For only the second time in its history, the Scottish Ploughing Championships, which take place on 27th and 28th October, will be hosted in Ayrshire.
Monktonhill Farm, Prestwick, Ayrshire will see ploughing commence at 9.30am on the Friday and on Saturday ploughing will witness a parade to the plots prior to the commencement of the ploughing. In addition, there will be an array of stands and activities to keep visitors entertained all day, as well as an educational area, run by RHET, for children.
For 2023, one of the best ploughers in the world, Andrew Mitchell Snr, is coming out of retirement and competing at Monktonhill Farm and so competitors are gearing up for a tight contest. Mr Mitchell has rarely been beaten on home soil and a number of competitors are keen to give him a run for his money.
Winners of certain classes also get the opportunity to compete at the World Ploughing Championships in Estonia in 2024 and so there is much to plough for!
Hugh Currie, Director of the Scottish Ploughing Championships Management Committee, said:
“We are very grateful to the owners of Monktonhill Farm for allowing us the space to host this year. Ayrshire is traditionally a livestock area and so it’s superb to find such a top-quality arable farm keen to work with us.
“This year we have 17 different classes which include small tractors, vintage ploughs, horses and the chance for young people to get involved and compete.
“We also have competitors from all four nations this year, for the first time in a while, so it’s great to have some nationwide competition! Ploughing is highly competitive and it isn’t easy. The best way to explain good ploughing to a non plougher would be that you’re aiming for the ground to look like corduroy - dead straight, all the same, nice and even and dead level. Each competitor hones his or her equipment like a Formula 1 racing car and it really is a case of marginal gains – combined with a bit of luck.
“Over and above the competition, The Scottish Ploughing Championships are a great day out for farming and non-farming folk alike. We have vintage machinery, three pairs of horses coming along to do a demonstration, trade stands, food stalls, craft stalls and lots to see and do. It’s a great fun day with the chance to meet old and new friends and socialise. There is also a farm shop on site for those wishing to stock up on local produce.
“The championships have also paired up with RHET, The Royal Highland Education Trust, with four schools visiting on the Friday and a classroom on wheels open on the Saturday for children and families to pop in and learn more about food, farming, and ploughing of course. It’s really important to all of the committee that we make the link between what we do and the production of food and give members of the public the chance to learn and have fun when they visit the championships.
“I’d highly recommend coming along on 27th or 28th to see what ploughing championships are all about – you’ll have fun!”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Adults £10Over 65s £5Under 16s FREE Pay on arrival (cash and card payment available) Venue: Monktonhill Farm, Prestwick, Ayrshire, KA9 1UL
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Anna Davies: Email: anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
Ross (Monty) Montague: Email: monty@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
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