Tickets for the north’s biggest farming event are now on sale and this year’s Black Isle Show promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
The Black Isle Show now in its 180th year will take place on August 2 and 3rd at the Mannsfield Showground in Muir of Ord.
New to this year’s event is a tractor-pulling extravaganza which will take place on the show’s preview night with a prize pot of £2500.
And it is also part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 and will feature numerous events such as a vintage tractor parade and a discovery area where visitors can take a look back and experience techniques from through the ages.
Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology
Rod Mackenzie, the show’s secretary said: “The Black Isle Show is 180 years old and this year we are marking that fact by celebrating the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. We have loads of sideshow events planned which fit in with this theme but the biggest has to be a discovery area where people can learn about farming and how it has evolved over the years. There will be lots of ‘have a go’ attractions too so it’s great for small and big kids alike.”
Rod who has been involved with the show for twelve years added: “We have also decided that at our preview event on August 2 we will stage a tractor pulling contest as part of the ring entertainment.
We aim to have up to 28 teams of five people representing charities and community groups from around the region.
Whilst the Black Isle Show has charity status, we wanted to ensure that we are also doing our turn to benefit the community which has supported us for all these years and we thought a tractor pulling contest was a fun and relevant way to do this. We are encouraging teams to go to our website to register interest.”
Dancing sheep
The Black Isle Show will as always feature the usual firm favourites such as the livestock parade, more than 300 traders and stallholders, the craft and food hall, funfair and speciality bars and beer tents. Making a comeback this year will be the dancing sheep and for the first time, the crowds will be wowed by the Backdraft Fire Engine which will be pirouetting, showing off its wheelies and blowing flames three meters into the sky.
Marie Christie, Head of Development for VisitScotland Events Directorate said: “From our castles to our to ancient monuments, cultural traditions to our myths, stories and legends passed down from generation to generation – Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 will spotlight some of our greatest assets and icons as well as our hidden gems.
“We are delighted The Black Isle Show is celebrating Scotland’s current themed year by placing heritage at the heart of its varied 2017 programme. Now in its 180th year, I’m sure both locals and visitors to the region will enjoy the wealth of activities that this premier event in the Scottish agricultural calendar has to offer.”
Early bird tickets
You can grab a ticket to this year’s show online and get £2 off each ticket for a limited time AND get a bulk discount if you spend £40 or more. This means two adults with three children under 12 can get into the preview evening and the main show for just £36, compared to a gate price of £46.