The north-east’s agricultural heritage met the future at the weekend in Moray.
Thousands of people packed the show field in Keith yesterday for the first day of the 147th running of the country show.
A spectacular display of vintage machinery and show jumping horses were combined with adrenaline-fuelled acrobatic stunts from motorbikes and quadbikes.
Tractors spanning nearly 100 years were paraded through the main ring alongside classic cars dating back to the 1920s.
However, a futuristic Tesla 4×4, which is powered entirely by electronics, was also shown in the arena alongside a classic Austin 7 Chummy to demonstrate the leaps that have been taken in technology.
The show jumping arena attracted some of the biggest crowds of the afternoon as competitors competed over a series of arduous jumps.
Locals also played their part in the day’s entertainment with a strong field competing across the feared Balloch Hill race course down the slope next to the show field.
The soundtrack for the crowd was provided by Strathisla, Buckie, Portsoy and Inverurie pipe bands who marched in unison.
Angela McWilliam, vice-chairwoman of the show, said that the turnout across the two days helped ensure improvements could continue to be made to the event.
She said: “It’s amazing to see the amount of people who turn out to support us every year. It’s been another brilliant attendance for the first day.
“We try to make sure we’ve got something new every year for everyone. The main ring was absolutely full for the motorbike show, which was tremendous to see.
“There have been really strong entries in the show jumping and all the other competitions we have run so there has been plenty for people to enjoy.”
Keith Country Show continues today with the judging of cattle, sheep and native horses. There will also be further performances from pipe bands as well as another chance to see the motorbike and quadbike stunt show before the grand parade of livestock entries and the crowning of the champion of champions.
