RHS preview: Preparing for the peak of the year

But this year's Highland peak may feel just a touch higher for Alan – because he will be in the saddle of the whole mammoth undertaking, leading the way for his first show as chief executive of the RHASS.

His appointment to the top job was announced at the start of June last year, but he didn't formally take over until the end of the summer of 2016, which allowed him to enjoy the show as a guest one last time, albeit from the perspective of a man aware that any problems he might spot would soon be his own.

Now, with barely a week to go to his inaugural show, Alan is, as my granny used to say, 'up to high doh': "I'm feeling every emotion — excitement, anticipation, nervousness – there are so many moving parts to this operation, so many threads to pull together to make it all work – but overwhelmingly, I'm just full of anticipation for a great show."

Alan's hope for a classic year is more than supported by all that's been going on in the lead up. There has been a huge amount of maintenance and improvement work successfully carried out on the showground; livestock entries are full to bursting, with several breed societies holding special events; and the show's increasingly slick promotional machine has been working its magic with the paying public, slathering trams, billboards and social media with this year's chosen Highland Show icon, an imposing Clydesdale horse.

So the crowds will come – but with regard to the infrastructure improvements, much may simply be noted by visitors as firmness underfoot, where loose ground and old concrete that previously bedevilled some entrance points and thoroughfares has been thoroughly improved with paving and tarmac.

Even further underfoot, new pipes and cables will carry an improved flow of water and electricity to wherever it is needed on the site. Vitally, where once stood rather tired examples of the sanitary arts, smart new toilets have appeared, and while the builders were in, they were set to improving facilities for the disabled and those visiting with young kids.

None of this is particularly glamorous or eye-catching, but Alan is content with that. The job is to bring the showground up to the higher standard now expected by both participants and visitors at large scale public events, and that process had to begin from the bottom.

"We used a really good team, who understood the show and its needs, to plan the works, and then the project team delivered that. We've done a huge amount of work in a pretty short time. Customers, whether that be trade stands, exhibitors or paying visitors, will recognise that, we hope – although, ironically, we also hope that no-one will notice everything that has been done," he said.

One thing that everyone will notice, however, is the MacRobert pavilion replacement, a state-of-the-art marquee structure mounted on the spot where the tired old building only recently had a fatal date with the wrecking ball.

"I think what we have come up with is really going to work for members, giving them a nice relaxing place with a great view of the main ring," said Alan. "I hope that people will come and enjoy it and see that it has been designed to be what they need it to be."

He added that the recent Gardening Scotland event had given the RHASS a chance to test its new infrastructure features, and give things as good a shake-down as could be mustered short of the actual Highland itself. Now, the finishing pre-Highland touches were the responsibility of Mother Nature herself: "Spring was dry – the lack of rainfall does not make growing grass easy, so that has been challenging with all the digging that's been done. But the rain of the last week has flushed it on and that has been welcome – so long as it knows when to stop."

With Ingliston's scene set, the middle of next week will see the first of its players take to the stage, as this year's 'phenomenal' livestock entry – 2031 animals in total – arrives on site to settle in ahead of the competition.

"It is very heartening that there has been such a strong entry," said Alan. "In times of uncertainty people might feel inclined to stop doing things, but clearly exhibitors still see the value of being here and telling their story and differentiating themselves from the pack."

At the two extremes of tradition and innovation, the livestock lines will incorporate special events from both the Aberdeen-Angus breed society, which is hosting the middle week of its 2017 World Forum around the Highland, and the Zwartbles breed society, which has made the RHS its National Show for the year, attracting a record 131 entries.

The A-A Forum in particular will bring an international dimension to Ingliston: "There are cattle farmers overseas who have had this show on their bucket list for a long time. Now is their chance.

"Once again, the Highland is Scotland's shop window, with the biggest collection of livestock in Europe in it!" declared Alan, who added that, in the show's current configuration, there was no room to comfortably accommodate any more.

"We try to get as many in as we can, but we are at capacity – what we don't want to do is cram in another dozen animals and take it over the line where it isn't comfortable for anyone. As much as you can always find an extra place at a well-set dinner table, no-one likes eating cheek and jowl, so you have to draw the line somewhere."

One species that increasingly flocks to the Highland is the political class, of all varieties, which has embraced the event as a chance to engage with the usually widespread rural constituency, gathered in one place and possibly in a better mood than they would be if accosted at the farmgate.

While this year's showgoers cannot expect – and indeed would not want – political fireworks to match last year's EU referendum result, the aftermath of the General Election and the imminent Brexit negotiations should still provide fertile ground for discussion at various formal events around the show, as well as informally wherever politically-aware souls gather.

"We are very lucky that major politicians want to engage with the industry at our event," said Alan. "I've bumped into all of Holyrood's Rural Affairs Committee on the showground, and ministers from both parliaments have in the past used the event as a platform to make major announcements.

"Now, with farming folk peering down the rabbit hole of Brexit wondering what is going to come out, I'd hope that we will provide a place where they can engage with their peers, industry leaders and MPs and MSPs, and maybe come away with a better understanding."

New on this year's schedule of talking-shop events is the first Scottish appearance of an Oxford Union debate, an agri-political fixture famed in equal measure for its expertise and humour, which will be happening in the marquee in front of the shearing shed on Thursday.

"This is a great coup for us," said Alan. "The Oxford Union has a reputation for very serious debates with a light-hearted side. It is very much about the audience getting involved and Oxford director Caroline Miller would dearly love for people to come along and make that happen."

But for the majority who have perhaps, had enough of politics for now, the Highland Show is simply set to deliver that incomparable feast of countryside, farming culture and good Scottish food that keeps them coming back year after year.

"True to our roots, we are at heart an agricultural show where the public can engage with where their food comes from," said Alan. "It's a sensory treat for them – walk in the gate and smell the food, smell the forge, hear the heavy hooves, while the kids dash off to admire the biggest tractor they've ever seen. That is the buzz we are happy to provide.

"In my previous life (in agri-banking) if I was having a difficult day engaging with customers on the stand, I'd pop into the RHET discovery centre and be reminded what it is all about, seeing the kids loving it all, and finding out about farming at the same time," he added.

"But even for older hands in the industry, who know full well what a cow or a tractor looks like, there's pleasures that they don't tire of – watching the interbreeds, knowing that the winners go down in history as the star of the year, or just chatting with friends they've not seen since the last Highland, taking a break from the routine at home.

"Whatever it is they come for, we wish everyone a good, safe, enjoyable show. Bring it on."