The decision by the Royal Highland Show to change date next year has thrown Scotland’s diary of farm events into potential disarray.
The RHS has been brought forward a week to June 19-22 to bring it in line with Scotland’s school terms so pupils can still attend the national farming showcase.
But the change has usurped Alyth’s traditional slot on the third Saturday in June, forcing it to move to June 28.
Alyth secretary Patricia Lawson said it is the first time the show, due to be at Bogles Field, Blairgowrie, will be held after the Royal Highland but the change will be a “one-off date”.
However, the date problem could well continue in 2015 as there are only four Saturdays in June.
The expectation is for the Royal Highland to again be held over the weekend of the third Saturday of the month.
With Alyth set to return to its spot the week before the Highland in 2015 and beyond, that introduces the possibility of a clash with Angus.
“Angus Show has always been held on the second Saturday of June every year,” said outgoing Angus secretary Joan Keith.
In response, Mrs Lawson said any potential calendar clash would in fact be for Central and West Fife Show traditionally held on the first Saturday of the month and Angus Show to decide.
“Angus Show is always held around June 7 or 8, followed by ourselves, but due to the RHS changing dates and calendar dates, it will be West Fife who will clash possibly with Angus Show, not Alyth Show [in 2015],” Mrs
Lawson said confirming the 2015 Alyth date will be June 13.
“We hope the exhibitors we have spoken to will support this change, and we look forward to getting back to our normal date in 2015.”
Angus Show, which changed format this year to move its light horse competition the best part of a week ahead of its agricultural show, now spans two weekends.
The dates for Angus, which is recruiting a new secretary, have been set only as far as 2014.
Next year, the Angus Show light horse sections will be held on Sunday, June 8, while its main agricultural show with all the other classes will be on Saturday, June 14.
If it holds its traditional fixture of the second Saturday of each June for 2015, its agricultural show will clash with Alyth.
Central and West Fife Show secretary Pat Wilson confirmed the ‘Dunfermline Show’ will as always be the first Saturday of June, putting it on June 7 in 2014, and on June 6 in 2015.
Future forward dates for the Royal Highland Show will be ratified by the board of the RHASS at a meeting scheduled for October.