NEW Royal Highland Show chief executive, Allan Laidlaw, certainly exhibits a ‘been there, seen it, done it,’ practical side. But this week he revealed a little bit about that experience.

Encouraging youngsters to travel and learn at the 40th anniversary dinner of the SAYFC’s International Trust, Allan recounted some of his experiences to the welcoming dinner for most of this year’s incoming international exchangees and some of the Scottish Young Farmers who are going abroad later this year.

Living up to the maxim that a kilt is a passport to anywhere, he recalled visiting south America. On a bit of a night out, his driver told him not to go to a certain district and certainly not to go to a certain pub.

So, you know what’s coming next, the taxi driver returned for him to find him in the very pub, whereupon he advised him not to go anywhere near a big dude in the corner with huge muscles, a shaven head and a growler of a face.

The taxi driver turned his back for one minute only to turn around and find a be-kilted Allan with the big fierce man’s arms around him – apparently his great granny came from Scotland!

 

 

 

Drinking excess!

THE DRAMS were flying, recently, at Trump Towers – also known as Turnberry Hotel – when Lawrie and Symington chairman and farmer, Brian Dickie and his wife, Elma, celebrated their ruby wedding.

Perhaps emboldened by drink and partly to thank his host, Stewart Bryson, former owner of SW Seeds, ordered a nightcap for the four left at the bar – himself, Brian, Rab Mitchell and Robert Dalgleish. The chosen malt was a family favourite of Brian’s, a Springbank single malt, so doubles were preferred.

However, Stewart just about spluttered up the finely decorated walls of the bar when the bill came. To say it was eye-watering is an understatement!

 

 

 

A new show attraction

It could only happen in the West Coast – I refer to the soon to be annual ‘wife carrying’ competition at the Road to the Isles Show.

Held in the goldfish bowl of Camusdarach, between Arisaig and Morar, the show has a splendid location, with the backdrop of the Black Cuillins on Skye, with Rhum and Eigg to the south.

But I don’t think they will ever have witnessed what they saw last Saturday – a record entry for the wife-carrying race.

Now this could actually be a world record – for I’d never heard of it before – but it’s sure to catch on in all but the stuffiest of shows.

The scene was set by show convenor, parking attendant and commentator, Angus Mackay, who announced early in the day: “We’re having a wife-carrying race at 2.30pm and for those who are not married, you have until then to get one!”

It needed four heats to achieve a winner, with some strange configurations vying for the title of the daftest way to carry your ‘wife’!

One contestant was so intent on winning that he refused a pint in the beer tent: “I’m in training for the wife race and if she gave up breakfast to weigh in light, then I have to do my bit.”

A teuchter refusing drink – an enquiry must be held!