Improving ‘Scotland’s leading outdoor event’
Not satisfied with attracting almost 200,000 visi - tors to the four day Highland show, the organisers this week announced plans to both increase the footfall at the Ingliston site but also to provide a wider range of attractions for those coming through the gates to this year’s event.
The move comes after a period of major investment on the site adjacent to Edinburgh Airport. This has seen upgrades in the drainage after major flooding problems affected previous shows. To cope with modern demands, broadband access in the show field has also been improved; one fac - tor behind the increased demand for trade stand space at what is often described as Scotland’ s leading outdoor event.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society who run the show and the many other events on the Ingliston site are also midway through building a new members’ pavilion which will not be ready for this year’s show but will make its appearance at the 2020 event.
The organisers have, however, completed a major upgrade in the Lowland Hall refreshment area. RHASS chief executive Alan Laidlaw was confident this would increase the eating options for visitors not only at the show but at the many events now held at Ingliston throughout the year.
Chairman of the show, Jimmy Warnock was keen to highlight the entry of more than 5,500 head of livestock coming forward to be judged this year but also the fact that more young children than ever were planning to come to this year’s show.
“It is the 20 th year of RH ET( Royal Highland Educational Trust) and this organisation now plays an important role in educating young people on the importance of farming ,” he stated.
War no ck who must be about the most energetic chairman the Highland Society has had in its 200 year plus history was also very enthusiastic about a large scale ceilidh which will be held in the Main Ring on Friday night. This will start with an attempt at beating the world record number of people dancing an eight some reel with 40 sets of dancers being recruited to take par t in the record attempt.
This year as par t of the Clydesdale Celebration there will be more than 100 entries of this iconic breed which one hundred years ago provided almost all the horsepower in agriculture. These heavy horses will also take par t on a series of working demonstrations in the Main Ring.
Once again, the Highland Hall will be at maximum capacity housing just over 1,100 beef and dairy cattle. Upon the 2018 figure, the beef cattle class has a strong showing from native breeds including a 17 per cent increase in Highland Cattle (93) which features in this year’s marketing campaign.
Sheep entries have increased each year, with 2019 boasting at en-year high figure of 2,128.
andrew@andrewarbuckle.org