If you are thinking of going to the Highland Show out at Ingliston, but are a bit fearful of the bad weather, then there are two things you can do. One is to take the Lothian Buses service 98 from St Andrew Square all the way to the show, and the other is dress for the worst weather and then have a good time. The reason you may wish to take the bus is really for convenience, although there is space out there for 20,000 vehicles.
There is so much to see that it is difficult to know where to start. The Food Hall is a great place to shelter from the rain, full of goodies of all kinds, either to eat for your lunch or to bring home again. There are craft tents where you will find the ideal gift for just about anyone, from jewellery to paintings, mugs to wooden bowls made with wonderful skill.
This is the Greatest Show on Earth. Over the last three years the attendance figures have crept up to over 182,000, and people come from near and far to see what makes the agricultural world tick.
However we had some problems knowing what the correct time was when we were at the show… Johnny Watson provided the clock at the side of the arena some years back, but quite honestly it was more confusing than informative for anyone looking at it this year. Clearly someone needs to get inside and give it a bit of a service!
But it is in fact the animals who steal the show. In spite of the rain the sheep, cattle and horses were all spruced up and looking wonderful. Months, if not years, of planning have gone into their appearance at the Highland Show and some of them are taking home the silver.
There are 1500 sheep, 2000 horses, at least 100 goats and about 500 poultry, and there will be around £50,000 handed over to horse riders at the show in prize money.
This is a show for people of all ages, and there are people of all nationalities visiting too. his year, delegates to the World Charolais Conference will be attending. It is reckoned to have an economic benefit of around £70million.
Show Opening Times and Ticket Prices:Thursday: 07.00 – 20.00. Friday and Saturday: 08.00 – 20.00. Sunday: 08.00 – 18.30. Admission price on all four days is £25 with concessions at £20 available for senior citizens and students. All children under 16 accompanied by an adult go free. There are “early bird” discounts available at £22 and £18. Car parking is £8 per day. For “early bird” tickets, visit the website www.royalhighlandshow.org
And on Friday this is a sample of what you might expect to see:-
- 8.00 Farriery Competitions – Forge Ave 13
- 10.30 Connemara Ponies In-Hand – Ring 5
- 11.20 Elite Falconry Display – birds of prey in-flight – Countryside Area
- 11.00 Pole Climbing up 90’ poles – Forestry Area
- 1.00 Bobbin Lace Czech Style – Handcrafts Pavilion
- 1.00 Fashion Show – I Love Wool
- 3.00 Live music – East Stage
- 4.00 Kids cooking – RHET Discovery Centre – all day
- 4.30 A Celebration of East Lothian Food & Drink with Wendy Barrie
- 5.15 Heavy horse turnout
- 6.00 West Stage. Take the floor is BBC Radio Scotland’s long running Scottish Dance music programme appearing at the Highland Show for the very first time. Transmitted at 7.05pm on Saturday nights and again on Sunday’s at 1.05pm presented by Robbie Shepherd Guests are: John Carmichael Ceilidh Band, Piper Lorne MacDougall with Ross Kennedy on Bouzouki and Adam Brown on hodran, Guitarist and vocalist – Jim Malcolm
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Brilliant collection of images. Weather? What weather!
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