Ayr International Air Show 2026

 The Ayr International Air Show is our largest local event of the year, drawing more than 200,000 people to attend the seashore events and aircraft displays. Ayr is a fair-sized town, but those numbers put incredible pressure on car parking and public transport. Plenty of complaints came from car drivers who didn't arrive early, and traffic leaving the town from the park-and-ride sites was apparently difficult. I went by train, just a few stops down the line and got there without a problem mid-afternoon and away in a reasonable time. ScotRail added extra services and used full-length trains.

The seafront has static displays, including all the local military units. Plus a large collection of eating options and circus rides. They ensure that not everyone leaves at the end of the displays.

Air show schedules are always a challenge, given the distances some of the aircraft travel and the weather. Ayr is a popular show because Prestwick Airport is nearby for landing and refuelling. The weather was dry, but a bit windy and cloudy. The constant schedule changes are annoying, and I missed the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which arrived well ahead of the planned schedule.

Nonetheless, there was a good spread of aircraft types, and this is one of those rare days when my proper camera gets a run-out. The Red Arrows are always the high point, but the Navy Wings and the tornado are also well worth seeing. Even if my ears haven't quite recovered from the Tornado engine noise!

The C-130s from the Canadian Air Force are regular visitors to Prestwick. And regularly interrupt my golf!

Wingwalking. Not for me thanks!

Irish Air Corps display team.

Navy Wings

Seaplane, which again flies around Scotland. Just a splash for the air show given the winds and sea state.

The Red Arrows Hawk aircraft are now 40 years old. They are to be replaced.

Not the greatest picture, as I was on my way out, and it shifts a bit. But an impressive display

Always a quality day out.

Claymore 2026

 Yesterday was the Edinburgh Claymore show, held on the Edinburgh College site at Granton. As usual, it was excellently organised by the Edinburgh club, in a venue with good car parking and catering.

I took the latest GDWS participation game, The Battle of Grocka 1739, the decisive battle of the 1736-39 war, which resulted in the Austrians losing most of the territory Prince Eugene had previously won for them in Serbia and Wallachia. The Austrian players yesterday did no better than General Wallis in attempting to get their cavalry through strong Ottoman positions. The best effort was one dragoon regiment, ironically the Eugene regiment, which breached the first line.

I was kept busy all day chatting about the history and playing the game, so I didn't see much of the show. Many thanks to all those who bought my new book on this war. Hopefully, growing interest in obscure 18th-century conflicts.

Here is a selection of the fine games on show.

The Durham club, with their 54mm figures, is always a joy to see.

A clever quick participation game, with Caledonians trying to get through the Roman lines.

The Glasgow Veterans Hub brought their ACW Epic game.

Tradeston's White Mountain game.

The Yorkshire Gamer came north with his Italian Wars armies.

The latest edition of Lilies banners

Wars of the Roses, if I recall.

Zulus in a proper scale before Epic armies appear!

Ian's Border Wars in Hexham Gaol.

Tradeston went space something.

A very long Arnhem game

1866 War.

I only had time to grab a few bits and pieces from the traders, but most of the usual suppliers were there. It is challenging coming to Edinburgh when the fringe grabs the hotels. So, I hope they did well.

Carronade 2026

 I went to the Carronade show in Falkirk today. This was held in a new venue, Falkirk High School. This is a large modern school building with three good-sized halls and other rooms. The halls were well-lit and allowed plenty of room between the games. It was a real joy not to constantly bump into the visitors as you are running a game. The car parking was reasonable, never enough of course, but no worse than the old venue and schools are not designed to cater for large numbers of cars. I understand that public transport at the weekend isn't great, but friends who came by bus got there OK. One downside was the absence of catering, but this was signalled well in advance, so most folk brought sandwiches. The phone signal was poor, although I personally had no problems. Overall, I think the venue was an improvement.

There were 38 traders present. Not many of the big names, but this leaves room for smaller firms that you don't see at other shows. I was busy running a game all day, so I didn't get around much or visit the extensive flea market. However, there was no shortage of visitors carrying bags of goodies.

Twenty-eight clubs came and put on a mix of display and participation games. A few from south of the border, but a good turnout from Scottish clubs. The standard of games was very high. I was running the GDWS participation game, the battle of Banja Luka 1737, using Lust for Glory rules. There was a steady stream of visitors keen to discuss both the period and the rules. Many await their publication eagerly. We played the game twice, and the Ottomans won both times. A historical outcome as well. To the Strongest players picked up the rules quickly, and young players were quickly correcting me. In my defence, we are on version 30!

Other than the games around me, I only had a brief opportunity to visit the other halls. So, my apologies for this less-than-comprehensive selection. I would have liked to spend more time chatting.

Given the date, D-Day games were not in short supply. This was Sainte Mere Eglise, by the Dumfries club, with a very fine church model. Bolt Action.

This picture does not do justice to Ian's (Flags of War) wonderful take on the Battle of Falkirk Muir 1746 in 28mm, using his lovely figures and, of course, flags.

More D-Day with Pegasus Bridge, using Fireball rules, which I have never heard of before. Gourock club.

Battle of Pondicherry 1761, from the Cumbria club.

Another picture that doesn't do justice to the massive Cannae game in 28mm from the Westerhope club using their own rules.

If there were a prize for the best-named club, The Grumpy Goblins from Kilmarnock would win it. This is Stargrave using 35mm figures.

Yes, more D-Day, this time on a massive scale by the Glasgow Warhogs.

Zulu Wars in 28mm.

As tank battles go, they don't get bigger than the Battle of Prokhorovka. Tyneside club using Spearhead rules in 10mm.

The Glasgow Veterans Hub, using the ACW Warlord's epic figures, in large numbers.

Glasgow Tradeston, moving from the Clyde to the Nile with this Egyptian v Sea Peoples game. 

As always, a big thank you to the Falkirk club. They are always there to help, and it takes a lot of work to put on a big show like this.

Napoleonic Open Day

My wargame club, GDWS, runs an annual Napoleonic Open Day, funded by a bequest from a former club member who was a serious fan of the Napoleonic period. We mostly run Napoleonic games, invite other clubs, and make it open to the public to encourage interest in the hobby. It is an opportunity to play longer games as the hall is open all day.

I ran the big 28mm game on a 12 x 6 table based on the interesting French 1814 campaign. A surprise to many in the club, as it wasn't in the Balkans! However, there was a link, as the French commander was Marmont, the Balkan Marshal, and the Austrians had several regiments of Grenzers. The Austrians, with a Russian division, were defending a river line, and Marmont's job was to destroy them. Part of Napoleon's interior lines strategy in this campaign. He didn't quite destroy them, but did manage to roll up the Austrian right flank. The rules were Black Powder.

Then we had Eylau in 1807, fought in the snow. The Scottish weather was unseasonably (well, maybe not😏) wet, but not quite that bad. Nevertheless, the guys put on a good version of the battle using Blucher rules.

Next up was Sagunto 1811 using the Empire Bataille rules. Suchet's French army against the Spanish commanded by Blake during the Peninsular War. Nice to see a Spanish army on the tabletop.

Then the Soldiers of Napoleon rules using the 18mm WoFun miniatures, which look pretty good in this scale. 

Finally, Black Seas, which, as ever, had a happy band of participants. They make what used to be a complicated period to game very simple. 

Hopefully, there was something for everyone, and I was particularly pleased about the range of different rules played.

Most of us will be meeting up again next Saturday at the Carronade show in Falkirk. We will be putting on a participation game based on the Battle of Banja Luka in 1737, using Lust for Glory rules. Back to the actual Balkans!