Highland Show

Work gets under way on new underpass

Work has begun to build a new pedestrian underpass to the east of the main ring at the Royal Highland Showground.

Royal Highland Show organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), said the construction of the new underpass was part of a £1.6 million investment in facilities ahead of this year’s show.

The underpass, which is due for completion next month, will allow pedestrians to carry on moving around the show when livestock are entering and exiting the main ring as the livestock will cross over the top to ease congestion.

RHASS chairman Willie Gill said: “This underpass is yet another demonstration of the society’s commitment to sustaining the Royal Highland Show’s position as a worldclass event.

“By improving the flow of livestock and people though the showground, everyone’s experience is improved greatly.

“Fewer hold-ups mean there’s more time to enjoy our celebration of the best in farming, food and rural life.”

Other improvements being made as part of the £1.6m investment include the first phase of remodelling of the north car park.

This year around 20,000sq m of resurfacing and drainage has been carried out and a new improved layout complete with new roundabout and entrance has been created.

Further improvements to the car park will be made over the next two years.

RHASS has also confirmed plans to install full-site wifi and a hard-line fibre ring system which will enable internet connections to be installed anywhere on site and wifi to be accessed both indoors and outdoors.

The Lowland Hall foyer will also undergo a revamp with refurbishment of the west foyer, entrance and toilets.

The work, which is set to be completed by May, is part of a three-year project to modernise the hall.

Lastly, construction work on a brand-new members’ pavilion will begin immediately after this year’s show.

RHASS said: “The new multifunctional building, which will replace the existing MacRobert Pavilion, will cater for the species requirements of the Royal Highland Show while providing a year-round flexible mix of spaces that can be used for various functions throughout the year as part of the Royal Highland Centre’s portfolio of venues.”

Earlier this month RHASS unveiled plans to create “an environment that encourages less drinking”.

This year’s Royal Highland Show takes place on June 23-26.

Fewer holdups mean there’s more time to enjoy our celebration of the best in farming, food and rural life. WILLIE GILL

An artist’s impression of the underpass which should ease congestion at the Highland Show.