Galloway Country Fair, the biggest event of its kind in southern Scotland, has marked another successful year on the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle on 17 and 18 August.
The 2019 Fair – which celebrates the very best of rural life from entertainment and countryside pursuits to crafts and food and drink – welcomed 12,000 visitors across the two days, raising hundreds for charity too.
Organisers donated a total of £250 to the event’s official charity partner Cash for Kids, which was raised across the weekend through bucket collections and proceeds from programme sales.
With the focus on local Galloway producers this year, visitors could browse and sample the very best of products from the region. This included a Galloway Beef Scotch pie from Dumfries bakers The Little Bakery, Brigston & Co gourmet hotdogs and home baking for those with a sweet tooth.
Adding a touch of luxury to the weekend was Chef Fraser Cameron who performed four live cooking demonstrations in the Galloway Demo Kitchen, one of which included a Galloway Beef fillet with a £1 million whisky sauce from Annandale Distillery.
Alongside Fair favourites, Elite Falconry, horse whisperer Grant Bazin and Gundog displays from Buccleuch’s very own Lee Hartis, was quad bike stunt entertainer Paul Hannam who made his debut to the crowds at Galloway Country Fair.
The main Buccleuch Ring was packed with adrenaline-fuelled performances including Paul’s revved up breath-taking jumps and precision riding with electrifying tricks from world champion trial rider Dougie Lampkin MBE and his sons.
Visitors also got involved in the action too – entering their four-legged companions in the gundog scurry and trying their hand at clay pigeon shooting and fly casting, as well as experiencing the off road Isuzu 4×4 route from Lloyds, Team Challenge climbing wall and Blackstone Clydesdale horse riding.
Anna Fergusson, Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate Manager, said: “We had a fantastic weekend for Galloway Country Fair this year and we’re proud of the range of entertainers, traders and activities we had on offer for visitors.
“We aim to bring everyone together to celebrate the very best of rural life and I’d like to say a huge thanks to our organisers and sponsors who made this event possible and to all the visitors who came along across the weekend.”
