A RUSSIAN woman who travelled from Moscow to the north-east for a crash course in Highland dancing was back in Scotland yesterday for her first fling at the Turriff Show.
Maria Zotko spent January at the Lawrence Dance Academy at Peterhead, where she learned from one of the country’s top instructors before completing teaching exams.
With her new-found qualification, the 24-year-old returned to Russia where she passed on her knowledge to other budding dancers at a school she runs in Moscow.
She is now back in Scotland with four of her students to take part in competitions across the north and north-east.
The troupe – Ekaterina Melnikova, 28, Tatiana Lyubushkina, 23, Sergey Alferov, 27, and Ruslan Kuznetsov, 17 – took to the stage at the Haughs showground yesterday.
Miss Zotko said her training from Rhona Lawrence had opened the doors for the group to compete internationally.
“My students have always been willing to compete, but without the teaching qualification there was no way of doing that, which led me to Rhona,” she said.
“I could not find a suitable teacher in Europe so I contacted Rhona who said she could help and I came over last winter.
“It’s a great honour to be back and competing among some great dancers.”
The group will round off their trip at the Keith Show this weekend having also competed at events at Dufftown and Inverness.
Miss Lawrence, 51, who runs the dance school and the dancing contests at Turriff, commended her Russian student for her commitment.
She said: “When I got Maria’s initial e-mail I didn’t think much of it but then she wrote back asking when she could start.
“The lengths she has gone to to achieve what she has done are just fantastic.”
Also among the dancing contingent at yesterday’s event was a group from a school in Texas.
The 15 youngsters are pupils at St Thomas’ Episcopal School, Houston, where Highland dancing is part of the curriculum.
Teacher Diane Krugh, 53, said: “Highland dance is an option from kindergarten through to 12th grade and is a popular choice for students.
“This is our first time in Turriff and everybody is having a wonderful time.”
A dazzling display on horseback closed proceedings yesterday as the Devil’s Horsemen performed their Wild West Show.
Earlier in the day a bumper entry was recorded in the livestock classes.
Turriff Show, now celebrating its 146th year, is Scotland’s biggest two-day agricultural event showcasing the best in farming and food.
All Turriff unless stated
Sewing
Baby’s sleeping bag, skirt, oven mitt - Catherine Piner. Blouse, place mat - Katie Thomson.
Tea apron - Margaret Rennie.
Napkin - Helen Donald.
Bib, best use of one metre material, any other sewn article - Muriel Farquharson, Banff.
Shopping bag - Barbara Reid, Udny Station.
Stitched picture - Linda Allan.
Wall hanging - S Wilson, Banff.
Miscellaneous
Coasters, New Pitsligo lace handkerchief, New Pitsligo lace article (non-handkerchief), bobbin lace article - Sheila Joss, New Pitsligo.
Lace bookmark, patchwork, decorated fascinator, Christmas decoration - Margaret Rennie.
Non-lace bookmark, photo frame , bead work - Alice Sinclair, Oldmeldrum. Fridge magnet - Catherine Scott, Cuminestown.
Article in decoupage, folding card, article in ‘tea bag’ folding - Heather Morrison.
Decorated tea cup - Carol Morrison.
Painted stone, water colour painting, black and white line drawing - Elspeth Delgarno.
Cross stitch article, soft toy - Linda Allan.
Driftwood mirror - Dulcie Watson, New Byth.
Napkin ring, something new from something old, jewellery - Winnie Anderson.
Bag - Irene McDonald, Peterhead.
Glasses case, calligraphy, scrapbooking - S Wilson, Banff.
Pressed flowers - Barbara Reid, Udny
Station. Glass painting - Muriel Farquharson, Banff.
Celebration card, novelty gift - Margaret Robertson, Aberchirder.
Flower corsage - P Reid, Huntly.
Cross stitch card - J Alexander.
Gift tags - Caroline Donald. Holiday photo - Naomi Hunter.
Celebration photo - Gill Gaul, Kirkcaldy.
Townscape photo, close-up photo - Keith Winton, Midlothian.
Oil picture - Elsie Matthew.
Any other picture (non-photo) - Katie Thomson.
Flowers
Fuchsia, germanium, petunia, begonia, fern, hanging plant, hanging basket, spike phloxes, chrysanthemums, hardy annuals, African marigolds, violas, pods peas, round potatoes, kidney potatoes, rhubarb, marrow, cucumbers, parsley, potato collection, box of vegetables - D Simpson.
Double fuchsia, rooted begonia, decorative pelargonium, hanging fuchsia - K Robertson.
Pot of lilium, coleus, blooms asters, dahlias, carnations, mixed hardy annuals, half hardy annuals, French marigolds, begonias - Rosie Watt.
Cactus or succulent, stem pinks, mixed hardy annuals, Scotch marigolds - W Copland, Banff.
One plant (not specified) - T Boyd, Banff.
Hanging begonia, outdoor container, cut flowers, stems sweet Williams, dahlias - Colin Chinchen, Macduff.
Annual flowers, stems antirrhinums, floribunda roses - T Scott, Aberdeen.
Spike herbaceous plants - George Cumming, Westhill. Blooms, roses - Leslie Reid, Huntly.
Gladioli - T McRobbie.
Perennials from open border - A McHardy, Inverurie.
Pansies - Jean Grieve.
Fruit and vegetables
Strawberries, red currants, fruit grown in the open - Wattie Gill, Ellon.
Raspberries, loganberries, any other fruit, yellow tomatoes, onion sets - A Reid, Macduff.
Gooseberries, white currants, black currents - J Wallace.
Apples - Jean Grieve.
Red tomatoes, sweet peas (various) - A G Norrie.
Cabbages - J A Norrie.
Onions, red shallots, long carrots, cauliflowers - Graeme Clark.
White shallots, Arran shallots, short carrots, broad beans, celery, parsnips, leeks, turnips, beetroot, box of vegetables, - George Cumming, Westhill.
Lettuce - Colin Clinchen, Macduff.
Sweet Peas winners - T Scott, Aberdeen. K Ross, Aboyne.
Show report, Page 18