The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
£750k to help bridge the gap with showcase
Royal Highland Show organisers have received £750,000 in Scottish Government support to host a June livestreamed showcase of agriculture and rural life.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society (RHASS), which organises the four-day event, was forced to cancel this year’s due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The show had been scheduled to take place from June 17-20 at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, but a behind-closed-doors event will now take place the week beginning June 14.
RHASS said the showcase, which will be live-streamed, will feature the best in livestock judging, equestrian, food and drink, and rural skills.
It will be backed by £750,000 in funding from the Scottish Government – funding RHASS says will protect the long-term sustainability of the Royal Highland Show.
“This year’s showcase will give us a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap between a no-show year in 2020 and the 180th Royal Highland Show celebration in 2022 – the bicentennial anniversary of our very first show,” said RHASS chairman Bill Gray.
“The support we have garnered from the wider agricultural sector, coupled with Scottish Government funding, reinforces the importance of the Royal Highland Show.
“This showcase will enable us to shine a light on our farmers and rural communities, who have been steadfast throughout this pandemic and allow us the opportunity to promote rural Scotland to a wider audience.”
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing welcomed the plans and said: “While it’s a shame that we cannot meet in the usual way, I am looking forward to being able to recognise the hard work of the entrants and celebrate their achievements at the showcase, albeit via livestream.
“It’s key that we all continue to follow the rules in order to fight the virus. I’m hopeful we’ll continue to see progress and that next year we will be able to mark the 180th Royal Highland Show and bicentennial anniversary of the first show together in person.”
Nina Clancy, chief executive of rural charity RSABI, said the event would bring a “huge boost to morale”.
RHASS said more details about the event will be released in the coming days.