Royal Highland Show facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Highland Show |
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Cattle judging at the Royal Highland Show, 2010
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| Genre | Agriculture |
| Begins | June |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | Royal Highland Showground |
| Location(s) | Ingliston, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Established | 1822 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Next event | 19-22 June 2025 |
| Organised by | Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland |
| Sponsor | Royal Bank of Scotland |
The Royal Highland Show is the biggest yearly agricultural show in Scotland. An agricultural show is a big event where farmers and people from the countryside show off their best animals, crops, and skills. The show is put on by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
Every June, the show takes place at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, near Edinburgh. It's a huge event that attracts over 1,000 exhibitors and up to 190,000 visitors. You can see around 4,500 animals, from cows to chickens!
For Scotland's farmers, this is the most important event of the year. It brings in over £200 million for businesses. People who show their animals or products compete for prize money and trophies worth more than £1 million.
Contents
History of the Show
The first Royal Highland Show was held way back in 1822. It started in Canongate, Edinburgh, on the same spot where the Scottish Parliament building is today. For over 130 years, the show didn't have a permanent home. It traveled to different towns and cities across Scotland.
In 1960, the show finally settled at its current location in Ingliston. Having a permanent home allowed the show to grow. It became more than just a farming event. It is now a celebration of Scottish food, farming, and the countryside.
King George VI gave the show its Royal title in 1948 during the show in Inverness.
The show had to be cancelled in 2001 because of a serious animal illness called foot-and-mouth disease. This was done to protect the animals.
Important Anniversaries
In 2010, the show celebrated two big milestones. It was the 50th year the show was held at Ingliston and the 170th show overall. That year, almost 190,000 people attended, making it one of the most popular years ever.
The 175th show took place in 2015 and set a new attendance record with 188,449 visitors. That's almost 10,000 more people than the year before!
What to See and Do
The Royal Highland Show is packed with fun attractions and competitions for everyone.
Amazing Animals
A huge variety of livestock (farm animals) are on display. You can see thousands of animals, including sheep, cattle, goats, horses, ponies, donkeys, and poultry. In total, about 6,000 animals attend the show.
One of the most popular sights is the Heavy Horse Turnouts. These are teams of large, strong draft horses like Clydesdales and Shires pulling carts. In 2006, for the first time, all of the UK's heavy horse breeds were at the show together.
The most important prize for livestock is the Queen's Cup. Each year, it's awarded to the champion of a different animal category. For example, in 2006, the best goat won the cup.
At a typical show, you might find:
- 1,000 beef and dairy cattle from 20 different breeds
- 1,500 sheep
- 2,000 horses
- 100 goats
- Over 500 birds
Shopping and Exhibits
The show is a great place to see the latest in farming and country life. There are big displays of agricultural machinery, like tractors, and supplies for horses.
Inside the exhibition halls, you can find a huge shopping area and a food and drink hall. Most of the sellers are from Scotland, but you can also find products from all over Europe, like wine and salami. The food hall has a demonstration kitchen where chefs show you how to cook with the tasty products on offer.
Fun Competitions
Besides the animal judging, there are many other exciting events. You can watch international sheep shearing contests, show jumping with horses, and tug-of-war competitions.
There are also displays and trials for dog obedience, forestry skills, falconry (hunting with birds of prey), and farriery (making horseshoes).
Music and Entertainment
The show is filled with music from two bandstands. Over 50 different musical groups perform, including military bands like the band of HM Royal Marines and many traditional Scottish pipe and drum bands.
Famous Visitors
The Royal Highland Show is so important that it often has very important guests. Some of the most famous visitors include:
- Queen Elizabeth II: She visited many times, including in 1960 to open the Ingliston site, in 1984 for its 25th anniversary, and again in 1992 and 2009.
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: She attended the show in 1954 and 1964.
- Anne, Princess Royal: The Princess Royal visited in 2008 and 2015.
- Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester: He attended in 2006.
- Mariann Fischer-Boel: She was the European Agriculture Commissioner when she visited.
Gallery
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Terrier racing at the Royal Highland Show
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The Macrobert Pavilion at the Royal Highland Show
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Special buses take visitors to the Royal Highland Show
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A horse and rider jump over an obstacle shaped like the famous Forth Rail Bridge in 2018.
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An Exmoor pony named Dunkery Wigeon competing in a championship at the 2018 show.
