Stranraer Oyster Festival

Stranraer Oyster Festival is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Major Events Strategic Fund, EventScotland’s National Events Funding Programme and South of Scotland Enterprise. The work of Stranraer Development Trust is also supported by Kilgallioch Community Fund.

Stranraer Oyster Festival takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September 2024. Early Bird Weekend tickets cost £15, and Day Tickets cost from £6, with concessions available. 

Programme Highlights

The Return of The Spice Men

Ten years ago, acclaimed chefs Tony Singh and Cyrus Todiwala set out on a mission to wake Britain up to the versatility of spices with their hit BBC TV show The Incredible Spice Men. They’re reuniting at Stranraer Oyster Festival for two special events on the Friday and Saturday evenings of the festival. These special events are strictly limited to only 100 people, with lots of opportunities for audience interaction and conversation, and tickets include a glass of Prosecco on arrival and delicious canapes. Tony and Cyrus are also doing individual cookery demos on Saturday afternoon.

Julie & Jimmy’s Sizzling Woks

Another TV double-act, Julie Lin and Jimmy Lee are two of TV’s most exciting new stars - Julie is a regular on BBC's Saturday Kitchen Live while Jimmy contributes to ITV's This Morning. They collaborated as hosts of STV’s hit show Julie and Jimmy’s Hot Woks and they’re reuniting at Stranraer Oyster Festival for a Saturday afternoon treat that’s sure to be filled with fun, flavour and lots of laughs! This exclusive event is limited to 100 people with Prosecco and canapes to enjoy as Julie and Jimmy show you how to make some of their favourite Chinese and East Asian takeaway dishes at home. Both chefs are also doing individual cookery demos on Friday and Sunday

Scottish Shucking Championship

The ‘Shuck Off’ returns to Stranraer Oyster Festival, pitting chefs, oyster growers, producers, fishermen and industry professionals against each other in a bid to claim the title of Scottish Oyster Shucking Champion! The winner will go on to represent Scotland at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland. The Championship takes place from 12.30pm-2pm on Saturday 14th September, compered by Chef Andy Cummings. 

Opening Parade

A bright and lively twilight parade to mark the start of the oyster harvesting season, led by the Vital Spark oyster boat, includes participation from the young people of Stranraer, a dazzling fling from the Lochryan Highland Dance Events Group, culminating in a firework display.

A Book Launch & Brunch

Acclaimed Scottish chef Pam Brunton has chosen Stranraer Oyster Festival as one of the launch events for her stunning new book ‘Between Two Waters’. Part memoir, part manifesto on the future of feeding the world, it documents the difficult early days of her now multiple award-winning restaurant Inver - the only restaurant in Scotland to receive a Michelin Green Star. Pam will be sharing her passions and philosophy, deeply rooted in sustainability and sense of place, at various events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

The Oyster Bar

The Oyster Bar is where festival-goers 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. For anyone trying oysters for the first time, the Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery team are happy to spend time offering advice and tips about how best to enjoy them.

Extreme Pond Dipping

This is pond dipping like no other! The crew of the oyster boat, the Vital Spark, head out to the oyster bed and bring back to shore everything they find to give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the aquatic life that lives in Loch Ryan. Visitors of all ages will be able to see and handle some of the creatures, which often includes crabs and starfish, as well as oysters.