Cancellation of Highland Show is ‘massive blow’

Organisers had ‘no alternative’ but to fall in line with government’s restrictions

Scotland’s farming industry was dealt a massive blow yesterday with the inevitable cancellation of June’s Royal Highland Show.

As widely expected, the organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), announced they had no alternative but to fall in line with the government’s Covid-19 restrictions and pull the plug on the 2020 event.

However the moves will have a massive financial, social and morale impact on the industry.

RHASS chairman Bill Gray described his “regret and huge personal disappointment” at having to make the announcement, and called on everyone involved in the show to support one another to weather the current coronavirus storm.

He added: “The show is Scotland’s largest outdoor event, attracting up to 200,000 people each year, and is the premier showcase for the food, farming and rural industry. Plans for the 180th show are at an advanced stage but, given recent and ongoing developments, the directors and I have taken the only course of action open to us.”

“Thankfully, the sector is nothing but resilient and while this will no doubt test us, I am confident that some good will come from what is a bleak and worrying time for us all.”

RHASS will be in touch with exhibitors and sponsors over the coming weeks and ticket holders are advised to contact the show’s ticketing partner,

Ticketmaster, for a full refund. Chief executive Alan Laidlaw warned tough financial times lie ahead for RHASS, but assured the industry that, with the backing of members and sector partners, the organisation will recover.

The National Beef Association also announced that the Beef Expo 2020, which was due to take place in Darlington on May 28, has been postponed until later in the summer.

The show is Scotland’s largest outdoor event, attracting up to 200,000 people each year.