The annual showcase of the best of Scottish farming, food and rural life!
Handcrafts Schedule can be downloaded here
Another fantastic Wild Fox event, and opportunity for a fun Ruskie Rural day out, fund raising, stewarding and cheering on the athletes!
The Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon (The Quad) is an exhilarating test of stamina, strength and fitness through some of the most spectacular and historic areas of the Scottish Highlands.
The Glencoe Marathon Gathering is a choice of two routes set in the stunning North West of Scotland so whether you want to explore the foothills of Ben Nevis or journey through an ancient route to the heart of Glencoe there is something for you. Whichever route you pick you’ll be rewarded at every turn with some of the most stunning and dramatic views in the Scottish Highlands. This dramatic event is not your average marathon or half marathon, so escape to the wilds and test yourself to the limit.
Ruskie Rural provide stewards for this event to support the runners and raise funds for the maintenance of our wee hall!
The Vaughan Nash is a national handcraft competition. It celebrates creativity, skill, and presentation in both traditional and modern crafts. Each entry must include five handmade items, displayed together as one exhibit. The items should demonstrate a variety of craft techniques and be arranged to look good as one exhibit and be themed on ‘Festivals’.
Applications need to be in place (online) by the 26th June, Here are the details from the SWI website :
● Open to all SWI members across Scotland.
● Entries must be from a team of at least two members (no individual entries).
● Teams can include members from the same or different Institutes/Federations.
● Each team's entry must include exactly five items
The Theme for 2026 is Festivals
1. A Knitting or crochet technique
2. A sewing technique (patchwork, applique etc. )
3. Any craft technique
4. Any craft technique
5. Any craft technique
Come and join us to celebrate with drinks, canapes and a fabulous mean (menu available soon, pre-order)
Our annual business meeting - details to follow
Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady is one of the most beloved musicals ever written, and this brand-new chamber production offers a glorious take on the classic.
Directed by Maria Friedman, acclaimed musical theatre performer and director and the creative force behind the Tony Award-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along, the story comes into sharper focus—intimate, engaging, and full of heart.
At the centre is Eliza Doolittle, the sharp-tongued flower seller who collides with Professor Henry Higgins, played by Alan Cumming. One of Scotland’s most celebrated performers, Cumming brings his trademark wit and charisma, reimagining Higgins for a new audience. What begins as a battle of wills between teacher and pupil soon blossoms into something far more complex: a story of transformation, class, and the search for belonging.
With favourites like Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night and On the Street Where You Live, the songs are given fresh life in this chamber version, where every note and every word shines.
Glorious in its simplicity, My Fair Lady feels both familiar and new—a sparkling, heartfelt celebration of a timeless classic.
Names to Liz Black - transport will be organised.
An opportunity to get together with Fife, Perth and Kinross and our own SC&WP for lunch.
Glass & Mosaic craft demonstration with Mary Mitchell
Competitions: Home made coaster (any craft); 3 suggestions for the syllabus
Hostesses: Anne Artis, Heather Millar, Mary Muirhead
Tellers: Members of the Craft Team
To be held at Kippen Village Hall, 630pm for a 7pm start. Teams of 4 members
Our Regular Federation Spring Meeting - on a new date and location!
There will be 2 competitions at this meeting to select the Federation entry to go forward to the National Gathering (Conference) at Dundee in September.
Baking - Anne Wallace Sugar Sifter - Dundee cake - max 6in round presented on a white paper plate
Preserves - Mary Aitken Trophy - jar of marmalade - no specified flavour, recipe or jar size.
The Vaughn Nash is the only craft related competition at the Gathering - entries need to be in place (online) by the 26th June, Here are the details from the SWI website :
Open to all SWI members across Scotland.
Entries must be from a team of at least two members (no individual entries).
Teams can include members from the same or different Institutes/Federations.
