Royal Highland Show
Encyclopedia
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 200,000 visitors - making it Scotland's most popular summer event and the premier fixture in Scotland's farming calendar. It generates over £200 million in business. Exhibitors compete for the prestige of winning not only a prize ticket, but also for prize money and trophies worth over £1 million.
It is the UK's largest agricultural event and the longest lasting one sponsored by new holland .
In 1960 ingliston
site become the permanent home of the show opening on the 21st June 1960. The move to a perment location has help the show develop beyond its original remit to become celebration of Scottish food, countryside and its farming.
Orientally the show operated Sunday to Wednesday, but was changed to Thursday to Sunday setting, with Livestock compertions being held on the Thursday and Friday.
During the 1948 show held at Inverness, the Royal title was bestowed on to the event by King George VI.
There was no show during 2001 because of the foot and mouth crisis.
In 2010, it reached the landmark anniversary of the 50th year of the show to be held in show ingliston
and also the 170th show to be staged.
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
, Percheron
s and — first time visitors to Scotland — two teams of Suffolk Punch
es 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.
and supplies, equine supplies and outdoor sporting goods. A wide variety of rural, agricultural and environmental associations set up stall to promote themselves.
The Highland Showground's exhibition halls provide indoor spaces for a shopping arena and a food and drink arena. Both areas are dominated by Scottish producers, but there is a significant presence from other parts of the United Kingdom and form further afield; for instance European wine makers, German salami makers etc. The food and drink arena offers considerable opportunity for taste-testing and has a demonstration kitchen offering visitors suggestions on home to prepare and serve the products on offer. The shopping areas are extended into the main showground by market-style stalls. Other businesses, including banks, supermarkets and food producers have their own arenas to promote their commitment to farming, food production and agriculture.
Albert Bartlett Rooster potatoes are perhaps one of the highlights of the show, with a large stand offering lots of samples and free activities for all the family.
, show jumping
, driving
, tug-of-war, dog obedience trials, falconry
, farrier
y and other rural pursuits.
and numerous bands of Pipes and Drums. In 2010, played host to over 50 different bands and musical groups, including school and rock bands.
The show is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
, an organisation of over 13,000 members. The 2010 Show was held between 24-27 June, with the 2011 event being lined up for 23-26 June.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's annual farming and countryside showcase.
It is held annually at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston
Ingliston
Ingliston is an area in the west of Edinburgh, Scotland.It is south of Edinburgh Airport and home to the Royal Highland Showground.From 1965 to 1992 motor racing took place at Ingliston Motor Racing circuit, which was located within the Royal Highland Showground.From 1973 to 2005, Ingliston held a...
over the second-last weekend in June (Thursday - Sunday), the event attracts over 1,000 exhibitors, 4,500 head of livestock, and an annual 200,000 visitors - making it Scotland's most popular summer event and the premier fixture in Scotland's farming calendar. It generates over £200 million in business. Exhibitors compete for the prestige of winning not only a prize ticket, but also for prize money and trophies worth over £1 million.
It is the UK's largest agricultural event and the longest lasting one sponsored by new holland .
History
The show first started in 1822, and between that time and 1959 the show moved around towns and cities of Scotland.In 1960 ingliston
Ingliston
Ingliston is an area in the west of Edinburgh, Scotland.It is south of Edinburgh Airport and home to the Royal Highland Showground.From 1965 to 1992 motor racing took place at Ingliston Motor Racing circuit, which was located within the Royal Highland Showground.From 1973 to 2005, Ingliston held a...
site become the permanent home of the show opening on the 21st June 1960. The move to a perment location has help the show develop beyond its original remit to become celebration of Scottish food, countryside and its farming.
Orientally the show operated Sunday to Wednesday, but was changed to Thursday to Sunday setting, with Livestock compertions being held on the Thursday and Friday.
During the 1948 show held at Inverness, the Royal title was bestowed on to the event by King George VI.
There was no show during 2001 because of the foot and mouth crisis.
In 2010, it reached the landmark anniversary of the 50th year of the show to be held in show ingliston
Ingliston
Ingliston is an area in the west of Edinburgh, Scotland.It is south of Edinburgh Airport and home to the Royal Highland Showground.From 1965 to 1992 motor racing took place at Ingliston Motor Racing circuit, which was located within the Royal Highland Showground.From 1973 to 2005, Ingliston held a...
and also the 170th show to be staged.
