It could have rained all day on the parade as far as spectators at the Highland Field Sports Fair at Moy Hall were concerned yesterday, and their enjoyment would not have been dampened in the least.
Starting with the Queens Own Highlanders Association pipe band playing their stirring sounds of Scotland, a constant stream of groups and talented animals entered the ring.
They had been welcomed by Louisa Cross, daughter of Lady Celia Mackintosh of Moy, who performed the official opening ceremony at 1pm.
She said: “We are very happy to welcome our visitors, national and international, including New Zealand, America, and it is a wonderful Homecoming event.
“As regards the rain, there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.”
In total agreement were children Eva Alford, who is almost two, and eight-year-old Freddie Jack, who were having a muddy good time.
Eva’s mum, Gillian, and her friend Jenny Henderson, had made the short trip from the Black Isle and were also having a great time, as was Caroline Jack, Freddie’s mum from East Lothian – despite their mud-caked offspring.
Also from the Black Isle and getting back to nature were Andy Rosie, and daughter Mirren, who got close to a pair of owls, which had been brought to the show along with other birds of prey, by Terry Large, from North Wales.
All this was going on as shots rang through the air in the sporting section of the event, with musket, and clay pigeon, shooting, as well as air rifle and catapult ranges, and archery target practice.
Showing a keen eye was sharpshooter Louis Norgate, 11, from Invershin, who shattered a clay pigeon as his dad, Colin Murray, looked on.
Mr Murray said: “This is his second go at shooting and he seems to enjoy the whole outdoors thing which is all good.”
Back in the main ring, Robin Pape from Beauly, a blacksmith with 30 years experience, gave a demonstration of his craft to a gathering crowd of onlookers, many captivated by the patient horse being shod.
James Murray, chief executive of the event, added: “There has been an exceptional turnout, despite the rain, so we would hope to get around 3,000 today and even more tomorrow.”
