A diverse line-up of country and sports events is set to give the Perth 800 celebrations a more traditional feel during August.
The South Inch will host the annual two-day Perth Show on Friday and Saturday, with something for all the family including trade stands, a craft and food fair, competitions, exhibitions and a chance to see some rare breeds of Scottish livestock.
On Sunday,the South Inch is the venue for the Perth Highland Games, one of the most popular venues of the Highland Games circuit, where there will be the usual events, including weight throwing, tossing the caber, shot putt, Highland dancing, piping and the tug-o-war.
On the same day The Ride to Perth bike ride is being held, ending with a cycling-related festival of events on the North Inch and a buffet reception at Bell’s Sports Centre.
The ride will be an easy-paced cycle along the course of the River Tay from Kenmore to Perth, led and marshalled by experienced cyclists from the ByCycle group.
Medieval times will be brought back to life on Saturday August 21 when Perth Racecourse holds its special Perth 800 Raceday. People are invited to come along dressed in medieval attire to enjoy the racing, plus an afternoon of jousting with re-enactments of King William I presenting the Royal Charter to Perth.
There will also be an afternoon of family entertainment with the opportunity to win a prize for the best 1210 outfit.Equestrian themeSticking with the equestrian theme, the Blair Castle International Horse Trials come to Blair Atholl from Thursday, August 26, to Sunday 29.
The annual showcase of equestrian events will include three levels of horse trials, cross country, dressage and show jumping.
The Country Fair takes place on the Saturday and Sunday with displays, demonstrations, more than 200 trade stands and a food hall.
To round off the packed August programme, Gleneagles will host one of Scotland’s top golfing tournaments the Johnnie Walker Championship.
Played over the PGA Centenary Course which will be the 2014 Ryder Cup venue the event always attracts some of Europe’s top golfers, including Championship chairman Colin Montgomerie.
It carries extra significance this year as the last event where golfers can play their way onto October’s Ryder Cup team. This should be reflected in a high calibre field.
The tournament will be held from Thursday, August 26, to Sunday, August 29.
Provost John Hulbert said, “August’s line-up of events reflects the rich mix of what Perth and Kinross has to offer in terms of traditional country sports and the ability to host major sports events like the Johnnie Walker Championships and Blair Horse Trials.”