A limited number of early bird discounted tickets to the 2024 Royal Highland Show were released at 6pm last night as the gates closed on this year’s event – which welcomed the world’s best sheep shearers amongst the 217,000 people who flocked to the show over the four days.
The eyes of the world were on Ingliston this year with over 140,000 views across 113 countries on the Show’s streaming platform, RHS TV, to watch show jumping, traditional skill displays, livestock judging and of course the excitement around the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championships.
And for those who are already planning a return to the Show next year, a limited number of Super Early Bird tickets for the 2024 Royal Highland Show (20th – 23rd June) will be released today via the Show’s website (royalhighlandshow.org), priced at just £30 with children 15 and under free to attend.
Celebrating the best of Scotland’s food, farming and rural life, high-profile figures attending included: HRH Anne, the Princess Royal; First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf; Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair, Mark Spencer; Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack; and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon.
26,500 children attended for free in line with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) charitable remit – this includes school visits organised by the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) and kids aged 15 and under free entry tickets.
Ian Georgeson Photography
Highlights for this year’s show included over 280 trophies, awarded to the over 5,000 cattle, sheep, horses, and goats competing. Including the Queen’s Cup that went to the Hanna family from Northern Ireland, a back-to-back winner for the first time.
The Flock to the Show campaign also concluded at the Show – after travelling the length and breadth of Scotland, the 38 decorated sculptures came together to form a trail around the Showground. The Flock will be auctioned off on 7th September, with all proceeds going towards the RHASS Bicentenary Fund, which supports projects in the rural sector dedicated to mental health, sustainability, succession, and women in agriculture.
Furthermore, respected industry accolades were awarded to agri-tech pioneers in the RHASS Technical Innovation Awards, sponsored by Hillhouse Group. Murray Machinery and Lely UK won Gold awards this year.
The Scottish Championships saw food and drink producers and craftspeople recognised for outstanding produce across competitions in Dairy, Honey, and Handcrafts categories – with St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Co and Graham’s the Family Dairy amongst the winners.
The Royal Highland Hoolie was a new addition to the evening entertainment schedule on the Friday and Saturday nights. Presented in partnership with Farmers Bash, the Hoolie saw country music legends like Skipinnish, Skerryvore and Derek Ryan perform to the 4500 strong crowds.
The Royal Highland Show is the flagship fundraising event for organisers the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).
RHASS Head of Show, David Tennant, commented: “As we wrap up another phenomenal Royal Highland Show, we are delighted to have welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors pass through the gates.
“The strong demand is testament to the fact that the Show has major appeal way beyond the loyal farming community – anyone and everyone can find something to enjoy, no matter your interest.
“Our thanks go out to the hundreds of staff who make this possible, and the RHASS Directors who give up their time year-round to make this incredible event possible. And, if you had a great day out this year, the good news is you can grab a bargain with the Super Early Bird tickets for 2024, on sale now.”
Sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, next year’s Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, 20-23 June 2024.
Families enjoyed complimentary ice cream, face painting and origami rooster folding lessons at the Royal Highland Show this weekend at Royal Bank of Scotland’s Ingliston branch.
Royal Bank of Scotland, which sponsors the Royal Highland Show, was on hand to bring the fun and advise families of the support offered by Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest Rooster Money – an innovative pocket money app that allows parents to manage their children’s allowance via their phones while instilling positive money management habits.
NatWest Rooster Money’s recent Pocket Money Index – a study of over 125,000 children – reveals that kids’ average earnings have increased by 11% since 2022, outpacing inflation for the same period.
However, instead of sticking to regular recurring payments, parents are now more often offering one-off payments and using special occasions and good behaviour as opportunities for handing out extra pocket money.
For further information and to purchase tickets please visit royalhighlandshow.org.