HUGE EFFORTS are being made to ensure that nothing spoils the celebratory atmosphere at this year’s Scottish Game Fair.
Almost 40,000 people are expected to descend upon the Scone Palace parklands for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s 25th Anniversary.
The charity’s organising committee is working hard to put together “an extra-special show”, both to celebrate the silver anniversary and to rekindle the spirit of the fair following last year’s disappointment.
The 2012 fair was cruelly halted by the incessant rainfall that plagued the country throughout much of the year.
After just one day of the planned three-day run, the GWCT was forced to abandon the event for the first time in its history, leaving both itself and stallholders out of pocket.
A combination of hard work and the loyalty of supporters coupled with the GWCT’s efforts to compensate businesses has thankfully helped the event recover.
There is once more confidence that the 2013 event, which will take place on Friday July 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7, will be the best yet.
The trust’s Katrina Candy told The Courier: “We are looking forward to celebrating 25 years at Scone Palace and are gearing up for the biggest and best event in our history.
“We have put lots of hard work in on the ground to ensure that the site is much better prepared for bad weather.
“Of course we hope that the weather will be fantastic, but we are determined not to be beaten this summer.
“We have also been working in association with the Scone Palace estate to put in place contingency plans.”
Ms Candy continued: “There has been a great response from our supporters and it has been hugely positive to see our trade stand holders so keen to come back.
“In fact, we will be adding a number of new names to the trade village in 2013.
“We count ourselves very lucky to have such loyal supporters and traders.”
While much of the arrangements for the event are already in place, Ms Candy added that work was ongoing to ensure that the entertainment offered is of the very highest quality.
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.
Education is at the heart of the fair, but it is also about the celebration of outdoor pursuits, such as angling, gundog working, farming and clay shooting.
Trade stands offer local produce, machinery and services, while other attractions include exhibition shooting and archery, music, birds and animals.
Full ticket information is available by visiting scottishfair.com.
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly the Game Conservancy Trust) is an independent wildlife conservation charity that carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife.
Its scientists and research staff have expertise in the fields of birds, insects, mammals, farming and fish, and advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats.
mmackay@thecourier.co.uk