Category: Events

Situated just outside Kippen is Arnprior Farm, the location of Arnprior Pumpkins, which last year broke all records when they held their annual pick-your-own event.  On the day we arrived, it was dry but the field with the pumpkins was full of mud – mud like we’d never seen before!   Interestingly, the field was also full of happy children literally wallowing in said mud!  There was a great atmosphere, but you could tell that Duncan and Rebecca McEwen were surprised by the volume of visitors they had attracted.

We managed to grab them for a brief chat and they explained that this was their third year and the event just keeps growing and growing.  We spoke to several folks who had driven for miles to visit including one family who had come from Rothesay and another from Oban!

Of course, the success of the social media campaign had a down side.  The volume of traffic almost overwhelmed the village, but we are told that plans are already afoot for more traffic control and parking this year.

It’s great to be able to report on a story like this and we wish them continued success including their Arnprior Lambing which, we hear, is their next venture.

Alison Bradley

The annual Kippen Flower Show took place on 21 August this year.

A wonderful array of flowers, vegetables, baking and crafts filled the Village Hall. A mostly new team this year enjoyed planning and organising the show.

A few changes were made to the schedule; however, the main change was to move the day of the show to a Sunday.  It was suggested by some that little time was available to prepare their exhibits on a Friday evening.  This was particularly true for those who work throughout the week, consequently if the show was moved to the Sunday, Saturday would give them time to prepare and enable them to participate.  As the number of entries had been falling over the last few years, it was worth a try.  Entries did indeed increase this year, so the day change was clearly a success. Many thanks to those who helped.

The cafe was also very busy and looked charming with vintage tablecloths and jars of fresh flowers on the tables.  Delicious soups and baking were on offer. A big thank you to those who donated baking, there was a wonderful selection.

So…as the evenings draw in, order your seed catalogues and start planning your planting.  We very much look forward to seeing your entries in next year’s Show!

Joanne Lennon

For the second year, Kippen’s 300 – year old Blacksmith’s Smiddy has opened its doors this summer, with permission from the National Trust for Scotland.  Kippen Heritage manned the Smiddy in June on Street Fayre Day, welcoming in many visitors.  This was followed by Flower Show weekend in August when, for the first time, we had a Kippen Trail to show some aspects of Kippen’s Heritage.

Starting at the Reading Rooms, where Winnie Dunlop’s fascinating collection of Kippen photographs and related articles were on display, it continued to the Smiddy at Kippen Cross to see that little time – capsule of a bygone age.  Visitors could then pop in to see the beautiful Kippen Church and visit Kippen Flower Show in the Public Hall.  The Trail ended at the Boatyard in Fore Road, which was generously opened for the first time to the public by Jane Wilson, the owner.

The Kippen Trail was followed again in September, at “Doors Open” weekend when we had even greater numbers visiting the village to see our heritage.  Not only did our visitors remark on how fascinating and interesting these historical buildings and artefacts were, but local businesses said they also had benefitted from the greater numbers coming to Kippen.

Over the three weekends, the Smiddy had over 200 visitors enjoying the experience of going back in time.  Andra’ Rennie would have been delighted!  And the Boatyard, whose mere existence surprised many people – even locals – also had a steady stream of visitors over its two weekends, with many positive comments.

Margaret Oswald

This year Santa’s Grotto at Linton, Fintry Road, Kippen will be taking place on the weekend of 2^nd and 3^rd of December from 2-00PM-6.00PM.

There will be the usual 10 minutes spent with Santa for stories, a chat and a special present.

Cost per child is £5.00 and to book contact 01786 870231. Please ‘phone as soon as possible as places went very quickly last year.

There will also be soup, mulled wine, home baking, raffle and of course- Santa’s Elves.

The charities to benefit from this event are-Start-up Stirling and Downs Syndrome.

