As Scotland’s rural estates navigate an increasingly complex future, one thing is clear – the next generation will play a vital role in protecting and shaping these iconic landscapes for years to come.  This year’s GWCT Scottish Game Fair, taking place from 3–5 July at the historic Scone Palace, will bring together leading voices from across the rural sector to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s estates, land managers and sporting businesses.  Among them is William Murray, Viscount Stormont, custodian and general partner of the 19,000-acre Scone Palace Estate. As the 16th generation of his family to manage the historic Perthshire estate, William ...

Returning to the event for the 5th year in a row, NFU Mutual’s Customer Showcase Bar once again takes centre stage on their stand, offering visitors the chance to discover, taste and celebrate a carefully curated selection of drinks from some of their valued customers from across Scotland. The NFU Mutual stand is more than just a place to pause for a refreshment, the bar is designed to bring to life the stories, passion and craftsmanship behind the businesses that make us proud to be Scottish. A Taste of Scotland Year after year, they have shone a light on ...

Daniela Forbes brings a wealth of experience as a chef, food stylist, educator, and passionate advocate for simple, seasonal cooking. In this podcast, Daniela shares what visitors can expect from the Scottish Game Fair and The Scottish Venison Cookery Theatre, in association with The Scotsman, which she curates and hosts. Press play to discover what’s in store at the Scottish Game Fair 2026 and start planning your visit: Daniela will also be hosting the Family Cookery Workshop on Sunday 5 July, where children and parents can cook together in a fun, hands-on session. Families ...

There’s something truly special about summer in Scotland and nowhere captures the spirit of the countryside quite like The GWCT Scottish Game Fair at the stunning Scone Palace. Whether you’re visiting for the very first time or returning for another unforgettable weekend, the Scottish Game Fair is packed with excitement, entertainment, food, shopping, countryside traditions, and experiences for the whole family. From thrilling arena displays and hands-on activities to delicious Scottish food and live music, this is far more than just a country show, it’s a full weekend celebration of Scotland’s outdoor heritage. To help you make the most of ...

Visitors to this year’s Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair can look forward to breathtaking birds of prey displays as Elite Falconry returns to the Main Arena at Scone Palace this July (3-5).  Recognised as one of the UK’s leading falconry and birds of prey centres, Elite Falconry will deliver two live demonstrations each day across the three-day event, showcasing the remarkable speed, power and intelligence of some of the world’s most impressive raptors.  Among the stars taking to the skies above Perthshire will be River, a magnificent white-tailed eagle, alongside a variety of falcons, hawks, vultures and other birds of prey in a series of educational and entertaining flying ...

Up on his Argyll croft near Oban, the morning routine is already underway - feeding the sheep, checking the cows and getting the dogs out for a run.  For Peter MacQueen, broadcaster, author and a leading voice at the 2026 Scottish Game Fair, this isn’t just home. It’s where his daily work begins.  Alongside him are three familiar figures: Flòraidh the Westie, Peigi the Dandie Dinmont and Sùla the Scottish Deerhound. Together, they’ve become central to Peter’s growing mission to bring Scotland’s native dog breeds back into everyday life.  “I’ve always been a dog man at heart,” he says. “Just like most people you’ll meet at the Fair.”  After his Westie, Seòras, passed away ...

For more than a century, NFU Mutual has been committed to supporting rural communities, championing local causes, and helping those who rely on vital front‑line services. As a purpose‑led, member‑focussed organisation, this commitment shines through two key charitable initiatives: the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and the NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund. What is the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Established in 1998, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust is one of the main ways the business supports national charities working to protect and strengthen rural life. Each year, the Trust provides significant funding to organisations tackling some of the most pressing challenges ...

The countdown is on for one of the standout attractions of the summer as the Kronch Four Nations Gundog Competition returns to the GWCT Scottish Game Fair. Bringing together top handlers from across Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, the competition promises a fantastic showcase of skill, teamwork and exceptional dog work. We are delighted to announce this year’s team captains—each highly respected within the gundog community and bringing a wealth of experience to their respective teams. kronch Four Nations Gundog Competition 2026 Captains: Representing Ireland is William Megaughin Widely known as “Wee Willie.” William began training dogs in 1987 and quickly ...

The new fishing season is fast approaching, and there’s no better time to make sure you’re fully prepared for your first cast of the year. Whether you’re planning salmon fishing on Scotland’s iconic rivers, heading out after trout, or simply getting back onto the water after winter, a little preparation goes a long way. That’s why we’ve created a free Fishing Season Preparation Guide — designed to help anglers start the season informed, organised, and ready. Download Your Free Fishing Season Preparation Guide Start the Season with Confidence Every angler knows that rules, seasons and regulations ...

