Undiscovered Scotland

 

In late June the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, near Edinburgh Airport, throws open its gates for the Royal Highland Show. 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. 2024 was the 202nd Royal Highland Show. Over 222,000 visitors flocked to the showground over the 4 day event.

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. Boutique designers from Scotland and across the UK showcase high quality clothing and accessories not seen on the high street. There is also a vast selection of specialist clothing and equipment for a variety of country pursuits, as well as agricultural equipment of every shape, colour and function, and in sizes that range from the impressive to the extremely impressive. (Continues below images...)

 

Whilst it can be said the Royal Highland Show offers something for everyone, the animal competitions and judging are, for many, the highlight. 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.

In 2024 there were more than 6,000 animals including sheep, cattle, poultry and horses competing for over 327 trophies, including the Queen's Cup, and a prize fund of £208,073. Having watched the judging and competitions, visitors are able to wander round and look at the prize winning livestock close up.

There are numerous competitions attracting entries, with the prestigious Royal Highland Show Championships and Interbreed awards being the most famous, and most coveted. The popular Highland cattle are housed in the Royal Highland Hall, where the hairy competitors are made to look their best before being paraded before the judges and the public.

It's not just the best livestock that are judged at the Royal Highland Show. The finest foods, traditional skills and show jumping are also assessed with the winners receiving highly coveted prizes. The craftspeople and food producers are able to enter various competitions. As well as the "best" honey, butter and cheese prizes (amongst others), there is judging of traditional crafts such as knitting, needlepoint, shepherds' crooks and walking sticks.

The 2024 Show also saw some new elements. The Scottish Dairy Championships included new milk and cream classes, with 140 types of ice creams and sorbets judged. There was a new ladies shearing category, won by Emily Te Kapa, and a new Kerry Hill class in the Show's sheep section, which included 75 entries and saw Chris Adamson with a ewe take home the inaugural award.

Following closely behind the livestock in terms of popularity are the unique shopping opportunities on offer at the Royal Highland Show. Over 800 exhibitors, stretching across food, drink, clothing, artisanal crafts and agri-trade were in attendance. These included an array of luxury retailers, fine furniture and furnishings, jewellery and art, and the Show's food offering, Scotland's Larder, in The Lowland Hall. Featuring a whole host of the finest food and drink exhibitors from across Scotland and the UK, Scotland's Larder is a lively, stimulating, informative and interactive area full of smells, sights and samples.

Meanwhile, back in the main ring, the show jumping classes attract many famous names in the sport from across the UK. Equestrian events take place in both the main ring and in other areas of the showground, with visitors able to claim a grandstand seat or rail-side view at no extra cost. Competition is fierce.

Children aged 15 and under were able to attend the Show for free through RHET (Royal Highland Education Trust) and over 21,311 attended over the four days. 5,630 of them came with school groups from 215 schools and there was plenty for them to do, including trying their hand at milking Mabel the (fibreglass) cow and taking part in honey tasting and candle making. The RHET Discovery Centre offered an education programme for children of all ages, including interactive workshops, live demonstrations, food tastings and lots more.

9,064 people enjoyed the toe-tapping Royal Highland Hoolie after the Show on Friday and Saturday. Presented by legendary country music promoters, Farmers Bash, the event brought together eight live folk and country music acts, including Tide Lines, Derek Ryan and Nathan Evans.

The Royal Highland Show is marketed as "The Greatest Show On Earth"; and as the annual showcase of all that's best in farming, food and countryside, it cannot fail to impress. There is a huge display of the latest farm machinery - who doesn't want to squeeze themselves in the largest tractor tyre they can find for the annual RHS selfie? - a countryside area with its own loch and some stunning landscaping, plus trade stands, demonstrations and events reflecting a wide range of country sports, activities and rural skills and much, much more...