There was a questionmark hanging over the future of Scotland’s main winter primestock show last night after its latest attempts to be staged alongside AgriScot failed.
Discussions between the Scottish National Fat Stock Club and AgriScot, which organises the main winter business farming event at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre, had been ongoing for weeks.
The talks had centred on the club’s Scottish National Winter Fair primestock classes for cattle and sheep being held as part of AgriScot, which hosts one of the UK’s main shows of dairy cattle breeds.
But AgriScot chairman Andrew Moir, who farms at Mains of Thornton, Laurencekirk, said: “Considerable time has been spent looking at various options and these were discussed in detail at today’s AgriScot board meeting.
“The directors unanimously, but reluctantly, concluded that lack of space and logistical problems within the facilities meant that both events are not able to be accommodated within the same venue. AgriScot wishes the Scottish National Fat Stock Club every success for their future operations.”
The pair have tried to forge links in the past, but those previous attempts similarly ended in AgriScot saying no.
Club chairman Sandy Galbraith thanked AgriScot for considering the inclusion of the prime stock shows. But he added: “We are disappointed with the conclusion of the AgriScot board meeting. We believe that, with more efforts, the amalgamation of both our events was achievable, especially considering the extra space that is now available at AgriScot. We will always be here to talk. The Scottish National Fat Stock Club wishes AgriScot all the best in the future.”
But when asked by the Press and Journal what the decision meant for the future of the fair, Mr Galbraith declined to elaborate further. He was asked if it the fair had a venue for this year’s event, but said he had no comment to make.
The fair was dealt a considerable blow in January when the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland revealed it would no longer be supporting the club.