Royal Highland Show

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The Royal Highland Show is Scotland's annual farming and countryside showcase.

It is held annually at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston over the second-last weekend in June (Thursday - Sunday), the event attracts over 1,000 exhibitors, 4,500 head of livestock, and an annual 150,000 visitors - making it Scotland's most popular summer event^{[citation needed]} and the premier fixture in Scotland's farming calendar. It generates over £200 million in business^[1]. Exhibitors compete for the prestige of winning not only a prize ticket, but also for prize money and trophies worth over £1 million.

1 Attractions
2 Visitors and Organisation
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Attractions

[edit] Livestock

Livestock exhibited include sheep, cattle, goats, horses, ponies, donkeys, and poultry (although there was no poultry section in the 2006 show, reflecting concerns about a Scottish outbreak of bird flu).

One of the sights of the show is Heavy Horse Turnouts and for the first time ever, in 2006 Ingliston saw the attendance of all UK heavy horse breeds. Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons and — first time visitors to Scotland — two teams of Suffolk Punches travelling from Norfolk and Suffolk.

The show's most prestigious livestock honour, the Queen's Cup, rotates between the champions of the various types of livestock — in 2006 it was awarded to the best animal in the 162 strong goat section.

[edit] Exhibition

The Royal Highland Show is a showcase for Rural and Agricultural products and produce. There are large exhibits of agricultural machinery and supplies, equine supplies and outdoor sporting goods. A wide variety of rural, agricultural and environmental associations set up stall to promote themselves.

The Highland Showground's exhibition halls provide indoor spaces for a shopping arena and a food and drink arena. Both areas are dominated by Scottish producers, but there is a significant presence from other parts of the United Kingdom and form further afield; for instance European wine makers, German salami makers etc. The food and drink arena offers considerable opportunity for taste-testing and has a demonstration kitchen offering visitors suggestions on home to prepare and serve the products on offer. The shopping areas are extended into the main showground by market-style stalls. Other businesses, including banks, supermarkets and food producers have their own arenas to promote their commitment to farming, food production and agriculture.

[edit] Competition

Outside of the exhibition halls and livestock rings, there are a wide range of competitive and display events, including international sheep shearing, show jumping, driving, tug-of-war, dog obedience trials, falconry, farriery and other rural pursuits.

[edit] Music

2007 will see the RHS's two bandstands play host to fifteen different bands and musical groups, including the Band of HM Royal Marines and numerous bands of Pipes and Drums.

[edit] Visitors and Organisation

The Royal Highland has a history of attracting VIP visitors, including HM Queen Elizabeth II, and various politicians. Visitors to the 2006 show included HRH The Duke of Gloucester, and one of the most powerful women in Europe, European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel.

The show is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, an organisation of over 13,000 members. The 2007 Show will be held between 21-24 June.

[edit] References

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