VOLUNTARY work by Scotland's farming community underpins the many agricultural shows that happen the length and breadth of the country, boosting tourism and bringing money into rural areas – but some local authorities seem less than appreciative.

This was the point highlighted by National Farmers Union Scotland's vice-president Martin Kennedy this week, as he spoke of his own experience at his local Aberfeldy Show, an event which brings in thousands of visitors to the market town in Perthshire, but which only happens thanks to the number of hours invested by local farming and non-farming volunteers.

"'Feldy Show is always extremely grateful to their sponsors but there is no question that the biggest sponsors are those who give up their time all week and officiate and run the two days to a high standard," said Mr Kennedy.

"Most nights there are between 25 and 30 helpers, with many of them having tractors, trailers, forklifts and associated tools that are required to put it all together and the same to take it all down which takes most of Sunday. If this was to be costed properly it would run into many thousands of pounds which is totally unaffordable for a small local show."

Mr Kennedy highlighted the revenue brought into rural areas by such events. In Aberfeldy last week, you would have struggled to book a room for the weekend and if you walked in to a restaurant for a bite to eat without booking you'd have a lengthy wait.

"There is no way either I nor any of the rest of us would ever dream of putting a charge in as everybody enjoys the banter and craic," Martin continued. "This is something that is hugely important in areas where many farmers are working on their own and certainly lifts what can sometimes be a pretty low moral given the current farming financial climate.

"But it frustrates me immensely when there always seems to be hurdles put in front of us by some local authorities," he said. "Our own show was basically pushed out of the old Victoria Park around 11 years ago where we, on a regular basis, improved the grounds by investing in services or trimmed back trees, etc. again at no charge. As it turned out it was the best thing that happened as we have now practically doubled in size in our new park just outside the town, but now face other charges like entertainment licences not just for the show but also for the Young Farmers dance at night.

"The tens of thousands of pounds that’s brought in to the local community doesn’t seem to matter – there always seems to be a tax imposed somehow."