A Grand Day Out at the 187th Arran Show – Glenkiln Comes to Life
The 187th Arran Show rolled into Glenkiln, Lamlash today, and as always, it delivered a full day of community, colour, and countryside charm – all under the proud banner of the Arran Farmers Society. This show has long been a staple of the island summer calendar, and spending the day photographing it was like walking into a celebration of everything rural life on Arran has to offer.
From the moment I arrived, the field was already alive with activity – the low thrum of vintage tractor engines, the clip-clop of horses being led into the ring, and the buzz of last-minute grooming in the cattle pens. There’s a rhythm to show days, a mixture of tradition and anticipation, and it’s always a joy to try and capture that in pictures.
One of the big highlights this year was The Clan stunt bike team. Set against the backdrop of green hills and island skies, they pulled off a high-flying, crowd-pleasing performance – jumps, spins, mid-air trickery – the lot. Their energy brought a fresh jolt of adrenaline to the showground and had everyone, young and old, craning necks and applauding every landing.
Just along the field, the ever-popular dog scurry was in full swing. There's something timeless about it – dogs of all sizes racing through the grass, eyes fixed, tails wagging, ears flapping, chasing down the scent trail with single-minded joy. You’d struggle to find a more enthusiastic bunch of competitors.
Of course, the heart of the Arran Show will always be the livestock – proud farmers presenting their finest cattle and sheep. There’s such pride in the preparation, in every brushed coat and polished halter. I particularly enjoyed photographing the quiet moments between handlers and their animals – a steadying hand, a last-minute tweak of a lead rope, or simply a calm word before stepping into the ring. These moments, small as they seem, say so much about the connection between people and animals.
Elsewhere, the Arran Brass Band brought a warm, familiar sound to the day – their music drifting across the showground and anchoring it all in a sense of tradition. The pipe band added that unmistakable Scottish atmosphere, kilts swinging in time with the beat, drums cracking through the air. I love photographing these moments – a swirl of movement, sound, and ceremony.
There were plenty of tractors on show too, lined up in proud rows like agricultural time capsules. From gleaming restorations to rugged old workhorses, they tell their own story of island farming through the decades.
It was a day packed with moments – big and small – and a real credit to all those who work behind the scenes to keep this show thriving. As always, I left with memory cards full and a head buzzing with everything I’d seen. It’s not just the events or the animals that make the Arran Show so special – it’s the people, the effort, the heritage, and the unmistakable sense of island community.
Same time next year? Count me in.
