Royal Highland Show
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The Royal Highland Show is Scotland's annual farming and countryside showcase.
It is held annually at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston over the second last weekend in June (Thursday - Sunday), the event attracts over 1,000 exhibitors, 4,500 head of livestock, and an annual 150,000 visitors - making it Scotland's most popular summer event[citation needed] and the premier fixture in Scotland's farming calendar. Exhibitors compete for the prestige of winning not only a prize ticket, but also for prize money and trophies worth over £1 million.
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[edit] Livestock
Livestock exhibited include sheep, cattle, goats, horses, ponies, donkeys, and poultry (although there was no poultry section in the 2006 show, reflecting concerns about a Scottish outbreak of bird flu).
One of the sights of the show is Heavy Horse Turnouts and for the first time ever, in 2006 Ingliston saw the attendance of all UK heavy horse breeds. Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons and — first time visitors to Scotland — two teams of Suffolk Punches travelling from Norfolk and Suffolk.
The show's most prestigious livestock honour, the Queen's Cup, rotates between the champions of the various types of livestock — in 2006 it was awarded to the best animal in the 162 strong goat section.
[edit] Other exhibits
Outside the livestock rings, competition can be found elsewhere in the showground, including International sheep shearing, handicrafts, farriery and other rural pursuits.
[edit] Visitors and Organisation
The Royal Highland has a history of attracting VIP visitors, including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and various politicians. Visitors to the 2006 show included HRH The Duke of Gloucester, and one of the most powerful women in Europe, European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel.
The show is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, an organisation of over 13,000 members. The 2007 Show will be held between 21-24 June.
