Moy Country Fair

This event was only four miles from the campsite so not far on the bike to negotiate the strong wind gusts. The show had much to entertain and buy. See below a tiny selection of things that appealed to me.

The exhibition of bike skills (particularly brave in the windy conditions) by Daniel Stewart and George Stafford was spectacular and obviously appreciated by the crowd. Clay target shooting also had some highly skilled participants.

Garden furniture by Charles Taylor Trading Ltd looked and felt good and had appealing show-purchase discounts. "Bespoke wooden furniture sourced and made in the highlands" by Barry McLennan was desirable and info can be seen at WWW.AILMWOODCRAFT.CO.UK. Also made in the Highlands, by Lexi Evans at Belladrum, is attractive Purple-Bug Pottery. Good-looking hand-woven clothes by Guga Handlooms came from much further away in Portree. It is not cheap but is claimed to be "ridiculously long-lasting". Cathie Simpson of Tomatin found effective uses of Harris tweed for covering cushions and lampshades.

Food that will be sought again was from Thai at Beauly and also from SCOZZESE, who sell wood-fired pizza at events. Food could be eaten in a large tent to the accompaniment of well-chosen live music. A tasting of 12 year old Tomatin malt prompted me to book a tour of the distillery tomorrow.

As I was being shown shoe-inserts to help cope with a knee problem when running, a gust blew down the smallish tent housing us and I just escaped injury and irony by running out. Shortly afterwards the show was ended hours early and its second and last day tomorrow was in the balance because of the forecast of high speed gusts.