Shirley and John Lamb

And the date is – 14 October, 7.30 pm.   “Raucous Rossini” are bringing another one act opera to Kippen Church.   Further details from Kathleen McKellar Ferguson, who can be contacted on fergusonk@btinternet.com

The colours, textiles and furnishings of the East have always held a huge attraction and for many years I have loved entering the Aladdin’s cave which is the Nomad’s Tent premises in Edinburgh.  Full of colour and interest, it would gladden the heart of any rug lover or house furnisher who wants something a little different.  I have also found it to be a wonderful source of wedding and birthday presents as things range in value from a few pounds to a serious investment.

Five years ago, I heard that the Nomad’s Tent sometimes creates a similar visual feast out of Edinburgh and thought that our barn near Kippen might be suitable.  Fortunately, it proved to be so and so this October, we will hold our third selling exhibition.

The Nomad’s Tent was started in 1983 by Rufus Reade when he brought his first bales of kilims home from Turkey.  28 years later, now under the ownership of Andrew Haughton, The Nomads Tent continues to buy from ethical sources wherever possible. The experienced and enthusiastic team have travelled far and wide to bring you the practical, beautiful, sometimes quirky and often amazing work of dedicated craftsmen from around the world.

We love people to come and have a look at what is on display, whether they intend to buy or not.

At the same time, we shall have hot drinks, scones and soup available, with donations going to Music in Hospitals, This Scottish charity provides professional musicians to bring pleasure and entertainment to people all ages in hospitals, homes or hospices.  Many of these are in Stirlingshire.

On Tuesday 17th October, Rufus Reade himself will give an early evening talk entitled “Chasing the Donkey: Rushing round Turkey in Search of Rugs” which is an amusing account of the creation of the Nomads Tent. Further details on 01786870347 or kirstycuthbert@outlook.com

So, come and visit, have a browse, do some shopping or just come to support a very worthwhile charity.

Shop open 10am -5pm Friday 13th October – Sunday 22nd October

Talk at 7pm on 17th Oct, cost £10 including wine in aid of the Makhad Trust, supporting the Bedouin to maintain their traditional way of life.

Kirsty Cuthbert, The Myreton, Glinns Road, Kippen, Stirling, FK8 3JL

Hundreds of people turned up to show their support for the Kippen Street Fayre despite the typical Scottish ‘summer’ weather.

Rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm for the annual event which included a street parade, fun dog show, sausage-making demonstration and live music. The stall holders turned out in force with many new faces alongside the seasoned regulars.

People came from far and wide with one French tourist winning the prize for the furthest travelled.  The dog show, sponsored by Doune based vets Struthers and Scott, was very popular, especially the best tricks category which saw some great comical moments.

As always, the children entered into the spirit of things for the fancy dress parade which was based around the theme of Scottish Historical Characters – real and mythical. Reece Crawford steamed through the competition to scoop first prize in the Primary 1-3 category for his interpretation of The Flying Scotsman, closely followed by Florence Hood who came as Flora Macdonald.   Alfie James won first prize in the Primary 4–7 group for his Oor Willie costume with the group award going to Jenny Gardner, Holly Kenn and Maddie Anderson who came as the three witches from Macbeth.

Last year’s King and Queen passed on their crowns to the new regal kids on the block – Queen – Chloe Watt and King – Ryan Hawick who were ably assisted on the day with their attendants Alice Brownley, Teagan Finlay, Joe White and Ewan Milligan.

Nine year old Lily Bell also had her moment in the spotlight when her chilli, coriander and lime sausage recipe was picked as the winner in the sausage competition. Local butcher Cameron Skinner made her ‘Thai Twist’ sausages on the day as part of a demonstration which raised more than £70 for Kippen Contact the Elderly group.

The raffle went down a storm and raised more than £500 which will help support local organisations and charities.  A big thanks to the all the local businesses who donated prizes including  the Woodhouse, The Cross Keys, Rhubarb Lime, The Inn at Kippen, Briarlands Farm, Blairdrummond Safari Park, McQueen Gin, One Allan Park Wellbeing Clinic and Old Leckie Farm.

Old Play and Alan Stewart’s Ra Band, along with the lovely singer Anna McEachern, kept the crowds entertained and were eventually rewarded with glorious late afternoon sunshine.  The Kippen Street Fayre Organising Committee would like to thank everyone who came along and helped make the day a great success (despite the rain)!

Elsbeth Campbell