Celebrate Scotland’s rural past this weekend

Gundog displays, ferret racing, sheep shearing and stock-judging are among the attractions at the National Museum of Rural Life’s Country Fair taking place this weekend.

Being held at Kittochside, East Kilbride on Sunday 2 June, clever canines from the Bow Wow Circus and Mordor Gundogs will demonstrate their training and talents and visitors can even have their futures foretold by Billy Bowler, a fortune-telling goat.

An Animal Encounters marquee offers the chance to meet hens, ducks, alpacas and goats, and families can take part in a mini Highland Games, complete with tug ‘o war, sack races, mini-caber tossing, welly throwing and mini-sheaf tossing.

The museum’s historic working farm will host sheep shearing demonstrations and stock-judging sessions where visitors can have a go at choosing the best-in-show from the farm’s Ayrshire cows, calves and Tamworth pigs. They will also be able to watch the dairy herd being milked and see the other farm animals, including sheep, hens, Clydesdale horses and Highland and Aberdeen Angus cattle.

In the main museum building, visitors can take part in craft activities and watch willow weaving demonstrations. There will be storytelling sessions for younger children with author, Coo Clayton and children can also join the The Big Boombastic Bee Bombing Brigadiers, a series of bee-themed activity sessions featuring interactive stories, seed bombs and silliness.

All of the museum’s attractions will be available for visitors to explore, including the impressive galleries featuring objects that tell the fascinating story of Scotland’s rural past.

Shirley Maciver, general manager, National Museum of Rural Life, said: ‘Our country fair is filled with family activities and is a great way to learn about and celebrate Scotland’s rural heritage. From discovering the importance of bees and enjoying animal antics to seeing our working farm and learning about the life of our rural ancestors, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fascinating, fun-packed day out.’

The Country Fair at the National Museum of Rural Life: 10am until 5pm. Ticket costs: Adult £11, concession* £10, child £7.50 (under 5s free). Family ticket £30 (two adults and two children). National Museums Scotland Members free. Tickets include Museum admission.

Tickets can be booked online at www.nms.ac.uk.