The seminar programme this year will feature talks on forestry and hedgerows, finding the best breed of livestock for your land, and two case studies; the first from Jillian McEwen from Lunan Bay Farm in Angus who will talk about their journey into Goat farming, and then Kim Pinner from Mountain Hall Farm in Wales will be talking about their farm and the launch of their micro dairy. More talks will be added and announced in the coming days.

New Trade Exhibitors joining your favourite suppliers!

We’re delighted to announce that our Trade Hall will be busier than ever. The team from Grampian Trailer Centre are joining us for the first time, as are local suppliers Gammies Groundcare. Colin Glendinning will be bringing along his bookstore featuring many antiquarian and vintage books on agriculture and smallholding. Macduff 1890 will be on hand to talk about sourcing Scottish native and rare breed produce, and Framedrum Venison will bring their ethical venison products.

Not to say that your favourite suppliers are not back again. Drumturk Cheeses will return as will Craigievern Poultry, who will be in the Lairage this year with everything poultry; Dunmor Agri return for a second year, and Slipperfield Croft will be back with their Hebridean Mutton and Tamworth Pork. Angus Chain Saws will be back with their Avant loaders in the lairage. Craft stalls returning include Eeksie Peeksie, Lou Campbell Art, Uan Wool, and Ewenique Fibres.
Scotland’s Rural College will as ever be on hand with the most up to date advice and information. Rare Breeds Survival Trust, NFU Scotland, the National Sheep Association and the Landworkers Alliance will all be in the Hall to offer smallholders information and representation.

You will also be able to visit our sponsors Galbraith Group who will have a stand in the Hall.

The team from ScotGov will also be on hand to talk about the new Agriculture Bill, Poultry & Avian Flu, Women in Agriculture, Local Food, the Good Food Nation Bill, Land Reform and much else besides.

The return of the Sausage Competition

It has been many years since we hosted a sausage competition at the Festival, but with the development of the Cookery Theatre there is no excuse now! The schedule will be launched in the next few days but you will see classes for Pork and speciality sausages, Lorne as well as Beef, Lamb and other types of sausage! They will be judged raw and then cooked, with winners of each class going forward to the award of supreme sausage! So if you think your sausages are the best, (and lets face it we all do !!!), then watch the website for the schedule launch!

Focus on Rural Skills

This year there are a host of rural skills for you to look at and perhaps try. We welcome the return of the Stick and Crook makers, spinners and weavers, bee keepers and drystone wallers. But this year we have tanners, bakers, crochet, basket weavers, woodcrafters alongside the team from the SWI who will once again be providing judging of the highest level.
The schedule for the Garden, craft and Food Competition is here.

The Big Issue – “Smallholding – It’s more than a hobby”

Our discussion this year reflects growing interest in making your smallholding work for you, whether as a business or making a difference to your locality, or being part of the fight against climate change. Chaired by Claire Taylor, contributions will come from RBST, Scottish Agritourism, Galbraith, regional food groups and smallholding businesses. Join them for some inspiring ideas and thoughts, and challenge the speakers and yourself!