PICTURES: Moy Country Fair returned on Friday and Saturday for the first time since 2019 with a new name and focus on being family friendly
The countryside event drew large crowds who enjoyed the two days of entertainment and the best of country living on display.
Celia Mackintosh has hosted the Moy Country Fair, formerly known as the Highland Field Sports Fair, on her land at Moy Estate for decades.
Mrs Mackintosh was delighted to see the return of the terrier racing, an event she entered many times with her own dogs.
Highlights in the main ring included a farrier demonstration by Robin Pape, a falconry display, the Dalriada Ponies and a demonstration by the Scottish Moorland Association who showed a year in the life on a moor.
Elsewhere, clay pigeon shooting and gun dog handling were ongoing with novices and elites alike trying their luck, as well as fly fishing on the loch.
Keen shooters took a shot at the Botanist Gin Clay Shooting Competition offering a chance to win £750 in prize money over the two days.
There was plenty of food and drink as well as local stalls showcasing a variety of items from cheese, gin and dog coats.
There were two cooking demonstrations by chef Christopher Trotter who showed a beautiful dish with scallops and another with pork fillet.
For the first time the RNLI headed to the event and did an important water safety demonstration so people can be safe when canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Other charities were also on hand to promote their causes. The Highland Hospice brought a cow from their Great Heilan’ Coo Trail which will be going on auction in September. Mikeysline also had a stall to spread the message of their mental health support.
The Rotary Club of Inverness Loch Ness also had a stall.
The stall, organised by Rotarian Mike Halley, featured the display of a Shelterbox tent and accessories, an example of the kit dispatched by Rotary throughout the world to aid victims of humanitarian distress due to natural disasters and conflict.
These kits are refined as necessary to reflect the exact needs pertaining to each crisis, providing both shelter and a “home” to displaced families.
Chairman of the organising committee, James Campbell, said: “It’s just been great to get back and I think that people are delighted that we are running it here. We certainly missed it and it’s been tough to get going again but we’re delighted to be here.
When asked about the rebrand, he said: “We decided it would be a good thing so that we would attract a wider audience and people who like food, the countryside as well and shooting and fishing and all of the other things that people have always come to enjoy.
“It’s great to have the main ring events.”
