Royal Highland Show

The Royal Highland Show

In late June each year the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, throws open its gates for the Royal Highland Show.

Horses - Close Up And More Distant Cattle And Sheep Dogs and Their Handlers

The show is run by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Founded in 1784, the Society aims to promote the regeneration of rural Scotland by showcasing the best that Scotland has to offer. And if visitor numbers are anything to go by, the message is getting through loud and clear: the 2006 event attracted over 160,000 visitors over its four days.

Sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Show doesn't just feature the animal and craft competitions that have made its name over the years. Visitors are able to taste fine food and drink from across the country - and beyond - and talk to the people who produce it. Quality crafts are also a major part of the 4 day show. Exhibitors can compete for prizes in traditional skills and the Craft Village is crowded with artisans all eager to promote and sell their goods to visitors.

The animal competitions and judging are, for many, the highlight of the show. Equestrian and livestock events take place from dawn to dusk over the duration of the show and visitors are able to observe the preparation and judging of the magnificent animals proudly put forward by their breeders.

Dining Outdoors

...And Indoors

Hmm... Danish!

Savour Flavours

Last year over 260 exhibitors showed off their sheep. Entries included over 20 types and breeds registered for competition. Having watched the judging and competitions, visitors are able to wander around and look at the prize winning livestock close up.

Almost a thousand cattle were also entered into various competitions last year. The prestigious Royal Highland Show Championships and Interbreed awards being the most famous, and most coveted. Housed in the Royal Highland Hall these hairy competitors are made to look their best before being paraded before the judges and the public.

The craftspeople and food producers are also able to enter various competitions. As well as the typical "best" honey, butter and cheese prizes (to name just a few) the 2005 show saw the Supreme Prize in the Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Awards go to the Arbroath Smokie; entered into the competition by R R Spink & Sons - a family who have been smoking fish in Arbroath since 1715.

The Lowland Hall is packed with the stands of producers from across Scotland, the rest of the UK and parts of Europe. Visitors are able to taste their way through the show before buying the produce and taking it home with them.

Although the focus of this part of the Show has always been to provide visitors with a wide range of food and drink from across Scotland, it is now able to boast the largest display of Scottish produce anywhere.

Trade Displays