Scotland’s biggest two-day agricultural show kicked off with its biggest event yet with horse parades, foodie delights and family fun.
Thousands descended upon Turriff in Aberdeenshire over the last two days, eager to eye up the “best of the best” of Scotland’s agriculture and to enjoy a family day out.
Held at The Haughs, this year’s Turriff Show – which has been running since 1864 – had 1,500 classes of livestock, working dogs, poultry and vintage vehicles on display.
Other entertainment over the two days included Highland dancing, a funfair run by Codona’s Amusement Park, a “dinosaur invasion” and a classic car display.
Jane Craigie from the event’s marketing team, Jane Craigie Marketing, said this year’s show was possibly its busiest yet.
“It’s been brilliant,” she said. “I’d say it’s the busiest show we’ve had.
“The atmosphere has been fantastic and we had nearly two full days of sunshine.
“Everybody seemed just excited to be there. The whole show ground was busy but particularly today around the cattle lines and the sheep showing.
“Yesterday the dog show was a real hit and then the EQ food and drink pavilion has been absolutely mobbed for both days.
“The organsiers are so delighted with the support of the public and all of the exhibitors that came along as well as the sponsors. Without all of them a show wouldn’t be a show.”
Sold-out on pies and gin
A week before the event, the Ladies Day held at The Haughs helped to raise over £20,000 for local charities Scottish Huntington’s Association and The World Suicide Prevention Project.
Visitors to the show over the weekend were spoilt for choice with more than 300 stands of local food and crafts to browse.
A fine selection of horses, ponies and donkeys were paraded through the event on Sunday and today the finest of Grampian’s cattle, sheep, goats and Clydesdale horses were shown off.
For more evidence of the show’s popularity, Ms Cragie said you only have to look at the pies and gin.
The Netherdale resident said: “One lady this morning from Wark Farms – she makes the most fantastic pies – they had sold out on two day’s worth of stock (650 pies) by 3pm.
“They had to go back and bake a whole new load of pies this morning, so they were up at 3am baking another batch. They were absolutely thrilled.
“And I know there was a gin seller who had come with enough stock for two days and only had 10 bottles left this morning so I think they had to go back for more stock.”
Visitors turn out from all generations
Ms Craigie said it was great to see all the hard work paying off from the brilliant volunteers and those committed to showing off their animals.
Speaking to families with several generations attending the event, Ms Craigie added: “There’s every generation, you’ve got grandparents and great-grandparents.
“Nowadays where you have multiple generations coming to an event. But actually getting every generation turning out for something together it’s rare. It’s very special.
“It’s really loved by local people in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, it’s part of their year really.
“For generations, people have been coming to the show. There are some families whose great-great-great grandparents were showing cattle or coming to sell food at the show maybe six, seven or eight generations ago back into the 1800s.
“It’s a great social occasion. It’s a great showcase of the region, its heritage its food and its farming.
Pictures from the Turriff Show 2023
