Mid Argyll Show organisers gear up for 125th event
One of Argyll’s most popular agricultural shows will celebrate a special anniversary this summer with thousands expected to attend.
The 125th Mid Argyll Show will be presided over by a local farmer who is following in the footsteps, not only of his father, but also his grandfather.
Alastair Dixon, who farms just five miles outside Lochgilphead, has been involved in the agricultural show for as long as he can remember, with fond memories of the event being held on his family farm and of his father and grandfather both taking the role of president.
Alastair spoke to the Advertiser about what the show means to him and the local community.
“I’m 31 now and was vice president for two years before becoming president,” he explained. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved in the show, but there are a lot of people who have been part of organising the show for much longer than me; some with more than 50 years of experience.
“It brings the agricultural community together, which is so important, but it’s also a chance for the general public to get an insight into farming and they get to see livestock up close and personal.”
This year’s Mid Argyll show takes place on August 10 at Kilmory in Lochgilphead.
“The site at Kilmory is great,” Alastair said. “We used to have it on a yearly lease, but now we have secured a long-term lease which makes a huge difference; just having that security is vital, and it has meant that we have invested in things like roads within the site so people can get around even when the weather isn’t so great, as the show field can get very wet.”
Making the show as accessible as possible has been one of the Mid Argyll Agricultural Society’s key priorities when organising the show.
“There will be a minibus shuttling people from the front at Lochgilphead to the show field, so it really is an easy day out for people,” Alastair explained.
However, the organisers are also keen to ensure that the event is not just physically accessible but also appealing to the community as a whole.
Alastair said: “We are always innovating and changing to make it appeal to all ages and interests; we want to be inclusive and relevant.”
And a quick look at this year’s schedules confirms the variety and innovation that Alastair mentions.
The huge number of categories in the home industries competition, for example, includes everything from shepherd’s crooks to friendship bracelets; treacle scones to vegan sausage rolls and mocktails to floral bridal headdresses.
The traditional livestock competitions will see trophies and prize money awarded in a broad range of classes including cattle, sheep, horse and dog sections, as well as the return of the poultry category as a result of avian flu restrictions being relaxed.
Beyond the competitive aspect to the show, there will be a whole host of events in which the - approximately - 2,000 expected attendees can participate, including sheep shearing challenges, pet events, terrier racing and fun rugby activities.
The Mid Argyll Pipe Band will entertain the crowds, as will bouncy castles, trampolines, a climbing wall, trade stands and a collection of vintage tractors and the Oban and Lorne Car Club.
With so much on offer, it is no wonder that an army of volunteers is needed on the day and during the planning stages.
“It takes so much work by so many people throughout the year,” explained Alastair. “There are special sub-committees for different aspects of the show, and we have to start planning each year’s show almost immediately after the previous one finishes.
"We need a large number of stewards and judges on the day, and we’re fortunate to have the Scouts helping out as well.”
Despite the tremendous efforts involved in running the show, Alastair is confident that the event has a secure and positive future.
“We celebrate 125 years of the show this year and I see no reason why we can’t go for another 125 years,” he said.
Entry forms and more information about the 2024 Mid Argyll Show can be found on the event’s Facebook page or at www.mid-argyllshow.co.uk
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