing cancellation due to the weather, we couldn’t have hoped for a better weekend and are looking forward to building on this success into 2014. “The support shown from Perth & Kinross Council and Scone Palace has been much appreciated and we hope that these relationships and those we nurture with our sponsors, suppliers, exhibitors and visitors will hold us in good stead for the future.” (Top main picture) Winner of the Fred Taylor Memorial Trophy, Victor of Alltnacailleach from the Garrogie Estate, Inverness-shire, with ghillie Christina Ellis and judge Peter Fraser.