This summer, a hugely popular sport is making its debut at the Moy Country Fair.
Visitors will have the opportunity to try the increasingly popular axe-throwing for the very first time during the two-day event taking place at Moy Estate on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th August 2023.
Matt Harrison from Skye-based A.C.E Target Sports, a fully instructional centre for clay target shooting, air gun shooting, archery and axe-throwing, is journeying to the Fair with his dedicated team to offer visitors the opportunity to try, or in some cases, revisit, axe-throwing. The team will also be offering archery during the weekend.
The axe-throwing is expected to be a real focal point during the event. Matt, who has worked on the ‘Have a Go at Clay Shooting’ stand for several years, is excited for people from all walks of life to have a go at the popular sport.
“I had a coach party at our site in Portree recently with 32 American tourists in the 70s, 80s and early 90s,” says Matt. “They were trying the axe-throwing and were an absolute riot. It’s a very universal thing and we’re hoping for lots of interest from people of all ages at the Moy Country Fair.”
Participants will be supported and guided by experienced instructors with bespoke targets depending on the person and their physical ability. The axe itself is 18 inches long, just a little longer than a ruler, and people will be shown how to throw with one hand, and with precision.
“At Moy we will have playing cards on the targets,” explains Matt. “From three and a half metres away, you can throw the axe and slash the playing card. If, over the course of the weekend, 500 people come and have a go, we would hope that 95% of those people stick one axe target. That’s the goal for us. It’s a very interactive and social thing so we hope there’s quite a buzz around our little area.”
As well as being the first-time axe-throwing has been at the fair, this will be largest event that Matt and his team have brought both the axe-throwing and archery to.
“This will be the biggest stage we’ve worked on. You don’t get events like this over on Skye. There’s only 11,000 people on the whole island and there could well be more people than that over the two days at Moy! It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Above all, Matt is just really looking forward to spending the weekend at Moy and introducing his team to the popular event.
“In seven years I have volunteered at Moy, I’ve met friends for life. Everyone works really hard and as a team. They just get on with the job and make an awful lot of people very happy. It’s a real privilege to be part of it all.”
Organisers are looking forward to hosting these new events at this year’s fair. “It’s wonderful to see such a range of new sports and activities added to the roster,” says James Campbell, Chairman of the Moy Country Fair Committee. “Many of us are excited to go along to try our hand at the archery and axe throwing with some expert help from the team at A.C.E Target Sports.”
At this year’s event, visitors can enjoy the traditional Main Ring activities and displays including the pipe band, gundog and fishing demonstrations and the popular pet parade and terrier racing to name a few. A variety of field sports will also be returning including clay pigeon and musket shooting as well as the archery and axe-throwing.
Proving this is an event for all ages, younger field sports enthusiasts can participate in the Junior MacNab challenge. Hosted by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the popular event invites children to participate in a clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting and fly-fishing challenge.
For the first time, Strathallan School will be sponsoring the junior clay shooting competition prizes as well as a new category – Parent/Grandparent and Child.
David Gillies, Moy Country Fair shooting organiser commented: “We are delighted that Strathallan School have come on board at the Fair with these new shooting prizes to encourage more juniors to come and have a go. Parents and grandparents can also get competitive with the new category proving that clay shooting really is a sport for all to participate in.”
There will be a range of exhibitors including the RNLI running water safety demonstrations, Scottish Gamekeepers Association, West Sutherland Fisheries as well as lots of crafts, homeware and clothing stands for visitors to peruse. Also, many local food producers will be showcasing their produce in the Food Hall and Food Theatre.
To book tickets, please click here
Commenti