FABULOUS SHOPPING AT BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS AND COUNTRY FAIR

Forget about city centres, farmers’ markets and shopping malls, the place for shopping next weekend is the Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair.

The annual event takes place at Blair Atholl from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th August and over 200 trade stands offer visitors the chance to buy everything from quality clothing and jewellery to fine art and furniture.
Perth farrier, Robert McFadzean has been exhibiting his handmade iron furniture at Blair Castle for a number of years now and said, “The event is a great shop window for my Fine Iron Design products. It is not so much about what I sell off the stand but about the orders I get throughout the year from people who have seen the iron work at Blair.”

If the contemporary metal style is not to your taste there are plenty of traditional furniture makers and even Carwhinley Hot Tubs – an essential addition to any home.

The tented village is a shopping paradise for ladies especially those who like the type of casual clothing supplied by Joules, Rugga Bugga and Mad Cowes, however at the other end of the spectrum is exclusive special occasion wear from The Silk Route. And what gentleman would not like a bespoke shirt from T M Lewin?

Also of special interest to the fit or wannabe fit visitors this year is the Techno-Gym stand which offers a range of high quality, high-tech gym equipment for corporate or domestic use.

Hi Ho Silver is just one of the stands with a range of up to date hand-crafted silver jewellery. Indigo House and Blue Designs are two more. Handbags are always a popular purchase at Blair and there are plenty to chose from. Forever Classic have a great range of the Glenalmond Tweed bags while new this year is Hell for Leather with a range of leather bags.

Rockpool Kids has a fantastic range of kids footwear and clothing while most children will find their favourite model horse at Horsesense or have fun on the Summit Climbing Wall.

Of course, it is not just those with two legs who are catered for at Blair, a complete wardrobe of clothes and accessories can be purchased for our equine and canine friends at shops such as Equafleece, Tuffies Dog Beds and Dogs and Co.

Anyone with horses knows what a time-consuming job it is to pick up the dung from the paddock every day so there should be lots of interest in the new muck-truck Scotland stand which sells motorised wheelbarrows to make the job easier.

The craft marquee is an ideal place to find that special gift to take home for someone or even to start some early Christmas shopping with many authentic and ancient Scottish crafts to the fore.

Once the car boot is full of purchases, why not take something home for tea as well? The Festival of Food offers highest quality organic beef and lamb home-produced on Atholl Estates from the Atholl Glens stand. Fudge, coffee and gastronomic delights from Provence are just a few more of the tasty treats available.

All the shops are open on all four days from 9am until at least 6pm so don’t miss the chance to buy some really different products, or just come along and browse between enjoying the host of equestrian and Country Fair activities on offer over the weekend.

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