Get ready to be inspired by an exceptional line-up of culinary talent at The Scottish Venison Cookery Theatre, in association with The Scotsman. Across the weekend, our chefs will bring venison to life through live demonstrations and engaging masterclasses, sharing their creativity, expertise, and passion for this outstanding ingredient. Discover the faces behind the flavours and the chefs you won’t want to miss in 2026. More On The Scottish Venison Cookery Theatre, in association with The Scotsman The 2026 Chef Line-Up Amy Rankine Amy Rankine is a passionate forager based in central ...

Download Calendar The Scottish countryside follows its own rhythm – shaped by the seasons, the land and the sporting year. From crisp winter mornings on the hill to long summer evenings beside lochs and rivers, each month brings its own character, challenges and rewards. Our Countryside Calendar 2026 has been created to celebrate exactly that: a full year of Scottish fieldsports, wildlife, dogs and seasonal countryside life, brought together in one beautifully designed digital calendar. Available to download for free, it’s the perfect companion for anyone passionate about shooting, fishing, conservation and Scotland’s rich countryside traditions. Download Calendar ...

ENTER THE BURNS NIGHT GIVEAWAY Every year on 25th January, Scotland comes alive with the sound of poetry, piping, and celebration as we mark Burns Night, a tribute to the life and legacy of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. From formal suppers in grand halls to relaxed gatherings around the kitchen table, Burns Night is one of the most cherished dates in the Scottish cultural calendar.  Who Was Robert Burns?  Robert Burns, born in 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, is widely regarded as Scotland’s greatest poet. His work captured the voice of ordinary people, celebrating love, nature, politics, humour, and social justice often written ...

Register Your Band Compete for a £1000 cash prize! Scotland’s traditional music scene is rich, vibrant, and full of stories. One of the most exciting and community-driven traditions is the bothy band, a gathering of musicians with roots in folk culture that continues to inspire performers and audiences alike. In this blog, we explore what bothy bands are, why they’re so beloved in Scotland, and how they sparked the creation of our very own competition: Battle of the Bothy Bands. What Are Bothy Bands? A Musical Tradition Born in Community At its heart, a bothy band is a group of musicians often friends or neighbours who come together ...

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair is delighted to welcome Calton as official wealth management partner for the 2026 event. As one of Scotland’s leading financial planning and wealth management firms, Calton shares the Fair’s commitment to championing countryside traditions, responsible land management, and supporting rural communities. Calton have built a presence at the Fair in recent years and have committed to a multi-year partnership. Tom Ham, founder and CEO of Calton, said: “Calton has been from the start a family company rooted in rural Scotland, so we are proud to partner with the Fair from 2026. We share the values of ...

There’s something unmistakably special about the GWCT Scottish Game Fair. The air at Scone Palace hums with the sound of pipes and the scent of heather; the chatter of old friends meeting again; the gleam of a well-worn gun and the wag of an eager spaniel’s tail. This year’s fair was a celebration of everything that makes Scotland’s heritage unique: skill, community, competition, and above all, passion. Tradition and Triumph: The Fred Taylor Memorial Competition The ever-popular Fred Taylor Memorial Competition once again drew a crowd to watch some of Scotland’s finest working dogs in action. Across the moorland-inspired course, ...

We are pleased to report that the 2025 Junior Macnab Challenge was an outstanding success, with a total of 180 young participants taking part over the course of the three-day event. Friday welcomed 50 enthusiastic attendees, setting a strong start to the weekend. Saturday achieved a significant milestone with 70 participants, establishing a new single-day attendance record for the Junior MacNab Challenge. Sunday concluded the event with another excellent turnout of 60 participants. Supported by BASC, the Scottish Youth & the Countryside Education Trust (SYCET), and many others, the Junior Macnab Challenge is about encouraging young people to discover and ...

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair closed its doors at the weekend, Sunday 6 July 2025, after welcoming over 34,000 visitors to the iconic grounds of Scone Palace, reinforcing its position as Scotland’s premier celebration of the countryside. A record Saturday attendance, helped by sunshine defying weather forecasts, created a vibrant summer party atmosphere, highlighted by an electric performance from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Now in its 36th year, the Scottish Game Fair continues to serve as a vital platform for Scotland’s rural businesses, championing countryside traditions while providing education on conservation, sustainable habitat management, ...

Subaru UK has once again partnered with the GWCT Scottish Game Fair and will be on show with their range of terrain-conquering all-wheel-drive SUVs this year, when the event takes place at Scone Palace, July 4th – 6th. Subaru will also present the Kronch Four Nations Gundog Competition. This prestigious event showcases the exceptional skill, discipline, and partnership between top gundogs and their handlers from across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Additionally, the Rare Breeds of Scotland Sponsored by Subaru is a special celebration of the country’s most iconic and cherished native breeds, including special gatherings of Dandie Dinmont Terrier, ...