The popular GWCT Scottish Game Fair returns to the grounds of Scone Palace this weekend.
Last year was a big success with 32,400 people attending over the three-day celebration of the Scottish countryside from June 30 to July 2.
Following its popularity in 2022, the ‘Listen to the Land’ feature is returning to the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s central exhibit.
Listen to the Land, stories and discussion about Scotland’s natural heritage, is a celebration of the countryside with reflections on the rural past and on work now being done to protect the land for future generations.
Topics covered in the exhibit’s two venues include wildlife and landscape photography, game cookery, deer management, farming, fishing, conservation, reconnecting to the land and culture.
Those taking part include authors Merryn Glover, Jenna Watt, Malachy Tallack, Roger Morgan Grenville, Keith Broomfield, author and photographer Neil McIntyre, wilderness guide Eliza Brown, game chef Tim Maddams, master carpenter David Young, and Ed Smith, photographer and ‘character’ of the Cairngorms.
Linda Mellor, countryside author and photographer, and host of Listen to the Land said: “Stories have always been woven through my work as a photographer and a writer and this year’s Listen to the Land is going to be a real treat as once again I explore the stories of other country people through their work.”
Iona Laing, organiser of the feature for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, added: “Listen to the Land is just one part of the Trust’s central exhibit which also includes our main display highlighting our ‘three legged stool’ approach to conservation and game management.
“We also have our education marquee for youngsters and our Artists in Action, who this year are Mel Shand and Emily Crookshank. We hope that the visiting public will give all our activities their support.”
In addition, there are discussions on the future of deer management with Tom Turnbull, chair of the Association of Deer Management Groups and a hand-picked expert panel. Attendees can also hear Denise Walton and Kirsty Tait from the Nature Friendly Farming Network speak.
Crowds will delight in everything from gundog displays and competitions, falconry and hill pony demonstrations to shooting and fishing competitions plus off-road driving, foraging and foodie inspiration. Nick Nairn’s Riverside Restaurant is also returning, featuring a menu inspired by the produce available in Scotland.
