Am Bratach No. 190
August 2007
fiona@bratach.co.uk

Lairg Crofters Show — August 25 2007
A preview by Fiona Burnett

A warm welcome awaits you at the Lairg Crofters Show, this year falling a week later than usual, on Saturday, August 25.

The event — the only show of its kind on mainland Scotland — will be opened by local gala queen, Laurie Mackay, along with her attendants Erin Mackay, Alan Hamilton and Liam Spence.

We’ve reached that time of year again when everyone is practising for events, grooming their dogs and, yes, chinwagging so that on the day when they meet up with old friends they won’t come home hoarse.

Once again there will be the best dressed Thellwell character so make sure your pony isn’t too well behaved! (Does that apply to riders too?) George Blaikie and Ian Hamilton will be judging all things horsey.

Moving on to sheep, Steven Mackinnon, a shepherd from Keoldale, Durness, will be judging the woolly variety at 10 o’clock.
And be prepared to participate in the Inverness Dog Agility demonstrations.

Find out who takes first prize at the dog show. And while you wander round the showground experience Highland dancing performances around 11 o’clock with piping from the Caledonian Pipe Band at midday.

Don Mackenzie will be bringing along his huge American truck purely for show but kids and “big” bairns are welcome to climb aboard on the road to nowhere.

No matter what the weather an icecream always goes down well so search out the famous Capaldi’s van from Brora or if you seek a different refreshment step into the tea or beer tent.

The caged, large rabbits were a popular attraction for last year and their owner Morag Dalton from Lairg is back this year with her furry friends selling tweed cushions and other craft goods.

With the usual side stalls, junior sports events, field and heavy events and the famous terrier racing, there’s something here for everyone.

Paula White returns with Sign and Song, a session of sign language with music designed to aid babies with communication development.

Iona Shearsmith, show chairwoman, will be around at five to half-past five to hand out well deserved prizes and also draw the raffle.

Without wishing to dampen spirits, a word of warning! Please remember to bring your waterproofs, should it rain on the day, and that includes midge repellent too.

But it’s still not over. Wear out your shoes dancing to Blue Ridge, a lively Durness band, when they take to the stage at Lairg community centre from 9 o’clock for the end-of-show dance. You’ll be too busy dancing and enjoying yourself you won’t feel the midges!