Sam Heughan to headline Stranraer Oyster Festival, alongside much loved television chefs
Over 30,000 visitors will head to the shores of Loch Ryan in September 2026 for the annual Stranraer Oyster Festival, now firmly established as one of Scotland’s most popular and impactful food-focused events.
OCC will return this year, joined by a stellar line-up of contributors including Outlander star Sam Heughan, and celebrity chefs Matt Tebbutt, Rosemary Shrager, Tony Singh and Julie Lin. New to the festival this year will be Noby Leong, host of the ground-breaking podcast Satay Okay.
Sam Heughan will headline an unhurried two-hour Sunday afternoon session, including a discussion with OCC’s Don Sloan, focused on his life and career, the ‘Outlander effect’ on Scotland’s tourism sector and on its growth as a destination for film and television production, and his role as a proud champion of Galloway. Sam will also be joined by Rosemary Shrager and Julie Lin who will prepare dishes to match with two of his signature cocktails.
Matt Tebbut will be heading straight from the BBC Saturday Kitchen studio to Stranraer, in record time, to join Tony Singh on stage in the festival’s Kitchen Marquee.
First timer Noby Leong, who’s podcast takes a deep dive into the distinctive food culture of Malaysia, will showcase dishes reflecting his family heritage.
Romano Petrucci, Chair of Stranraer Development Trust, said:
“We are of course thrilled to be welcoming Sam Heughan to Stranraer for an event that is designed to showcase the very best of Galloway, our shared home region. And the fact that every celebrity chef from last year wanted to return tells you something profound about what the festival Stranraer has created. These are people at the very top of their profession, several of them household names, they could be anywhere in the world, and they’re choosing to be in Stranraer to celebrate our community and our very special Loch Ryan oysters.”
Tony Singh, Rosemary Shrager, Matt Tebbutt and Julie Lin returning to Stranraer for this year’s Oyster Festival
Scottish Oyster Shucking Championship now open for entry
The ‘Shuck Off’ returns to Stranraer Oyster Festival, pitting chefs, oyster growers, producers, fishermen and industry professionals against each other for the title of Scottish Oyster Shucking Champion. The winner will go on to represent Scotland at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland.
World-class oysters
Stranraer Oyster Festival celebrates the ecological treasure that lies beneath Loch Ryan’s waters – an estimated 23 million native oysters, forming one of Europe’s most important oyster beds. Protected by Royal Charter since 1701, the bed is managed sustainably, with 95% of each catch carefully re-laid to grow the oyster population. The festival has grown from a community dream into one of Scotland’s most successful food festivals, generating more than £12 million in economic impact since 2017 and attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond to this scenic corner of Galloway.
OCC’s Don Sloan returning as compere on the festival stage
Tickets and information
Stranraer Oyster Festival 2026 takes place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September. Admission tickets and tickets for the Kitchen Marquee chef-led events are now on sale, with the wider festival programme details to be announced in June.