Oh it’s August and that means one major event in Moray’s calendar which just cannot be missed
Oh it’s August and that means one major event in Moray’s calendar which just cannot be missed – the Keith Show!
The show is held over two days, 11th and 12th August http://www.keithshow.org.uk/ and has everything in the agricultural and rural life –from coos, cabs and cauliflowers to pigs, pipes and performers. It’s a great event and even though I hate to use the cliché, you just have to when talking about this show, as it’s got something for everyone no matter your age or your interest.
Now primarily it’s an agricultural show, and I‘m not a farmer (obvs) … but I think it’s the last in the season, so this is where you get the Champion of Champions crowned – those who have won their heats around Scotland so there are some magnificent beasts to see here. And you know what? These animals know they are the best the way they strut around the arena on parade. So there’s the huge Aberdeen Angus bulls and cows, pigs, sheep, horses on show and showjumping and it’s all brilliant to see.
But you don’t have to even have a pure bred animal to win a prize as the pet show has a class for the dog with the waggiest tail and another for the dog with the most appealing eyes and best fancy dress costume as well as all the usual … almost everyone a winner I suspect.
But it’s not just about animals, there’s archery, chainsaw carving, a demonstration of halter making, craft tents, trade stands, a terrier race (more animals) and an amazing truck display with modern trucks and vintage trucks and all sorts of fun events to entertain visitors from the smallest toddler to the oldest adult.
It’s a real taste of rural farming life without the hardwork.
And no show in the north of Scotland would be complete without the pipes, and the Keith show is no exception. This year the local pipe band, the Strathisla band, are celebrating their centenary so will have lots of people supporting in the competition and when they perform in the massed bands. On that musical note, on the evening of Saturday 10th August there’s a Marquee dance with the Irish Country Act, Shawn Cuddy and his Band and, local singer Ellie Robertson. Strictly 16s +
Food? Yes of course! Drink? Yes it’s licensed so leave the car at home and give us at Ace Taxis a call and we will drop you off and pick you up so your only footwork is around the show and possibly on the dance floor in the evening!
Shows like this celebrate the countryside that we live in and this, in my opinion, is one of the best around. It’s been running annually since the 1870s and is thought to have emerged from the ‘Simmereve Fayre’ which dates back even further to around the 1700s.
The town of Keith (population around 5,000) is located almost half way between Inverness and Aberdeen on the A96 and has origins way back to the 11th century. It’s a thriving wee town with some great independent shops, the Strathisla Distillery – home to Chivas Regal whisky and its own brewery the Keith craft brewery https://www.chivas.com/visit-strathisla– https://www.keithbrewery.co.uk. One thing you really want to arrange when visiting Keith is a trip on the fantastic Keith to Dufftown railway, a 15 mile stretch of rail linking Keith with Dufftown in the heart of Speyside on some historic rail stock. https://keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk/. So make a weekend of it and visit the town, distillery and the show book through Ace Tours and we will make it a great weekend.
