The Lismore Agricultural Society

The Lismore Agricultural show has a long very impressive  history. 

John David MacColl, the last secretary of the Lismore Agricultural Society, carefully preserved its archive in a tin box after the Society’s activities stopped around the time of WW2.  In due course, his son, Archie, kindly presented the box to Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor for safe keeping.  The archive includes the founding minute book of the Society from 1853, which shows that, although it had “gentlemen” presidents, it was really run by the tenants of the island, and the prizes for ploughing, crops, livestock and dairy products were keenly contested amongst farmers and crofters. 

Staff at the European Ethnological Research Centre, based at Edinburgh University, have judged the minute book to be of national importance, and a key source for research, since so few documents of this kind have survived in Scotland.  It has now been published in full, with a full commentary, at: 

https://www.regionalethnologyscotland.llc.ed.ac.uk/written/minute-book-lismore-agricultural-society-1853-1868 

Although the Lismore Agricultural Society had not been reinstated since it was wound up before WW2,  in 2014 The Carmichael family  reinstated it on their croft at Craiganich and, although it had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the covid pandemic, they ran it very successfully this year, 2022, with a large entry of livestock, a good entry of crafts and bakes and a large crowd. .

In 2017 they successfully applied for funds from the Big Lottery Fund  which they say has made an incredible difference. Earlier, they said, they had to beg and borrow in order to obtain equipment to hold the show, Now with a sounder financial footing they can  continue to grow..

They also fund raise during the year with a Race Night, a virtual balloon race, and quizzes. It’s not just around show time that they work hard to produce the show..

Local agricultural shows are unique events, with such varied competition classes as; 2 fat lambs, gimmers, calves, an origami bird, photography, painting, baking, dog shows and more .They are also open and accessible, no matter how young or senior you are,  This in time strengthens the strong community bonds we have established and provides a fantastic day out for all.

See more about the show here 

Slide show below