Each team's entry must include exactly five items
The Theme for 2026 is Festivals
1. A Knitting or crochet technique
2. A sewing technique (patchwork, applique etc. )
3. Any craft technique
4. Any craft technique
5. Any craft technique
Understanding exercise & activity behaviour with Julie Harvey
Competitions: Flower arrangement in a kitchen utensil (Mrs Beaton Rose Bowl); Best health tip
Hostesses: Ann Brown, Christine Hamilton, Janice Milne
In the morning Jen Byrne from Edinburgh will talk about designing clothes from pre-loved fabrics using practical pattern layout ideas and reconfiguration of fabrics or garments to give them a new life; and the afternoon session will be a choice of upcycling workshops - Glass painting, textile landscape, felt jewelry, toys from odds and ends of wool, wall hanging from scraps of fabric.
The event is 10am until 4pm and tickets are £10
Tom Bowser shares his perspective on rewilding
Competitions: 3 different collected feathers; Home-made fat ball for birds
Hostesses: Allison McLeod, Alison Smellie, Pat Rawlinson
Open meeting to give your feedback on the way forward for the Federation. As usual, please do bring your hot drinks with you as there are still no catering facilities on site.
Getting to know the work of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance with Lorna Smith
Competitions: ACROSTIC Poem - HELICOPTER; Favourite First Aid kit
Hostesses: Carole Russell, Claire Watt, Mary Woods
Bring in the New Year with Music & Song from Iain, Marsha & friends!
Competitions: 3 pieces of home-made Shortbread (85th Birthday Cup); Favourite Burns memorabilia
Hostesses: Anne Artis, Christine Bauer, Liz Black, Liz Dykes, Heather Millar
Celebrate Christmas with Members & Friends
Gifts: Donation to Start Up Stirling (COLLECTED AT NOVEMBER MEETING); Secret Santa Gift
Venue: The Lion & Unicorn, Thornhill
10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm.
Dorset Buttons,
Frame Weaving
Textile landscapes
at both the morning and afternoon session.
£5 for each session. To book your place contact scandwp@btinternet.com by 30th September
Joined by Mary Inglis from Briarlands to demonstrate the secret to her baking
Competitions: 3 spiced biscuits (own choice – Mrs Parlane Trophy); Favourite Christmas Decoration
Hostesses: Sharon McRobert, Seona Michael, Janice Oman
Also please note for December Gifts: Donation to Start Up Stirling (COLLECTED AT NOVEMBER MEETING);
Our Annual Federation Business Meeting
2 course lunch with tea/coffee and invited speaker. Cost £25
Please contact your Secretary to book at place.
Our 99th Birthday Party & games night at Thornhill Hall
Competitions: Home-made party hat (Puskie Plate); Best set of dominos
Hostesses: Catriona Burnett, Libby MacGregor, Sheena Gibson
An evening with Ally Logan, Auctioneer
Competitions: Nature Photograph you have taken yourself; Favourite farm animal ornament
Hostesses: Liz Black, Linda Gibson, Helen Little
The Ruskie Competition Cup for most points in 2024-25 will also be awarded tonight
The theme for the Scottish Handicrafts at the Royal Highland Show this year is “LIFE IS A CELEBRATION“ - Full schedule included here and summary of sections below
A - Medley of Crafts - Theme : Milestones
B - Trios made by one person - Theme : Gifts/items depicting a traditional anniversary year (state year eg 1st/paper)
c - Novices/Juniors
D - Crochet - Theme: Party Time
E - Knitting - Theme: Tiny Tots
F - Handspinning, Weaving & Dying - Theme: Holiday
G - Lace & Tatting - Theme: Celebration of water
H - Embroiders - Theme: Wedding Day
I - Patchwork, applique & Quilting - Theme: First Home
J - Children
K - Crooks & walking sticks
A further event to celebrate our Federation Centenary! A Sail on Loch Lomond with commentary at 2pm - free tea/coffee - Cost: £25
Meal afterwards at The Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha - Cost £26 (tip £1) for a two course meal - to be pre-ordered - menu available from Liz Black
You do not need to do both - go for a sail.............or just go for the meal............its up to you
This is being hosted by Fife and is planned for the 8th June at the Stewart's Resort, St. Andrews. The facility is approx 4 miles on the outskirts of St. Andrews and is a purpose built venue with easy access and car parking. The full address is Stewart's Resort, Cameron, St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8PE. More details when the menu is available.
