A First World War inspired allotment project run by the Oatridge Campus of Scotland’s Rural College will be going on display at this year’s show.
The allotment, which offers a fascinating glimpse of how people gardened a hundred years ago as part of the Dig for Victory campaign, will be a key part of the Countryside Cottage demonstration area.
The WW1 allotment project was originally funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014 to help students develop their horticultural skills by demonstrating some of the varieties and gardening methods use during those turbulent times. 
All the staples of the Scottish diet, so vital in 1914, are grown on the allotment – including heritage varieties of potatoes, turnips, carrots, radishes, beans, Brussels sprouts, and cabbages.
The allotment will be used to underline the crucial role food production played during the WW1 campaign. Information boards will highlight that in 1914 British farmers were only producing 40% of what was being eaten in the country – with the rest being imported from every corner of the British Empire. On the other hand, it was estimated that Germany was 90% self sufficient.
The replica of the allotment will be part of a collaborative project which has the theme: ‘Work and war horses 1914 – 1918’ which aims to highlight the impact of WW1 and how this played its part in changing horse drawn agriculture forever.
SRUC students and staff from the equine, agricultural, and horticultural departments are involved in the project.
George Gilchrist, the horticulture lecturer, said: “At Oatridge our horticultural certificate students grow a wide range of modern varieties of vegetables. 
"As part of their course work, this collaborative project with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland provides our students with the opportunity to learn more about the history of the vital food production during WW1.
“It also offers the opportunity to compare the developments of 100 years of plant breeding and the improvements in vegetable growing techniques.”