The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair Blair Atholl, Perthshire Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th August 2001

The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials is Scotland’s leading equestrian event, but a spectacular Country Fair and vast tented village have helped turn the show into something much, much more. An event which shouldn’t be missed by anyone with an interest in the countryside, horses or shopping!

This years event takes place from August 23rd to 26th in the magnificent surroundings of Blair Castle in Highland Perthshire.

Spectators of the equestrian activities can see the elegance of dressage, the thrills of cross-country and the accuracy and agility of showjumping, not to mention Highland Ponies, Hunters and Pony Club Games.

Entertainment in the Country Fair Arena over the weekend includes for the first time the RAF Police Dog Display Team from RAF Kinloss and Lossiemouth. Smokey Gray and his duck herding dog will be back and there is also falconry, fly-casting and terrier racing. In the main arena on Sunday, there is a spectacular display of falconry on horseback.

Another first for the show is a demonstration of Icelandic Ponies. These small, sturdy ponies have unrivalled stamina and unusual gaits of tolt and pace. They will be showing their paces in the Country Fair Arena on Friday.

The ever-popular vintage tractor display will be back along with horse logging, archery and dog agility, while children will love the bouncy castle, slides and can enjoy the thrills of mini-quad biking.

The tented village consists of well over 150 shops selling everything from fine art to saddlery and from country clothing to jewellery. The Scottish Craft Fair is a popular marquee with visitors, as is the food hall, which has grown significantly since it started three years ago.

New for this year is a garden centre, where local nurseries display and sell their garden and house plants.

The Bowmore Tasting Tent always has a steady stream of visitors through its doors, where they can sample some of Islay’s finest malt whiskies. Morrison Bowmore Distillers have been major sponsors of the event for six years now, and the quality and excellence of their support has helped to make Blair one of the finest sporting and country events in Scotland.