**STOP THE PRESS**
A change of speaker for our meeting and AGM. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from our very own Anne Artis to share her experiences in hillwalking and the ‘gear’ needed to be safe and successful. IFKYK – it will be an entertaining evening of stories and anecdotes told in Anne’s inimitable style and a rare occasion not to be missed! Looking forward to seeing you all there
Competitions: 3 Suggestions for the syllabus; Favourite Make Up Bag
Hostesses: Anne Artis, Ann Brown, Janice Milne
AGM Tellers: Gargunnock
Gillian Forster of Green Routes is coming to explain how they offer young people with support needs an opportunity to learn and grow, to develop skills for life, learning and work
Competitions: Spring Flowers In A Jug (Mrs Beaton Rose Bowl); Traditional Garden Item
Hostesses: Alison Smellie, Gillian Ross, Claire Watt
On these dates there will be a display of crafts by Rural members in Gargunnock Church - 10am - 4pm Refreshments will be available...... with home baking - donations very welcome!. Each Rural is given a board measuring 3ft X 4ft to display their crafts...............The rurals taking part in this display are Ruskie, Kippen, Buchlyvie, Drymen and Gargunnock.
Peter Ireland takes us on ‘A Cruise on the River Hooghly in West Bengal'
Competitions: Acrostic Poem (NAVIGATE); Favourite Jute or Hessian Item
Hostesses: Sheena Gibson, Libby MacGregor, Carole Russell
Alasdair Beaton shares stories of accompanying his grandfather all over the district in his butchers van
Competitions: 3 X Cocktail Sausage Rolls (Mrs Parlane Trophy); Favourite Apron
Hostesses: Lottie McKie, Mary Muirhead, Mary Woods
Celebrate the New Year with traditional fayre and entertainment from Robert Dykes & Archie Patterson
Competitions: 3 x Squares Plain Tablet; Favourite Tartan Item
Hostesses: Anne Artis, Christine Bauer, Liz Black, Liz Dykes, Heather Miller
Our annual festive evening full of Christmas cheer and a visit from Santa
Gifts: Secret Santa present; Donation to Start Up Stirling (collected in November)
Location: Fletchers or Lion & Unicorn
A speaker from Cancer Research helps us understand how money is raised and spent
Competitions: Hand knitted or crocheted neckwarmer (Puskie Plate), Best fundraising ideas to share
Hostesses: Seona Michael, Sharon McRobert, Janice Oman
Competition entries to be in place by 12pm
McLay Trophy - Autumn collage picture incorporating forages leaves, foliage etc, maximum size A4 (no bought flowers or foliage to be used)
Cath McBryne Trophy - Peg doll
West Lothian Trophy - 3 pieces of millionaires shortbread
Community Work - An Autumn Walk - minimum of 4 members to take part, no accessories allowed, each institute to supply cover for their display area
Crafts
1- Knitted neck warmer, any ply
2- Door wreath in foliage/berries/flowers collected on autumn walk, any size (no bought flowers/foliage allowed)
3- Own Choice
Cooking
1- Home made fruit gin (any fruit)
2- flask of sweet potato and coconut soup
3- Huffsie loaf (recipe supplied, ask for details)
Mark the occasion of our 98th birthday with Paul Bradford, celebrated master baker, as he teaches us new skills and decorates a seasonal cake (to be raffled on the night!)
Pumpkin Competitions: Heaviest (grown from seed); Best Carved Lantern; Tastiest Flask Of Soup (85th Birthday Cup)
Hostesses: Liz Black, Noreen Hinton, Helen Little
