The Royal Highland Show is Scotland’s largest agricultural show, held annually at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh. The Royal Highland Show showcases the best of Scotland’s rural life, featuring food, farming and equestrian events, hosting over 200,000 visitors each year. The show has been running for over 200 years and has become a celebration of Scotland’s countryside and farming, attracting VIP visitors including Princess Anne and Queen Elizabeth II who visited the show on four occasions.
The show is popular with a varied audience and has something for everyone from shopping, competitions, food and drink tastings and live music throughout the weekend. It is an important fixture in the annual calendar of Scotland’s agricultural community, with exhibitors hoping to win the prestigious trophies and prize money worth over £1 million collectively.
The show takes place in June each year. This article will look at some of the events that you will experience when attending the Royal Highland Show.
The Grand Parade
The show’s most popular event, taking place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This event showcases the prize-winning cattle from each day, parading across the Main Ring and affords spectators the opportunity to see many rare and unique cattle breeds all in one place.
Scotland’s Larder
This one is for the foodies! Scotland’s Larder offers the opportunity to taste the best Scotland has to offer in terms of local produce and sample premium food and drink offerings from across the UK. New for 2023, you can visit the “Highland Bothy” and try the most delicious tea, coffee and baked goods.
Equestrian Events
The equestrian events take place all weekend with some of the most experienced and top-class horses and riders from across the UK. From high energy action in the show jumping to watching retrained racehorses strut their stuff in the showing ring, there is never a dull moment with the equestrians.
Royal Highland Hoolie
The Royal Highland Hoolie is a celebration of Scottish country and folk music, presented by popular country music event, “Farmer’s Bash”. It takes place on the Friday and Saturday evenings and features world class traditional Scottish and Irish country bands.
Sheep Shearing
Another very popular event at the show. Visitors love watching the skill, speed and accuracy of the sheep shearers who compete to win the prestigious Golden Shears World Championship – a competition where at least 30 countries compete to showcase the art of sheep shearing and win the title.
These are just a few of the events taking place over the ultimate weekend in Scotland’s rural calendar. The Royal Highland Show takes place from 22nd – 25th June 2023 and offers a fun day out for all the family, celebrating Scotland’s finest agricultural displays.
Visiting the Royal Highland Show and planning a weekend in the capital? Enhance your trip with our Edinburgh Pub Tour experience for a taste of the city’s vibrant nightlife and history.
