The best way to describe June is a 'Gala' month where funfairs are part of a towns gala celebrations. Fairs usually open on the Wednesday and close on the Saturday evening. The Lothian area of Scotland is one of the busiest places for gala fairs with 3 or 4 happening every week for the whole month.

Starting off in Hawick at the start of the month and a large funfair can be found in the Haugh car park, where a more traditional fair can be found in terms of 2 rows of large rides back to back enclosed with a hugh square of 'side' equipment. The balance of side & machines, I think, is just right with a ratio of 3 Juvenile rides for 1 large ride. Scotlands newest attraction, John Wheatleys Fun Factory, was making its debut here where it seemed to be riding quite well. 2 Waltzers were again present, Joe Taylors 'Equalizer' and John Evans "Peoples Mover" - one on each side of the centre part of the ground. Both sets were riding about the same when I visited. At the top end of the ground, Edwin & Eddie Pinders Funhouses could be found side by side as thay have been at a lot of fairs this year. On the way back up from the Borders, I stopped into West Linton where Spencer Hiscoes fair was open. All 3 of Spencers rides were there, including the "Drop Zone" which was on its first visit, in addition to Billy Johnsons "Space Shuttle" Rock'O'Plane. The trade seemed to be steady on the Friday night, but a biggest part of the trade would come from the main gala day on the Saturday.

The next day, 4 fairs were visited in and around the Lothian area. The first was Fauldhouse with 5 machines being Irvin Stringfellows "Drop Zone", Miami and Twist on a first visit to the fair. Joining these were Rodney Johnstones Skydiver & Reagan Evans Dodgems on their usual plots. Next, just a few miles away, George Henry Codona was open at Harthill with 4 machines, his own Waltzers & Twist, Wesley Clarks Chair'O'Planes & Stanley Sharps Dodgems. New to the fair this year was Harry Paris' "Safari" Train ride which was positioned at the top of the fair next the Clarks Chairs. After Harthill I headed East and over to East Calder where Morrisons had 6 machines open for business these were Morrisons "Night Rider" Waltzers, Stanley Gambles Tagada, Hickeys "Remix" Miami, David Thomsons "Trailblazer" Superbob, Sheldon Evans Skydiver and Glen Millers "Meteorite" Round Up which was visiting Scotland for 3 weeks before heading back down for Newcastle. The fair has a couple more days of trade opening on the Monday but on gala day itself, the fair is not allowed to open until 4pm after all the celebrations are over with. The final fair of the evening was a larger fair at Leith Links presented by Taylors of Edinburgh opening from the Wednesday through to the Sunday. New to the fair this year was Rodney Johnstones "Speedy Gonzales" Coaster and as custom, Michael O'Brien crossed the border to visit the fair with his Superbob and Big Wheel.

The following week and galas were being held in Forth, Armadale, Grangemouth, Broxburn and Livingston Deans. When I visited Forth, opening was delayed due to the weather but the fair eventually opened for those that dared to venture outside. Armadale was next which is one of the larger fairs. John Wheatleys "Speed Buzz" making its debut here as too was Glen Millers "Meteorite" Round Up but there were no Dodgems this year due to Owen Taylor having other fairs down south. Hornes Jumper was moved onto this positon and the same owners Twist was open on the Jumper position. The fair had a different look about it with no Dodgems and Big Wheel but still a very nice fair to visit. After East Calder, Morrisons opened in Broxburn with most of the machines that was with them at East Calder with the exception of Gambles Tagada and Glen Millers Round Up, which went to Armadale, but Joe Richard Whites Twist was again present as in previous years. Grangemouth was somewhat smaller this year but still had a good line up. Joe Whites "Hellchaser" Ghost Train returned for another year and was joined this year by David Thomsons "Energy Storm" Streetfighter, the first of its kind to open here and seemed to be doing rather well. Graham Sedgwicks "Superspin" returned after a years abscence to join regulars such as Trevor Smiths Dodgems, Johnny Whites Tagada and Asa Taylors ever popular Waltzers. The final fair, Livingston Deans, was a small fair with Joe Taylors Waltzers, Rodney Johnstones Skydiver & Henry Evans Experience joined by a few juveniles. The weather was very dull and raining when I visited but there were still quite a few people enjoying what was on offer.

Heading towards the last week or so in June, Hornes were open at Peebles, 6 rides were open at Loanhead including Slaters Miami & Round Up, Hiscoes held a small fair in Melrose and Michael Stirling presented the fair at Winchburgh which had the same line up as last year - the Lesees Miami & Twist, Billy Johnsons Rock'O'Plane and Harry Knowles Ribtickler which has had some decoration added to the front. Just a few miles away and George Henry Codona opened at Whitburn with a different line up from previous. 10 rides were on offer including Craig McKays "Transylvania" Ghost Train, Warren Taylors Jumper and Chance Hanleys Skydiver which were all on first time visits. John Batemans Rock'O'Plane and Henry Evans Experience returned to the fair after a years absence. A huge chunk of the trade could be found up in the corner of the fair where Gambles Tagada & Thomsons Superbob were side by side. The rides are always running well and always manage to set a good atmosphere at any fair they attend.

The final weekend, and a very wet one at that, and the Gala fairs continued with Shotts, Polbeth, Bo'Ness and Galashiels. Shotts had 4 rides, Hickeys Miami & Tagada, Joe Taylors Waltzers & Wesley Clarks Chairs. When I visited on the Thursday, a lot of the side and juvenile rides had still to be built up, obviously the weather had a big part to play in this as the fair is held on a field. Justin Codona was the Lesee at Polbeth for a slightly larger fair with 5 rides and again the fair was set up on soft ground so it was quite muddy with large puddles every where. Next was Bo'Ness and by this time the heavens had opened. A smaller fair was open this year with Asa Taylors Waltzers & John Whites Tagada at other fairs. Sheldon Johnstones Superbob was a replacement for one of the rides and was positioned next to Rodney Johnstones Skydiver. John Wheatleys Miami moved to the opposite end of the ground to accommodate this. Owen Taylors Dodgems made this fair and were open on the usual position. Finally in June, it was down to Galashiels, after visiting Newcastle Town Moor, and to a very muddy selection of rides including Warren Taylors Jumper and Pony Express, David Thomsons Superbob and Streetfighter, Hiscoes Miami, Twist, Tower and Dodgems and Joe Whites Rollerghoster which was open at its last fair before heading to Ireland for 8 weeks. Randall Taylors Gallopers & Henry Evan Experience were new to the fair this year. Taking a break from being open at his Amusement Park in Helensburgh, Douglas Codona was open with his newly decorated Waltzer front. There is still more to do but you can really see the difference already. The weather was bright and sunny when I called in on the Friday night but the ground was very muddy which was putting some people off.