Andrew Arbuckle: Making the most of the 'quiet' time in the winter wonderland

Now, with only a few exceptions like late sowings of wheat and lifting of straw, it is a case of battening down the hatches for the winter months. But before going in semi-hibernation, those in the farming industry have the opportunity to go along to not one but two major agricultural events.

To make both AgriScot, which will be at the Royal Highland showground this coming Wednesday (17 November) and the Royal Highland Winter Fair which will be held at the same location one week later on the 24th more attractive to visitors, both events provide free entry.

Now we all know there is no such thing as a free lunch but is it possible there is no such thing as free entry to a top-level dairy competition, business skills competition, top primestock competitions, top-level seminars, access to hundreds of trade stands demonstrating their latest wares, competitions for the best silage made in the country - and even to view the largest neep north of the Tweed?

Well I am reading my invites to both events and if I use my background knowledge, it seems as if it is true that entrance is free and the visitor to both events cannot even complain that the car parking has to be paid for as it is also without cost on both days.

There is no requirement on the visitor to purchase anything so his/her wallet/handbag can remain firmly closed throughout the day even if you happen to bump into a long-lost friend in the vicinity of the bar.

But it has to be admitted the stall holders would like to go home with bulging order books and the auctioneers at the beef and sheep competitions would like to see strong bidding for the top primestock in the country.

A few years ago, there was a suggestion - mainly from the agricultural press - that the two events should be amalgamated but that call is seldom heard nowadays as it is recognised the two events focus on differing aspects of Scottish farming life and both provide a good "farming" day out. It is important to highlight the "farming" part as both AgriScot and the Winter Fair are very much industry events.As such, they are unlike the Highland show which nowadays very successfully bridges the gap between the farmers and the general public

The only surprise to me is that both AgriScot and Winter Fair organising committees put in an incredible amount of voluntary work ensuring their events provide an attractive programme of events.

This year there is a bit of innovation to the core programme of both events with AgriScot putting on a competition for the next generation of farmers providing a 1,000 cheque for the winner who will be announced on the day.

The Winter Fair is highlighting a "celebrity chef" competition which chimes with the current enthusiasm for cooking. Knowing both "celebrities", I must at some point check the dictionary definition as it seems rather a loose description of the chosen culinary worthies.

Events such as these add to the already busy existing programmes which this year sees AgriScot continue to put on one of the top dairy competitions in the UK. It also hosts a number of seminars for those needing updated on issues.

The Winter Fair has a longer pedigree than AgriScot whose roots are in the former Scottish Dairy Show. Any inspection of the silverware belonging to the Scottish National Fatstock Club who run the Winter Fair will confirm they have been in operation for a long time

Even although the long-held attraction of taking the Winter Fair top award and then going on to take a top award at Smithfield has gone, there is still a lot of prestige in bringing out a Winter Fair champion.

It is quite a thought that, by visiting both events, you will see some of the top dairy cows, prime cattle and sheep in Great Britain.

And that is why there are now a large number of visitors from other parts of the UK using the easy proximity of Edinburgh airport.

They cannot just be coming because of the free entry.