Next month will see the return of the Stranraer Oyster Festival as organisers promise to deliver a three-day event that is “bigger and better” than ever before.
Taking place across the weekend of Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15, this year’s festival will explore the themes of regeneration and connection as the community celebrates the last wild, native oyster fishery in Scotland.
The 2024 programme includes the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championship, in which the country’s top chefs will compete for the chance to win their place at the World Championships in Ireland, as well as demos from celebrity cooks including Tony Singh, Jimmy Lee and Julie Lin.
Also joining the lineup will be Pam Brunton whose multiple award-winning restaurant Inver is the only restaurant in Scotland to receive a Michelin Green Star for combining “culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments”.
Leaning strongly into Stranraer’s connection with the water of Loch Ryan, the opening ceremony will see a light procession taking place on the water into the harbourside festival site, culminating in a fireworks display.
‘Extreme Pond Dipping’ will give people of all ages the opportunity to see, and handle, the creatures that live at the bottom of the loch, while throughout the weekend a series of water sports taster sessions will be hosted.
Romano Petrucci, chair of Stranraer Development Trust, the community organisation behind the oyster festival, said: “We are so excited about the programme for Stranraer Oyster Festival this year.
“It’s immensely rich in talent, passion and inspiration, and strongly rooted in local place and local produce.
“Our vision each year has always been to make our next festival ‘bigger and better’. Our focus now is to concentrate on ‘better’ knowing that by doing so ‘bigger’ will follow.
“Stranraer has come a long way in the last few years and the oyster festival is an important part of our town’s transformation.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has supported this event - from each and every one of our wonderful volunteers to our amazing funders and sponsors.
“It shows what Stranraer can achieve when we work together, and I look forward to sharing the very best of Stranraer with visitors to our town this September.”
The Stranraer Oyster Festival was launched in 2017 as a community-led regeneration project to “change the story of Stranraer” from one of economic decline to “destination opportunity”.
With six successful festivals delivered so far, the event has had a cumulative economic impact of more than £7m for the scenic former ferry port in southwest Scotland.
Read more:
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Stranraer Oyster Festival generated 'over £2m' for local economy this year
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Why the oyster catchers and a bustling festival have become a lifeline for Stranraer
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The highs and lows of running Scotland's smallest fish and chip shop
Last year, it was reported that over 21,000 people made their way to the scenic harbour town to attend the festival.
As a result, more than half (61%) of traders said that the town’s hosting of the festival encouraged them to think about ‘new ways to develop or promote their business, product or service’.
“Mark Kummerer of MKA Economics said: “It is clear from the economic impact assessment and visitor and trader feedback that Stranraer Oyster Festival took a leap forward in 2023 in both economic impact measures and in visitor enjoyment.
“Stranraer Oyster Festival is now a major focal point in south west Scotland’s events calendar that in-bound visitors plan trips around, demonstrating strong and growing appeal for visitors.”
Stranraer Oyster Festival takes place from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September.
For more information or to book tickets now, visit www.stranraeroysterfestival.com
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