Escape to Stranraer Oyster Festival this September

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Feeling the need for some rest and relaxation after a busy summer? Escape to the Stranraer Oyster Festival this September for a weekend of coastal cookery, oyster-challenges, foodie experiences and family fun.

Now in its third year, the festival will take place from 13 to 15 September. Celebrating the area’s unique coastal heritage, its culture and people, and the fabulous wealth of local produce, there are a wide range of events for visitors to enjoy.

The festival is centred around Scotland’s last remaining wild, native oyster fishery, which lies in Loch Ryan, just a stone’s throw from all the action.

Headlining the chef demonstration line-up is Scotland’s spice king Tony Singh, who will be serving up a tasty series of dishes incorporating oysters, as part of an inspirational food festival programme of cookery and cocktail making demos. More than a dozen of Scotland’s top seafood chefs will be taking part in the #ShuckOff competing to be named Scottish Oyster Shucking Champion, before representing Scotland at the World Championships in Galway, Ireland a fortnight later.

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The challenges don’t stop with the professional chefs – members of the public will be able to sign up to take part in the Scottish Oyster Eating Challenge, and those new to oysters can enjoy a more gentle introduction in an event led by Loch Ryan’s oyster expert Tristan Hugh-Jones.

Young people are invited to test themselves too, with a series of challenges including Stand Up Paddle Boarding out on Loch Ryan and the harbourside Extreme Pond Dipping to discover the many sea creatures found at the bottom of Loch Ryan – it’s not just oysters down there!

Romano Petrucci, Chair of Stranraer Development Trust, the community organisation that runs the festival, said: “This year we are going all-out to deliver an action packed festival that entertains, inspires, satisfies and challenges our visitors.  Loch Ryan’s unique native oysters are of course at the heart of our festival, but this three day event is about the people and the place too.  

“There is simply no finer way to enjoy our oysters, and our town’s hospitality, than this three day party, right next to Stranraer Harbour looking out at beautiful Loch Ryan as the sun sets across the water with Ailsa Craig on the horizon.”

For more information about the Stranraer Oyster Festival, please visit stranraeroysterfestival.com