Photo of
September 12, 2019

Running from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September, the festival is billed as 'a three day celebration of the area’s unique coastal heritage, its culture, its people and its fabulous wealth of local produce'.

Last year, Stranraer Oyster Festival attracted 14,000 people and generated around £1m for the economy of south west Scotland.

Stranraer is on the shoreline at the head of Loch Ryan. The loch is home to one of the last wild, native oyster beds in Scotland. You can read much more about them here. Main pic is from festival Facebook.

It is fished sustainably by Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Co. Ltd.  The area’s unique seafood heritage, the local cuisine and  the stunning scenery inspired the first oyster festival in Stranraer in September 2017.

Held to mark the start of the Scottish oyster season, the festival promises street food, fireworks, chef demos, a twilight market, competitions and, of course, lots and lots of oysters.

The full programme can be downloaded here but the following caught our eye:

Friday evening

The festival opens with a bang as the oysters are piped ashore in an opening ceremony that includes an Ode to the Oysters plus live music, street food and fireworks. 

There is also a ticketed event - An Audience with Tony Singh - where guests can chat to celeb chef Tony Singh over canapés and Prosecco.

Saturday

Chef Singh will be rattling the pans throughout the weekend in the Kitchen Demo Marquee. Another Saturday highlight will be the Scottish Shucking Championships.

Attracting chefs from all over Scotland, the Championships will determine the fastest oyster-shucker in the country.

There is also an artisan market to explore; an oyster bar to try and those with tickets can dance the night away at The Big Oyster Bash.

Sunday 

If you have a strong stomach, you might want to take part in the Oyster Eating Competition and compete to be crowned as the Festival Oyster Eating Champion 2019.

Alternatively, oyster expert, Tristan Hughes Jones, will be leading a fascinating event - All about Oysters-  to gently introduce his audience to this fascinating seafood subject. 

Throughout the weekend, there will be live music and kids' activities. If you have yet to be converted to oysters, there are plenty of other dining options including a range of pies from the current winner of the World Champion Scotch Pie award and award-winning gin from local Crafty Distillery.

Stranraer Oyster Festival runs from Friday 13th-Sunday 15th September 2019.

Weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) cost £5, daily tickets are £3 and under 12s go free. Additional charges apply for selected events.