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Unfortunately we are not able to run the Festival in July because of the uncertainties surrounding the lockdown restrictions. We were really hoping we would manage it but sadly not. 
Instead we have a new date of Saturday 22nd August from 10 till 4 to gather.  Tickets will  go on sale on 10th August only if the lockdown guidelines allow. If it is still not possible to run the day by then it will be completely cancelled this year and we will be back in 2021.
We are hoping all the planned attractions will still be happening like having scythes for sale, presentations about scythes and growing grain, food and drink sales and a scything competition. There are also plans afoot to harvest and process a green manure crop.
It is unlikely that camping will be available but if we can offer some spaces we will.
All of the above will be subject to the government guidelines at the time so lets wait and see. In the meantime we are still putting the programme together so please get in touch if you would like to offer a talk or activity. Thanks for your patience and remember - Scythe Safe and Stay Sharp!

What’s on offer?
- A practice meadow to hone your skills
- Fun taster sessions for novices
- A scything competition
- A children's area with lots of straw
- Scythes and related kit for sale
- A Burger van with gluten free and vegan options
- Drinks, cakes and salads
- Presentations and talks
- children accompanied by a parent or guardian get in for free

What to bring?
The Festival takes place on a working farm so you are advised to wear outdoor clothing and footwear. Please bring your own scythe but most importantly (whether you are a novice, an old hand or voyeur) bring with you a desire to celebrate the scythe. A cup, a plate and seat will also be helpful and an umbrella!

How to book?
To buy tickets and join the club click on the link at the top of this page. For more information about the Scottish Scything Club, buying tickets, the day's activities or to offer some of your time to help out then please email Rob Brodie robmaculture@yahoo.co.uk.

How to get here?
There is an hourly bus no.34 from Perth. The nearest train station is Dunkeld (6 miles away) but no connecting bus service. Car parking will be sign posted and is on the farm or in the nearby bowling club and primary school.

This event is very child friendly and fairly dog friendly although there are hens, ducks and sheep on the farm so a certain amount of dog control will be required.





Round up of 2019 Festival

The last weekend of July 2019 saw the first ever Scottish Scything Festival take place at Blackhaugh Community Farm in Perthshire.
Guests started to arrive on Friday afternoon and got stuck into some last minute sign painting and marking out of areas, there was a fire that evening with lots of scything chat and beer and cider sampling.
On Saturday braving an ominous forecast and in some cases driving through torrential downpours to get there, 120 people, including 20 or so children gathered for a day of talks, demonstrations, taster sessions, scythe sales and of course a scything competition. The day itself was dry and by the afternoon the weather was glorious, with hot sun shining on bucolic scenes of children playing and folk chatting leaning on scythes. Talks on ‘Scything in Transylvania’, ‘Scandanavian scything’, ‘Peening’ and 'Making hay in Europe' were all well attended and led to much interesting debate, while beginners and experienced scythers alike took the chance to try out new blades, improve their skills and find out how to bring old scythes back into action with the help of various volunteer experts and enthusiasts. Among the scythes present were Swiss, Norwegian, Scottish, Austrian, Italian, and Bulgarian models. The small shop selling scythes and accessories almost sold out and the wild game/vegan burger van had a sell out day too.
The afternoon’s competition had 29 entrants and through lodged and tough sward we were treated to some fine displays of speed and technique with the overall winner John Pears being presented the Scottish Scything Champions wooden quaich (see below for scores). The traditional scythe versus strimmer competition formed the climax of the afternoon when it was proved once more that the scythe is faster and does a better job than the strimmer.
Another bigger and livlier fire formed the centre of things on Saturday evening with Gaelic and English songs, some scrumptious foraged food and more sampling of soft and alcoholic drinks. Such a lovely weekend filled with a real buzz of enthusiasm and excitement for all things scythe related – everyone is now looking forward to next years event which is planned for the same place and same time.
                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                              Competition Results
Mowing a 5m X 5m square. Using the Gairloch Gathering scoring method – time in seconds plus quality score (best 1, worst 20, multiplied by ten) equals final score. The lowest points win.
1st John Pears – 4.13(253secs) 8 x 10 (80) total points – 333
2nd Jim Mcvittie – 4.43(283secs) 6 x 10 (60) total points – 343
3rd Rudenko Velinov – 5.48(348secs) 3 x 10 (30) total points – 378
4th Richard Wilson – 4.05(245secs) 17 x 10 (170) total points - 415