Smallholding Scotland is delighted to confirm that Scotland‘s only pig show is moving to a new venue and date as part of the Scottish Smallholders Festival. With the support of the Scottish Government, the event will be held at the Royal Highland Centre on October 14, 2023.

The move gives the event a much larger venue to accommodate everything wonderful that the Festival has to offer the visitor. Livestock shows and displays include pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, equines, and the odd alpaca or two. There is also food, crafts, a trade hall, and practical demonstrations, as well as a fabulous array of speakers ranging from those who have had experience of starting their own small farming ventures through to discussions led by SRUC.

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As the only pig show and showcase in Scotland, the event is particularly important as a rare opportunity for the general public and agricultural community to see pedigree native breeds such as Large Blacks and Oxford Sandy and Blacks, modern breeds such as Duroc and Pietrain, as well as the world’s smallest breed of pig, the Kunekune, imported originally from New Zealand.

It’s an invaluable chance to talk to their breeders, learn about pig keeping, and, most importantly, taste the outstanding quality of pork from outdoor-reared pigs. This is supported by the highly competitive sausage competition where pedigree pork sausages from different producers go head to head for the coveted title of “champion sausage”.

The Festival aims to nurture the pig keepers of the future and has two classes for young handlers, supported by generous sponsorship by Dyfodol Pedigree Pigs.

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As well as the young handlers classes there is the opportunity for visitors to learn how to handle pigs by taking them around a specially designed course to try and mimic the movement of pigs around the farm as well.

The festival endeavours to support the nine British native breeds, all of which are on the RBST Watchlist. This year sees the RBST 50th Anniversary celebrated by a special Championship competition, including goats, sheep, and pigs that are currently on the Watchlist. Ensuring that currently rare breed lines are preserved means that the individual qualities of these breeds are retained for future generations.

With the increased interest in regenerative farming and agroforestry, plus rising consumer interest in food provenance, quality, and animal welfare, new markets for native breed pigs are emerging and the Festival is an ideal opportunity to explore them.

The closing date for competition entries is October 1, 2023, and all entries can be made online www.festival.scot/exhibitors/schedules/ and tickets purchased www.festival.scot/product/festival-ticket-2023/

For general information www.festival.scot.