This year’s Stranraer Oyster Festival 2025 has been hailed as the most successful yet, with celebrity chef Matt Tebbutt describing the weekend as "a wonderful, feel-good festival" after racing directly from the BBC Saturday Kitchen studios to join thousands of visitors celebrating Scotland's last wild, native oyster fishery.
Speaking about his visit to Stranraer Oyster Festival which took place from 12-14 September, Matt Tebbutt said: "What a wonderful, feel-good festival, I loved every minute. It was just joyous; great fun, lovely people and completely celebratory, an enormous party celebrating these amazing oysters and fantastic local food."
The festival's expanded programme featured a stellar line-up of demonstrations from renowned chefs including Tony Singh, Rosemary Shrager, and Julie Lin, alongside a marine science programme, a huge artisan market, live music and children’s activities.
At her final demonstration of the festival weekend, Rosemary Shrager captured the essence of what makes Stranraer Oyster Festival unique: "It has been, quite frankly, incredible, the atmosphere and the feeling of the community. It actually has a very French feel about it; everybody sits together as a community at these fantastic long tables. I've never seen that before in this country and I think that says a lot about this festival, because it's all about friendship and people coming together. I think it's just a phenomenal place, the whole town parties, it's just wonderful."
Tony Singh, Chef Ambassador for the festival, who returned for the fifth time, was equally impressed with the festival's evolution: "Stranraer Oyster Festival has truly come of age this year. You've nailed it. It's just fantastic."
Romano Petrucci, Chair of Stranraer Development Trust, reflected on another remarkable weekend: "It was wonderful, just wonderful. Our gratitude extends to everyone who made this festival possible - from our generous sponsors and funders to the young volunteers who are doing their bit for their community. I want to thank our incredibly hard-working team and, most importantly, the thousands of visitors who came to Stranraer and embraced everything our town has to offer."
The festival's success reflects its evolution from a community regeneration project launched in 2017 to what is now recognised as one of Scotland's premier food festivals. Since its inception, the event has generated more than £12 million in economic impact for the local area, supported hundreds of jobs, and catalysed broader community-led regeneration initiatives across Stranraer.
The festival continues to play a crucial role in showcasing Loch Ryan's ecological treasure - the native oyster beds that are among the most important in Europe. This year saw record demand for the oysters, with sales up by a third and only a few hundred remaining from the thousands of oysters brought to the festival.
The festival includes the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships, with Alexander Wallace claiming the title for the third time. This will be the first year Alexander has been able to take his place at the World Championships, which is held in Galway, Ireland, later this month.
In previous years, he has missed out due to a clash with his own wedding and then the birth of his first child. Alexander's family holds the rights to the native oyster bed in Loch Ryan, and he was hard at work showcasing his expertise by shucking at the festival all weekend, introducing many people to their first taste of these incredible oysters.
Katie Hagman, Convenor of Dumfries and Galloway Council, who attended the festival on Sunday said:
“Stranraer Oyster Festival has once again proven to be a brilliant example of community spirit, innovation, and regional pride. Its elevation this year to one of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Signature Events reflects its significant impact both locally and nationally as well as its growing popularity.
“The festival continues to attract thousands of visitors which helps to boost our local economy, and it showcases the very best of our wonderful coastal heritage. We are proud to support this excellent event which celebrates Stranraer’s unique identity and contributes so positively to the whole region.”
The 2025 festival was supported by headline sponsor Lactalis UK & Ireland, alongside Rock Island whisky, Stranraer Skills Station, Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company and many local businesses. Additional support came from Dumfries and Galloway Council's Signature Events programme, the Coastal Benefit Fund, and South of Scotland Enterprise.
Jane Morrison-Ross of South of Scotland Enterprise took part in the marine science launch event hosted by the Solway Coast Marine Project, where she explained the importance of the South of Scotland Natural Capital Innovation Zone. She said:
“There is something truly unique about Stranraer and the people who live there, and the oyster festival is an incredible example of community innovation. As one of the most important events in the south of Scotland, the contribution to the local economy is huge, but what strikes me most is the atmosphere - it's absolutely wonderful.
“The way this festival raises the profile of our region while delivering genuine social impact is seriously impressive. When we talk about the South of Scotland being a Natural Capital Innovation Zone, then the people of Stranraer, the oysters, and the oyster festival are a shining example of how our natural assets can create lasting benefits.”
Stranraer Oyster Festival 2026 will take place from 11 to 13 September, and local accommodation providers are already reporting bookings from visitors eager to attend. Early bird festival tickets are expected to go on sale in June 2026.
