Events and Shows in Scotland

Wood fairs and country shows are great places to pick up information on woodlands and to meet people who are interested in woods and woodcrafts. They can also provide excellent opportunities to find unusual tools, and see them demonstrated, and to learn new ways to manage and enjoy your woodland.

Scottish WOODfair

The Scottish WOODfair, held in May at the Dewar's Centre in Perth, is now recognised as a major annual event, with over 80 exhibitors. In 2006 it ran to three days for the first time. It's essentially a show about wood and its uses, and is a real eye-opener. It has three main themes. The first is wood for basic needs (shelter, fuel), including a wood fuel show case. The second is creativity: exhibits range from beautiful contemporary furniture and handcrafted musical instruments to greenwood workshops and live performances by chainsaw carvers. The third theme is fun: children can enjoy puppet shows, storytelling, kids' arts events, broomstick making, and much else. To coincide with the Scottish WOODfair, simultaneous woodland events take place in Perthshire.

Treefest and Wood Market

The Edinburgh Treefest and Wood Market is a splendid - and free - two-day celebration of trees, and everything to do with trees, held each year over a weekend in June at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh (opposite the Botanical Gardens). It includes numerous exhibitor stands, and a host of events, such as logging and chainsaw demonstrations, a competitive tree-climbing contest, and an axe throwing contest (the Scottish Open Championships, no less). Superlative woodcrafts are on show at the Wood Market, where visitors have the chance to try their hand at the techniques. There are also plenty of events for children.

Treefestscotland

The Treefest Partnership has a useful website (updated daily) that lists a calendar of tree- and forest-related events all over Scotland, such as guided walks in woodlands, public tree-planting sessions, hazel-coppicing workshops, woodcraft classes, wildlife watches, and seasonal events (such as special Christmas events).

Enchanted Forest

This 'light and sound extravaganza' is one of the most popular woodland events in Scotland. During two weeks in late October and early November, the Faskally Wood near Pitlochry, in Perthshire, is magically illuminated at night. After a 15-minute opening show, visitors can wander the woods and loch-side paths to marvel at the spectacular lighting effects and geyser-like fountains.

Forestry Commission Scotland: Events

The Forestry Commission lays on a number of events for the public throughout the year, both educational and recreational. They including practical woodland activities, working parties undertaking forestry tasks, workshops on techniques (such as using a bowsaw to remove small pine trees), and guided walks with rangers - all valid and rewarding ways to pick up woodland experience and tips. Some are pure fun, such as a November night ride ('The Howling'), with barbecue, in the Invergarry Forest. For details, look at the Forestry Commission website, select 'Scotland' and go to 'What's On'.

Scottish Outdoor Access Festival

This Scotland-wide festival, co-ordinated by Scottish Natural Heritage, will take place between 28 April to 7 May 2007. Consisting of a mass of local events, its aim is to 'celebrate enjoyment of the outdoors and encourage the public to enjoy the outdoors responsibly'. Activities, open days and demonstrations will be mounted by ranger services, access officers, clubs and volunteers.

Royal Highland Show

Scotland's biggest agricultural show is a vast and venerable affair, with a history that goes back to 1784. Held over four days in June, it attracts more than 160,000 visitors and takes place in a permanent 300-acre site right next to Edinburgh Airport. Its central focus is farming and livestock, but it is also attended by many Scottish woodland organisations, with exhibits of woodcrafts, wood products, tools and equipment, and forestry and woodcraft demonstrations throughout the day. That apart, the RH Show offers a fabulous day out, not to be missed if you have the opportunity: there are masses of stands exhibiting all manner of country pursuits, plenty of Scottish food and drink, crafts, machinery, rare breeds, and astounding displays of livestock and horsemanship in the show ring.

Scotland’s Countryside Festival

This celebration of rural traditions, skills and pastimes takes place over a weekend in early September at Glamis Castle, childhood home of the late Queen Mother. More than 16,000 visitors flock here to see a fine range of demonstrations (falconry, dog handling, marching bands, charioteers), and to enjoy Scottish food and drink and Celtic rock music. A craft tent has over 500 carefully selected exhibitors, including numerous wood artists. Look out also for the display mounted by the Glamis Sawmill and Estate Forest, showing trees and woodland machinery, and providing information on woodland management, hedge planting and fencing.