A RECORD breaking 190,000 visitors flocked to the 177th Royal Highland Show over its four days, testament to the enduring appeal of Scotland's biggest celebration of farming, food and rural life.

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's event contributes an estimated £50 million to the Scottish economy, with no less than £8 million of that coming through actual spending at the show, whether that be on farm machinery, gardening equipment, clothing, food, or art and crafts.

Aside from commerce, the show was once again important on a political level, attracting heavyweights like Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, UK Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove, Scottish Secretary of State David Mundell, Scottish Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing, Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson, her Scottish Liberal Democrat counterpart Willie Rennie and MEP George Lyon.

This year's Highland saw the highest entries of sheep for over a decade (2000), 1100 cattle and a record breaking 408 heavy horse entries. It also hosted the Aberdeen Angus World Forum, which returned to the UK after 40 years.

The event's food showcase, Scotland's Larder Live, featured 120 of the finest food and drink exhibitors from across Scotland and the UK, and staged the inaugural Scottish bread championships alongside the national cheese, butter and ice cream championships. Award-winning chefs demonstrating in the cookery theatre included Kilted Chef Craig Wilson, Andrew Whitley of Bread Matters and Edinburgh's Paul Wedgwood.

For the first time, the Oxford Farming Conference brought its Oxford Union debate to Ingliston to discuss the proposition ‘this house believes UK agriculture will thrive outwith the European Union'. NFU Scotland also unveiled its Change discussion document looking at agricultural policy for Scotland post-Brexit.

With culture very much in evidence, organisers introduced for the first time a Poet in Residence, which saw the current Poet Laureate of Glasgow, Jim Carruth, recite his rural inspired poetry around the showground. The show was also the chosen venue for the announcement of Team GB's Winter Olympic curling team for the 2018 games in PyeongChang, South Korea, with farming heritage synonymous with curling with team members combining their curling careers with running their family farms.

The Royal Highland Education Trust, the educational arm of RHASS, had a successful Show with over 7160 children visiting on Thursday and Friday. This year also saw the relaunch of the 'Become a Supporter of RHET' fundraising drive with money raised helping to increase food literacy amongst school children and enhance the link between producers and consumers of the future.

The Aberdeenshire initiative, which was led by Lord Aberdeen and supported by the presidential team, showcased the area's outstanding food and tourism in the "Aberdeenshire Village", with over 30 businesses offering a wide range of the region's food and drink, as well as art and crafts.

Commenting on the success of the 177th Show RHASS chief executive Alan Laidlaw said: "This year's Show has been a huge success which is in no small part due to the support we receive from volunteers, exhibitors and the public. It has been an inspiring four days soaking up a great atmosphere and seeing everyone getting so much out of the experience whether it is exhibiting livestock, tucking into great food or exploring new things in the RHET Discovery Centre. Roll on next year!"

Malcolm Buchanan, chairman of chief sponsor the Royal Bank of Scotland's Scottish board, said: "This year's Royal Highland Show has showcased the positive impact Scotland's agriculture sector makes to the country and given us all a chance to see at first hand the people and businesses who help make our industry such a respected institution. RBS has supported the show since 1981 and once again it has proved to be a fantastic spectacle."

Final attendance figures for the 2017 show (alongside their 2016 equivalents), were – Thursday 42,934 (42,495); Friday 48,553 (48,941); Saturday 55,725 (54,617); and Sunday 42,788 (42,757).