At the start of April, the "pre-Kirkcaldy" fairs take place in a number of towns & cities across Scotland usually lasting about 2 weeks and finishing on the Saturday or Sunday of the Kirkcaldy Pull On. Over in East Lothian, 2 fairs were open with Joe Taylor in Haddington and John Evans in Dunbar. The Haddington fair was a small fair with Joe Taylors Waltzers and Stanley Sharps Dodgems being the only large rides. In Dunbar, the fair was slightly larger with 3 large rides - Evans' Waltzers & Dodgems were joined by M&DC Slaters Miami. Through the West, Michael Stirling tried a new venue opening in East Kilbride. The people of East Kilbride have not had a fair for some time now but this year were lucky enough to be blessed with 2, one after the other. Funtime Carnivals presented a small family fair at the Bowling Club a week or so before the Stirlings came into town but open in a different area. Michaels Waltzers, Miami and Twist were joined by Vance Smiths Dodgems and Michael Hickeys Tagada which looked to be going down a treat with the teenagers. Ross Swallow also had his Simulator and Astroslide there as well as Dean Strilings Funhouse and Harry Stirlings Arcade. At the same time over in Hamilton, Trevor Smith presented another small fair at the retail park in Hamilton. The lesees Dodgems were joined by Wesley Clarks Chair'O'Planes, Asa Taylors Waltzers and Billy Burns Funhouse. Further East along the M8, Funtime Carnivals were open at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld with a few changes from last year. Alex Colquhouns Ghost Train, Vance Smiths Dodgems and James Arthur Wrights Wacky Worm being replaced by Albert Reids "Goldmine" Coaster, Justin Codonas Waltzers and Sheldon Johnstones Superbob which was open with a new roof added to it. There is still more work to be done on the roof, but Sheldon is happy with the way it looks so far. Still further East up the M8 and Hornes were paying their annual visit to the Tryst Showground in Stenhousemuir for their pre-Kirkcaldy fair. Hornes Waltzers, Twist and Jumper made return visits which were joined by the Miami that missed last years event due to being open in Aberdeen. This year it was the turn of the Dodgems to be missing from the line up being open at Mussleburgh Racecourse.

After all these fairs finish, there is really only one place most of them will be heading - to the 703rd Kirkclady Links Market. Although the machine count was down this year, there were still plenty of new rides to try and some of the favourites as well. New this year were John Bagnalls Superbowl, Trevor Smiths Dodgems, Graham Sedgwicks and David Taylors Freak Outs, M&D's Spiderman, "Bomber Mark 2" and Giant Wheel , Warren Taylors Jumper and open for the first time anywhere was John Wheatleys "Speed Buzz" Fun Factory. The Fun Factory was bought as a replacement for the "Telstar" Big Wheel and has been custom made to fit on the Big Wheel positions and is the only one travelling in the UK. The English Showmen were well represented again with Perrin Matthews Tango, Andrew Hariness' Seastorm, Bob Wilsons "Chaos", Darren Nobles Powersurge, Abie Danters Coaster, Walter Murphys Capriola and James Stokes Maze of Terror all present, the latter being under new ownership. Bishtons also made the journey again but this year with only their Gallopers as the Waveswinger stayed in England to attend other fairs. Gary Leach brought along his Haunted House and Jonathan Hart his "Lost Jungle" Funhouse which even had a sign stating its first visit to the fair. Missing from last years fair were, Funtime Carnivals Miami, Tower and Twist, Alex Colquhouns Ghost Train, David Wallis' Frisbee, Hornes Streetfighter, James Cox's Move It, Damien Batemans Move It, M&D's "Mad Mouse" Coaster & "Eclipse", Joey Silcocks Speedflip and William Hancocks Orbiter. Also missing this year was a Pony Express after last years fair having 2. Stewart Millers "Toboggan" was awarded the "Best Machine" trophey, with Preston Irvins Toyset winning "Best Juvenile or Side" and Charlie Horne won the "Best Transport" award.

From Kirkcaldy, Hornes headed up to Riverside for the first of the 2 Dundee fairs with a "Special Guest" in the form of Perrin Matthews Tango which is taking the place of Hornes "Adrenalin" for a few fairs. M&D's and Whites headed to Greenock to open for a joint fair at the Harbour Docks, which I have been told this will be the last fair there due to the ground being bought for development. Stanley Gamble joined Morrisons at Rosyth with his well presented Tagada and Joe Taylor headed to Carnoustie but for a much shorter fair than usual due to the Golf. John Wheatley headed to Alloa where John Evans has put together a much larger fair than normal with several changes and new rides including Hiscoes Drop Zone, Thomsons Streetfighter and staying up from England was Walter Murphys "2Xtreme" Capriola which is positioned at the top end of the ground and was doing extremely well when I visited.

Funtime Carnivals presented a fair at the Pheonix Retail Park in Linwood in the last 2 weeks of April with all "Funtime" machines being there joined by Johnstones Skydiver, Superbob and "Speedy Gonzales" Coaster. The fair was fenced off as normal with security and wristbands were in operation. Supporting attractions were in the form of Trent Irvins Basketball, Irvin Stringfellows Mirrors and Eddie Pinders "Indys Trail" Funhouse. In the last week of the month, Gavin Stirling opened at the Victoria Park in Falkirk with his Waltzers & superbly redecorated Twist, Slaters Round Up & Miami and Trevor Smiths Dodgems. The fair looked completely different from last years with almost a complete change in line up. Harry Paris' Arcade, Asa Pullars Funhouse and Ross Swallows Simulator just some of the supporting attractions.