Rural Skills
Perhaps many of us have a picture in our mind of a smallholder with sheep, chooks, pigs and acres of land, yet the principles of smallholding can be applied whether you have access to many acres, a few or live in a town or city. It’s about moving from being a consumer to being a producer; of making things for yourself; of being a “home farmer”.
At the Festival, you can get involved with skills that have been part of smallholding for centuries.
But for 2025, there is no entry fee for the competition. All you have to do is confirm you are attending the Festival.
Entries are restricted to one per class for each exhibitor (with the exception of Sticks and Crooks).
In each section prize cards will be awarded to 1st to 3rd, who will also earn points towards the section prize. The prize of £10 will go to the entrant with the most points in section.
Rural Skills Competition
Our Rural Skills Competition (formerly Garden, Craft & Food) is a way for EVERYONE to get involved in the Festival – whether you are rural, urban or anywhere in between – and no livestock required (apart from the Sausages and Raw Fleece section!!!).
We have thirteen sections – Growing, Preserving, Sweet Treats, Daily Bread, Knitting, felting and crochet; Making; Floral Art; Eggs, Honey, Fleece & fibre, Sausages, Sticks & crooks and Raw Fleece:
Junior Creatives
And new for 2025, we have Junior Creatives – with two age categories (8 years & under and 9 years to 13 years) with classes to appeal to our young homesteaders:
Demonstrations
We also have a brilliant array of craftspeople who will be demonstrating their skills in willow working, stick and crook making, apple pressing and bread making.
Handcraft Workshops
Some of these craftspeople will be running short workshops that you can take part in.
Scottish Food Guide Theatre
We’re delighted to welcome back Wendy Barrie, from the Scottish Food Guide. Wendy will be running our cookery theatre, with cookery demonstrations and two tasting sessions throughout the day.