Livestock
LivestockLivestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
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
H5N1
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as "bird flu", A or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the influenza A virus which can cause illness in humans and many other animal species...
).
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
Clydesdale (breed)
The Clydesdale is a breed of draught horse derived from the farm horses of Clydesdale, Scotland, and named after that region. Although originally one of the smaller breeds of draught horses, it is now a tall breed. Often bay in colour, they show significant white markings due to the presence of...
, Shires
Shire horse
The Shire horse is a breed of draught horse or draft horse . The breed comes in many colours, including black, bay and grey. They are a tall breed, with mares standing and over and stallions standing and over. The breed has an enormous capacity for weight pulling, and Shires have held the world...
, Percheron
Percheron
The Percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons are usually gray or black in color. They are well-muscled, and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Although their exact origins are unknown, the ancestors of the breed were...
s and — first time visitors to Scotland — two teams of Suffolk Punch
Suffolk Punch
The Suffolk Punch, also historically known as the Suffolk Horse or Suffolk Sorrel, is an English breed of draught horse. The breed takes the first part of its name from the county of Suffolk in East Anglia, and the name "Punch" from its solid appearance and strength...
es 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.
Exhibition
The Royal Highland Show is a showcase for Rural and Agricultural products and produce. There are large exhibits of agricultural machineryAgricultural machinery
Agricultural machinery is machinery used in the operation of an agricultural area or farm.-Hand tools:The first person to turn from the hunting and gathering lifestyle to farming probably did so by using his bare hands, and perhaps some sticks or stones. Tools such as knives, scythes, and wooden...
and supplies, equine supplies and outdoor sporting goods. A wide variety of rural, agricultural and environmental associations set up stall to promote themselves.
The Highland Showground's exhibition halls provide indoor spaces for a shopping arena and a food and drink arena. Both areas are dominated by Scottish producers, but there is a significant presence from other parts of the United Kingdom and form further afield; for instance European wine makers, German salami makers etc. The food and drink arena offers considerable opportunity for taste-testing and has a demonstration kitchen offering visitors suggestions on home to prepare and serve the products on offer. The shopping areas are extended into the main showground by market-style stalls. Other businesses, including banks, supermarkets and food producers have their own arenas to promote their commitment to farming, food production and agriculture.
Albert Bartlett Rooster potatoes are perhaps one of the highlights of the show, with a large stand offering lots of samples and free activities for all the family.
- REDIRECT http://www.albert-bartlett.com/
Competition
Outside of the exhibition halls and livestock rings, there are a wide range of competitive and display events, including international sheep shearingSheep shearing
Sheep shearing, shearing or clipping is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year...
, show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, driving
Combined driving
Combined driving also known as Horse Driving Trials is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. In this discipline the driver sits on a vehicle drawn by a single horse, a pair or a team of four. The sport has three phases: Dressage, Cross-country Marathon and Obstacle Cone Driving and is...
, tug-of-war, dog obedience trials, falconry
Falconry
Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
, farrier
Farrier
A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
y and other rural pursuits.
Music
In 2007, the RHS's two bandstands played host to fifteen different bands and musical groups, including the Band of HM Royal MarinesRoyal Marines Band Service
The Royal Marines Band Service is the musical wing of the Royal Navy. It currently consists of five Bands and its headquarters is the Royal Marines School of Music at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth dockyard.-History:...
and numerous bands of Pipes and Drums. In 2010, played host to over 50 different bands and musical groups, including school and rock bands.
Visitors and Organisation
The Royal Highland has a history of attracting VIP visitors, including:- HMQueen Elizabeth II in 1960 for the Official opening of the new Ingliston site and again in 1984 for its 25th anniversary.
- HRH The Duke of Gloucester, in 2006. One of the most powerful women in Europe, European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel
- various politicians.
The show is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland was founded in Edinburgh in 1784 as the Highland Society of Edinburgh. The Society was formed 2 years after the repeal of the Dress Act of 1746, at a time when there was renewed interest in Highland culture.The Society is responsible for...
, an organisation of over 13,000 members. The 2010 Show was held between 24-27 June, with the 2011 event being lined up for 23-26 June.