The GWCT Scottish Game Fair returns to Scone Palace in Scotland from 1- 3 July with an incredible itinerary of displays, demonstrations, have-a-go attractions and exhibitors covering everything from fishing and shooting to gundogs and falcons.
With so much to see and do during the event, which is once again sponsored by NFU Mutual, visitors might need a helping hand to make sure they don’t miss any of the highlights. Here are the top ten things to see and do at this year’s three-day event:
1. GWCT Storytelling: Listen to the Land
In celebration of VisitScotland’s Year of Stories initiative, the GWCT has gathered an array of authors, scientists and knowledgeable speakers to tell their tales and accounts, celebrating the countryside, reflecting on halcyon days from the past and current work being done to protect the land for future generations.
Edinburgh Bookshop will also be on hand selling books, including many by our guest authors, so you could get that sought-after signature! Talks will be hosted in the Children’s Nest, the Adult’s Hive and the GWCT Working Conservationists marquee, all located around the GWCT Central exhibit by the main arena. Find out more and book your place here.
2. The Nick Nairn Riverside Restaurant sponsored by J.W. Galloway
This year sees Stirling-born celebrity chef and restaurateur Nick Nairn heading to The GWCT Scottish Game Fair for the first time and that means foodies are in for a treat. Nick will be creating a bespoke menu for visitors to the new riverside restaurant, sponsored by J.W Galloway, and mingling with guests to share his stories of appearing on the BBC’s Ready Steady Cook and cooking for HM The Queen on Great British Menu.
Nick will also be taking part in live cooking demonstrations throughout the event using both local game and prime Scotch beef and lamb from Scottish butcher J.W. Galloway. An unmissable attraction for those who love seeing how professional chefs create truly spectacular dishes from good, honest ingredients. Find out more and book your tickets here.
3. The Main Ring
The Main Ring is the beating heart of the GWCT Scottish Game Fair where visitors are treated to an incredible array of displays and demonstrations from every corner of the Scottish countryside - and much further afield! For three days it will host twice-daily displays from local Scottish pipe bands as well as gundogs, falconry, dog agility, fishing demos, thrilling lumberjack displays, hill pony competitions and terrier racing. Sitting on the grass to chat with friends or leaning on the fence to watch some of these unmissable attractions are an essential part of a visit to The Scottish Game Fair. Find out more.
4. Fisherman’s Row
The enviable location of the Scottish Game Fair, with the grounds of Scone Palace reaching all the way to the bank of the river Tay, provides anglers with a true fisherman’s playground at the event. A visit to Fisherman’s Row will delight both passionate anglers and those who are keen to learn more about the pastime.
There will be casting demonstrations from leading names such as Stuart Sutherland, Andrew Toft and Scott McKenzie among many others, and the chance to have a go under expert tutelage will help fix any quirks in your own casting. Their expertise and enthusiasm might even inspire you to enter one of the distance or accuracy casting competitions for ladies, gentlemen and junior anglers over the weekend.
Fisherman’s Row also offers visitors an unrivalled opportunity to look at the very latest angling equipment, accessories and experiences on the market and chat to the people at the heart of the sport. Find out more.
5. Gunmakers’ Row presented by Pulsar
Shooting and stalking enthusiasts are spoilt for choice when they take a wander along Gunmakers Row, which is once again sponsored by Pulsar and their night vision and thermal optics products. You can expect an enormous range of new and used shotguns, rifles, airguns, optics, accessories and clothing from all the leading brands and newer, lesser-known names. Those new to the sport will find a willing ear to answer all their questions and plenty of guidance for how to take their first steps in the sport.
There will be clay shooting experiences organised by Pentangle Shooting Services and Buchan Field Sports, with their teams on hand throughout the weekend to help newcomers get off to a flying start and improve the shooting of even the most seasoned clay shooters. Flurries and other shooting competitions will run all weekend and ensure there’s something for competitive visitors to get their teeth into on all three days of the show. Find out more.
6. The World of Gundogs
Always a popular choice with visitors old and young, the World of Gundogs is the place to go for anyone who loves a waggy tail and seeing these skilled animals trained to perfection. As well as displays and experts on hand to answer questions there are also a range of competitions throughout the weekend. These aim to replicate the conditions in the field and see gundogs tested on their hunting, marking and retrieving abilities as well as their steadiness to shot.
Categories already confirmed for this year include spaniel and retriever tests, junior handler tests and the ever-popular scurry. The exciting Four Nations International, sponsored by Sporting Saint, which sees spaniel and retriever teams from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales compete head-to-head, returns to the gundog arena for 2022. Find out more.
7. More Fantastic Food & Drink
A visit to the GWCT Scottish Game Fair isn’t complete without a visit to the Food Hall. There you’ll find a huge variety of food and drink from Scottish artisan producers and tasty delights from further afield. From a sample here and there to keep your energy levels up for the next attraction to buying some amazing produce to take home, there’s something for every taste and appetite in the Food Hall.
Fancy sitting out in the sunshine to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat? The Field Kitchen is the place to head with a fantastic range of BBQ and bistro foods, with the GWCT Scottish Game Fair’s largest ever bar and beer garden. From fish and chips to wood-fired pizza you’re sure to find something to whet your appetite. If all the food and drink you enjoy inspires you to learn more about cooking yourself, why not head over to our eighth attractions in the top ten? Find out more.
8. The Kitchen Theatre
Foodies, budding chefs and fans of game cooking take note - the Kitchen Theatre returns for 2022 and once again features demos from top-notch chefs and celebrities, all creating incredible dishes from Scottish produce.
With a clear focus on sustainability, local farming and game, the Kitchen Theatre will inspire you to try something new when you next don an apron and take to the kitchen and show you how to turn simple game into a show stopping meal. There are five demonstrations every day so it’s easy to plan your day to make sure you take in at least one…look out for celebrity chefs too! Find out more.
9. Activity Row
The jam-packed Activity Row will be packed with have-a-go stands for everything from bushcraft and countryside skills to quad bikes, laser tag and climbing walls. If your party includes anyone young enough to need tiring out, this is the place to head to. There are also demonstrations from the legendary Simon Whitehead and his Pakefield ferrets and a hilarious, entertaining and educational sheep shearing show.
If you prefer your ‘activity’ to be powered by an internal combustion engine, why not head over to the Off-Road Driving Experience? This year Isuzu and Subaru have partnered to bring a selection of their 4x4 cars for visitors to try, with 30-minute test drives available on the off-road driving course throughout the event. Find out more.
10. Shopping
This year’s event is set to welcome over 400 exhibitors for one of the biggest outdoor shopping events in Scotland. They will be showcasing everything from the local food and drink to country fashion and footwear, fieldsports accessories, gifts and homewares. If the thought of carrying your purchases around all day makes you feel weary, the charity-run Shop and Drop service will take the load and raise money for this year’s chosen charity. Find out more.
Need to Know
- The GWCT Scottish Game Fair Takes place at Scone Palace Parklands, Scone, Perthshire, PH2 6BD from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 July 2022.
- The Scottish Game Fair is run by The Game Fair Ltd under licence from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, ensuring a set income every year to help support their charitable aims.
- More information about the GWCT Scottish Game Fair can be found here: www.scottishfair.com
Tickets
- Adult: £20 in advance for one day, £36 for two days or £56 for three days.
- Family: £46 in advance for one day.
- Children: £6 in advance for one day, £10 for two days and £15 for three days.
- The event is proving to be very popular this year and we strongly recommend booking tickets in advance here.