My first Scottish Game Fair

A few weeks ago I went to my first Scottish Game Fair with Jamie and his parents. For them it's been a yearly tradition for a while and it was lovely to be asked to go along and for Jamie to be able to get a day off during the Summer (busy time for language schools).

2014 was the 26th annual Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair and I've never seen as much tweed in one place. It was fantastic. 

There were stalls set up selling things from Tweed jackets, leather bags, handmade jewellery & home-wares. There were a few people displaying their artwork and we came away with a few business cards to bare these people in mind once we buy a place. There was so much it's hard to remember. You could easily spend a lot, although not everything was super pricey.

In terms of entertainment there was:

World of Gundogs – *NEW* for 2014 and open to all with their own dogs
Archery
Gnat Shooting, back by popular demand
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Fly Casting
Air Rifle Shooting
The Scurry
Climbing Wall
Pipe Bands
Hill Ponies (Sunday only)
Falconry
Fishing
Gundogs
Children’s Activities including: quad bikes, face painting, archery, bouncy castle, climbing wall, super jumper and many more
Fun and Educational activities in the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust marquee
Super Jumper
Dry Stone Walling Demonstrations
Ferrets
Gnat shooting
4x4 Circuit (sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors)
Tug o’ War (Friday and Saturday)
Sheep Show - four times a day
Wimbledon Tent

 Really you aren't short of something to do and I can see how people can go for the full weekend. There was also cookery demonstrations but these were only on the Saturday & Sunday. 

 Jamie & I did a bit of clay pigeon shooting, which after half a bottle of prosecco and salmon sandwiches (provided by Mrs S) wasn't our best idea. 

 

My rifle shooting was much better.(J - Left, Me - Right)

 Finally (well not finally I just can't remember much else) there was the food tent. OMG! 

So many samples, so many good looking eats & drinks.

We came away with -

Wild Boar bacon and Wild Boar and Pear Burgers from Sillifield Farms. 

Trotters home-made hot pepper jelly, these guys make the best wild garlic pesto too. 

Braes of Gowrie non-alcoholic Elderflower fizz 

Sarah Grays Strawberry & Champagne jam 

Venison chirizo

 

Day Trip: Scone Palace

At the end of May I had my first holiday since Christmas - work has been mad busy - but I'm also trying to keep most of my holidays for the second half of the year (South Africa, 30th birthday and Christmas/New Year). As well as trying to keep it cheap, so we decided just to have a week pottering about at home. It also unintentionally happened to be the week that we collected our 10 week old kitten - Rudi - the Bengal cross - he's a little riot but brilliant.

On the Wednesday we planned a trip to visit Jamie's aunt & uncle in Blairgowrie. By the time we reached Perth we were a little (OK, two hours) early for out visit so we took a detour to Scone Palace - it costs £10.50 per adult to visit the palace and the grounds, or £6.50 for just the grounds. We just went for the grounds as we didn't have lots of time. 

The place is amazing, the sun was shining which probably helped and it wasn't very busy as it was mid-week.The two older gentlemen who were manning the gates were lovely, very knowledgeable and one a fellow Jambo! Can't get better than that.

 

I could have spent a lot longer there, it would have been a great day to sit down with a book & a blanket, or a picnic.But we had our Tesco meal-deal and headed off for tea & scones at Jamie's relatives instead.

My two favorite boys