Get yourself to the Scottish Game Fair before it’s Scone…

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It’s game fair season and if you’ve never experience the Scottish Game Fair before, check out our preview for a few reasons why you should make your way Scone Palace on 3-5 July this year.

The Scottish Game Fair, held annually in the grounds of Scone Palace in glorious Perthshire, runs from 3-5 July. It is a celebration of all the things you’d expect from an event of this sort; shooting, fishing, dogs, falconry, food and a wider ensemble of all things countryside – including the odd highland pony thrown in for good measure. 

To package it up like any other game fair would do this quintessentially Scottish event a disservice however, and herein lies its charm. So, strap yourself in for a run down* the the reasons why you should head to Scone this July.

*A quick note before you embark on our whistle-stop tour of all this Caledonian gathering has to offer; it’s worth knowing that BASC members get 20 per cent off ticket prices, which you can book here.

There's a pipe band

Anyone who says they don’t like the bagpipes is either a. lying, or b. has just never heard them played in their rightful surroundings. And opening the Scottish Game Fair each morning is definitely one of those places where a pipe band belongs. They even come back to the main arena just after lunch if you happen to miss them first time around.

Prepare for the hairs to stand up on the back of your neck as you witness this patriotic musical display marching its way into the main arena. And, I defy you to not find yourself inadvertently tapping your foot along to the beat of Scotland the Brave within a couple of minutes of kick off – just ask the Boston Red Sox.

Ask BASC

As you would expect, BASC has a strong presence at the show. Our main stand, situated XXX, is the place to find members of our expert team, ready to chat through any questions you have or issues you need our help with. 

From deer management, pest control and firearms to wildfowling, conservation projects and working dogs – and everything in between – come and see us on any of the three days of the game fair for specialist, tailored advice.

On the subject of deer, we’re running a live Q&A with Scottish deer management experts including BASC deer officer James Sutcliffe on Friday 3 July. Head to the cookery theatre at 1pm to catch that one.

Representatives from Police Scotland will be on BASC’s main stand on all three days of the show too, so drop by if you have any firearms licensing questions you’d like to speak to them about.

We’ll also be officially launching our Four Seasons campaign in Scotland on Friday lunchtime, an initiative which showcases and celebrates the real value shooting delivers for people and the environment. Find out how you can get involved by speaking to any of our team on the main BASC stand during the show.

BASC member elevenses

We all know sustenance is key to fuelling any day out at a game fair, and it’s no different here. Luckily for you, we’re laying on elevenses for all BASC members in the hospitality area of our stand from 10.00-11.30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Come along and have a cup of coffee, an unbelievably good sausage roll and a bit of a chat, all on us, to set you up for the rest of the day. Breakfast of champions, we say. 

Shoot, shoot, fish

Whether you chose to shoot, shoot, fish, or a different combination of the three, is up to you in this year’s Junior MacNab Challenge. Held in partnership with the Scottish Youth and Countryside Education Trust, our Junior MacNabbers will be the ones bouncing round Scone wearing bright orange baseball caps. 

The event invites young people to take part in a simulated MacNab, involving fly casting, clay shooting at the BASC shotgun coaching area, and battering a target on our airgun line. Once you’ve completed all three, bring your stamped card back to the BASC stand to be entered into a draw to win some fantastic prizes each day.

It’s free (yes, free) to take part and you need to head to the BASC stand to sign up. Places are limited, so make sure you book in early on the day of your choice to be sure of a place.

Scottish cookery extravaganza

If wild food is your bag, BASC’s cookery theatre – sited to the side of our main stand – is the place for you. Throughout the weekend we will have some fantastic cheffing talent gracing the stage, starting with Lauren Houstoun from Glenkilrie Larder and Cook School on Friday at 3pm.

Saturday sees the turn of Scottish chef, food writer, broadcaster and private dining specialist, Sarah Rankin, who will be with us from 11am. 

Chef Sanjay Bhattacharya does a double-header on Saturday afternoon, beginning with a butchery demonstration from 2-2.40pm and following up with a game cookery masterclass from 3.30pm.

On Sunday morning at 11am, Sandor Szabó brings his unique style and flair to our stage, followed by a mystery BASC star cook on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

Book your tickets

So, if you’re looking for show that has it all this summer, visit the Scottish Game Fair at Scone. 

You can book your tickets here, and remember, being part of BASC means you get 20 per cent off ticket prices. Keep an eye on your inbox if you’re a member for an email containing a special discount code, if you haven’t already received one. We’ll see you there.

Not yet a BASC member? Join us here today.

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