THE ROYAL Highland Show has kicked off in Ingliston, Edinburgh, with farmers, tourists and locals flocking to the showground to enjoy the showcase of everything Scottish farming has to offer.
Visitors can choose from livestock showcases, cookery demonstrations, fairground rides, and horse riding championships at the most important agricultural show in Scotland.
The show is also an important date for traders and stallholders, with an estimated £250m in business expected to be conducted from today (18 June) until Sunday (21 June), when the show concludes.
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, kicked off proceedings in the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) tent, where he announced new support for farming, and a new Public Sector Food Procurement Taskforce, which they say will help identify and address barriers for the public sector to source more locally produced food.
He was even happy to miss Scotland’s second World Cup group stage game against Morocco to attend the show:
“The most common point that has been said to me as I have been walking through the show this morning is, ‘why didn’t you decide to stay in Boston for the Morocco game on Friday night?’
“To which I said, ‘well how on earth could I have done that I would have missed the Royal Highland and Agricultural Show.’
“So, I have come specially to see you all this morning. But I have every intention of returning should Scotland get out of the group stages and further into the competition.”
Thursday also featured a variety of cattle competitions in the Highland Hall, with judges crowning the best Charolais, Shorthorn, Hereford, Highland, Simmental, and Aberdeen Angus cows in show.
Sheep were also under the spotlight, while horses were judged in the main ring.
Connoisseurs of livestock can still catch the overall beef competition at 11:30am on Saturday, while the Overall Sheep Interbreed competition takes place at 10:30am on the same day.
In the lumberjack area, chainsaw carving, mountain biking, and pole climbing showcases will take place every day of the show.
The Reeling, a festival featuring some of the biggest names in Scottish trad music, partnered with the Highland Show this year, and will take place on the Saturday, with gates opening at 3pm.
Breabach, Dlù, Dougie MacLean, Elephant Sessions, Kinnaris Q, Skipinnish will all perform. Tickets to The Reeling, however, have to be purchased separately from Highland Show tickets.
The weather at the show held up in the morning, but rain began to hit in the afternoon, and a steady downpour is expected over the weekend.
James Logan, Chairman of the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), which organises the show, said: “Each year, the Show brings together the very best of farming, food and rural life, and it remains one of the most important dates in Scotland’s calendar.
“Whether you are visiting for the livestock competitions, the food and drink, the shopping, the entertainment or simply the atmosphere, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”
This year’s instalment will be Logan’s final as Chairman, but he says he will continue to support the show as a trustee.
He added: “The Royal Highland Show remains at the heart of everything we do. As the largest fundraising event for RHASS, the Show plays a vital role in supporting our charitable work throughout the year helping us invest in the future of Scottish agriculture.
“This year’s show once again highlights the quality, resilience and innovation that exists across the rural sector.
“Alongside world-class livestock and equestrian competition, visitors can enjoy outstanding Scottish food and drink, family entertainment, shopping, music and much more across the Showground.
“I would like to thank our members, stewards, exhibitors, competitors, staff, sponsors and partners whose hard work and dedication make the Royal Highland Show possible each year.
“Their passion is what continues to make this one of the most respected and well-loved events in the country.
“Whether you are returning as a long-standing supporter or visiting for the first time, thank you for being part of the Royal Highland Show 2026. I hope you have a fantastic day with us at Ingliston.”
Tickets must be purchased in advance from the RHASS website.
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