Drum and pipe band bring modern twist as country fair returns
Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway is hosting the 13th year of Galloway Country Fair.
Running next weekend, from August 9 to August 10, there will also be a stunt show and live music.
Sarah Richardson, marketing manager, said: 'There is so much on within one weekend.
'We get 12,000 people coming over the weekend. It is very family friendly, great for couples, or for friends which creates such a diverse audience.'
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There will be a live music performance on the Saturday night by Drums N' Roses, a Scottish drum and pipe band, who return for another year after first performing at the fair last year.
Formed around 20 years ago, they travel around playing at different occasions such as weddings, parties and community events as they challenge the perception that piping is stuck in the past.
Danny Hutcheson, who has been a piper with the band since 2018, said: 'We are a bagpipe and drum band that play modern music from Mamma Mia by Abba to Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon.'
Hutcheson has been a part of the band ever since he stood in for someone once who was unable to make an event.
On performing at the fair, he said: 'I've been excited ever since we got the shout to return.
'We're going down early to soak it all in and chill before our performance. I am buzzing for it, and the people who have not been before are excited to see it.
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'People can expect a high-energy 45-minute performance from us, nonstop from start to end.
'We want to have a celebration where people can party, drink, have a fun time and enjoy themselves.'
Preparation for the fair started as far back as January as a part of a big team effort to get everything organised ahead of the weekend.
There will be a falconry display with Mark French, a ferret show by Simon Whitehead, and a stunt show by the Stannage Stunt Team.
A demo kitchen set up by Nick Morris from Station House Cookery School returns for another year where he will be serving up many tasters throughout the weekend.
Also returning for 2025 is Betty's Bake Off, where people are welcome to compete in a friendly competition with prizes arranged for some lucky entrants.
Sunday will see children's favourite Road Runner take to the Galloway Country Fair stage.
There is also an entertainment zone for children which features mini quads, bouncy castles, an assault course, laser quest, bumper cars, a bungee trampoline and a giant inflatable fun course.
For the adults, there is axe throwing and an adult assault course.
Dogs are also more than welcome, with water stations and paddling pools in the grounds to help cool canine friends.
Cash For Kids, which supports children in need across the region, is the charity partner and some money from Saturday's bingo show, the programme, bake off and dog shows goes towards supporting it, as well as a stall set up on site.
While the event attracts locals, Local people come back each year but also people from as far as Cumbria and Fife make the journey to the fair.
It all gets started at 10am on the Saturday until 6pm and then again on the Sunday from 10am until 5pm.
Tickets are available on www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk now with people also able to buy entry on the day. Various onsite accommodation is available for visitors.
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