[robert waddell]

there are 8 regions that organise the RHS in the good old days when the show travelled the country they had a different area every year
then they decided it was cheaper and easier to have a permanent location  and hence ingilston was adopted as home to the RHS

[Rosemary]

I've seen old photos of when the RHS was held in Alloa in 1929. By the power of google, I found a silent film of the champion cattle and horses. Now to find out how to watch it 

southernskye, we're going to the Smallholder show in Wales too. So is Andrew, on here. It's a great show - you'll love it. We went in 2009 for one day - going both days this time as we didn't see it all in one day.

[southernskye]

Morning Lillian, Rosemary,
                                   Thank you for the information on the RHS and the way it used to be. I now understand the name. Shame it wasn't changed though to be more accurate, The Royal Scottish for example...still they have Highland games down south too .

Rosemary: It is good to hear the RWAS(?) is a fine day out. We've booked tickets for the Saturday and, if we have a good time/do not see everything, will go on the Sunday too. It's a long way to travel for us but I have been yearning to go for several years. I cannot wait ! 

I will look for the TAS cake stall 

Rgds
SSkye

[Fleecewife]

I think it would be brilliant to have a smallholders show in Scotland so do collect as many ideas as you can while you are down in Wales.  What are the dates for that?

[Rosemary]

21st and 22nd May

I did have some discussions a few years ago with the organisers of Gardening Scotland about extending it to smallholding, but it came to nought. I didn't have time to chase it up.

[doganjo]

If you have an email address perhaps Scottish TASers could get in touch with them and ask them nicely if they would consider it.  Power of the people stuff may be required?

[Glentarki]

I'm afraid I'm guilty of entering poultry and doing the no show bit in the past ...I will be there both Thursday and Friday and more than happy to meet up with anyone for a natter over a cuppa and hog roast roll

Dave

[HappyHippy]

21st and 22nd May

I did have some discussions a few years ago with the organisers of Gardening Scotland about extending it to smallholding, but it came to nought. I didn't have time to chase it up.

I'm hoping that maybe, perhaps, eventually, between the RBST, CSSA, SPKA and 'Friends of Palacerigg rare breeds' that we can get some kind of smallholder show organised ........ perhaps using Palacerigg Country Park as a location ?
They have the space, parking and facilities already in place and the new manager there seems quite keen to do new things 
The other possibility is that Kirkintilloch show may consider making their show more of a smallholders event - I know from speaking to someone involved with it that they feel they struggle to attract farmers and it's mainly the equestrian side that have a big turnout and while this is a good thing they'd like it to be something a bit different to attract more visitors. I'm up there on the 14th of May (with some gorgeous Kune Kune piglets to cuddle ) so will make some tentitive enquiries .......... watch this space 
Karen x

[robert waddell]

don't want to put a downer on the palacerigg venue    but the both days that i was there when i left the road was chaos and cars trying to get in could not and going away  also cars parked on both sides of the road 

[robert waddell]

also concider lanark/stirling mart(they have the penning and car parking      or even ingilston

[doganjo]

Ingliston charge £3 a car!  I certainly would back Lawrie & Symingtons at Lanark - lots of both indoor and outdoor space!

[Fleecewife]

Palacerigg are hoping to convert one of the paddocks beside the drive into temporary parking for big events, which should ease the problem.

Ingliston have been approached and are not really interested.  Also, it is an extremely expensive venue, so the only possibility there would be to combine with another event such as the Gardening thing.  Thinking about how much it costs to enter animals for the Highland Show, there wouldn't be many entries at that site for a smallholders event.

Kirkintilloch would be very interesting although it would remain smallscale I would think.  But it could set the trend for other local agricultural shows to go down that route.

For Lanark, there is a large field across the road from the mart where the Medieval Fair is held (the racecourse  ) , which could combine with the mart itself  to host a large smallholders event, with room for lots of stalls and so on.  Lanark does have the advantage of being accessible from England and from the southern half of Scotland, but the Central Belt might get overall greater numbers.

[McRennet]

I'm going on the friday, I shall be bringing my dear mother with me....

But she's a good laugh and may possibly be helping me to purchase some more goats in the near future...

How about we get t-shirts that say 'The Accidental Smallholder'
Then we will definately know who's who!

Or it maight be cheaper just to have 'TAS'....

McR

[doganjo]

Lanark does have the advantage of being accessible from England and from the southern half of Scotland, but the Central Belt might get overall greater numbers.

Lanark's only about an hour from most bits of the Central Belt

[goosepimple]

Yes, I went on a website to have a t shirt printed with goosepimple on it - the t shirt was cheap but the printing plus the vat plus the postage - it was going to cost me £18.00+ - easier to get an old t shirt and felt pen it on (sorry am I a cheapskate), or maybe for instant authenticity painting it on in chicken poo might add that certain aura the Highland Show deserves.