Calling all foodies, seafood connoisseurs, and lovers of live music - are you ready for a fabulous festival experience? Stranraer Oyster Festival is fast approaching and you don't want to miss it!
If you've never been to the Stranraer Oyster Festival before, then you're in for a treat. From talks and cookery demonstrations from celebrity guest chefs, to artisan traders selling local food, drink, and crafts – even if seafood simply isn’t your thing, there’s a whole host of deliciousness to look forward to.
Below are ten reasons why you should make Stranraer Oyster Festival 2023 a priority in your food festival calendar this year!
Talks and cookery demos from celebrity guest chefs
Michael Caines and Tony Singh top the billing in the Kitchen Marquee at Stranraer Oyster Festival, but in total around 10 chefs will be inspiring the crowds over the weekend. The exclusive ‘An Audience with…’ events add prosecco, canapes and limited numbers, providing you with a more intimate experience and an opportunity to ask questions. Throughout the weekend guest chefs will showcase their culinary skills by creating mouth-watering dishes using the freshest oysters and local ingredients. There will be tasters, ideas, laughs, inspiration and advice aplenty that you’ll be able to incorporate into your own culinary creations.
The Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships
Do you enjoy watching skilled professionals compete in their craft? The Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships offers that and much more, including oyster insight from compere and oyster expert, Tristan Hugh-Jones of Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company. Take your seat in the Entertainment Marquee and witness the very best shuckers from across Scotland compete and showcase their shucking prowess. The competition is fierce, but it’s not all about speed. The #Shuckoff competitors are scored on their presentation skills as well as their time. It’s all to play for, as the winner will head off to Galway in September to represent Scotland in the World Championships!
Live music from fantastic local bands
You can’t have a festival atmosphere without live music, and Stranraer Oyster Festival showcases bands, musicians and performers in the Entertainment Marquee throughout the weekend. There’s a mix of musical styles represented, with many of the bands firm local favourites. Watch out for music headliners Pork Pie on Friday evening, and Astoria on Saturday evening.
Extreme Pond Dipping
Discover the critters and creatures that lurk at the bottom of Loch Ryan! This is pond dipping like no other! The crew of the oyster boat, the Vital Spark, will head out to the oyster bed and will bring back to shore everything they find to give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the aquatic life that lives in Loch Ryan. You’ll be able to see and handle some of the creatures, which often includes crabs and starfish, as well as oysters. This is a fascinating experience for kids and adults alike.
The Oyster Bar
The Oyster Bar is where you can indulge in the real stars of Stranraer Oyster Festival – the oysters themselves! There’s Loch Ryan natives available to try, as well as farmed rock oysters. The Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery team will guide you through how best to enjoy them, and you can try them with a selection of different toppings. The Oyster Bar is right next to the drinks bar, so you can quench your thirst whilst taking in the live music and the fantastic views over Loch Ryan.
Artisan Traders
Stranraer Oyster Festival is a real melting pot of flavours from local food, drink, and crafts artisans. You will discover a diverse range of locally-sourced products that you can take home and enjoy. With so much on offer, it's the perfect opportunity to fill your baskets with a wide range of tasty goods.
Meet the Oyster team
Stranraer Oyster Festival is an excellent opportunity to meet the Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery team face-to-face. You can learn about the oyster bed and its ecological importance. You'll also get to taste freshly harvested oysters and appreciate the art of shucking.
Family-friendly fun
Stranraer Oyster Festival 2023 is a family-friendly event with something for everyone. Children and young people have their very own huge marquee that’s packed with fun activities throughout the weekend. Younger visitors can meet festival favourite Daffy Dill, while teens can dance the night away at a Silent Disco.
Water sports tasters
It’s not just oysters that make Loch Ryan special, this stunning sea loch is the perfect place to enjoy water sports and activities. The Stranraer Water Sports Association will be running taster sessions all weekend, it’s a fantastic way to see whether messing about on the water is right for you! From paddleboarding to kayaking, the qualified instructors will help you enjoy the water safely and confidently.
Explore Stranraer
After you’ve indulged in oysters and festivities, we highly recommend taking some time to explore Stranraer and its attractions. Why not visit the Castle of St John, Agnew Park or Stranraer Museum, or venture further afield to visit Castle Kennedy gardens, the Mull of Galloway, Logan Botanic Gardens or Logan Fish Pond? You can explore stunning coastal walks and trails, or follow the Lighthouses of the Rhins self directed tour. Stranraer is steeped in rich history, and there’s lots to discover about the region and its culture.
The Stranraer Oyster Festival 2023 is Scotland's leading seafood festival. There are numerous reasons to attend the festival, ranging from trying mouth-watering oysters to listening to local bands and exploring the region's cultural heritage. Book your calendar, bring your family and friends and get ready to indulge in Scotland's sensational seafood at the Stranraer Oyster Festival 2023.
