The Virtual Highland 2020 from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) took place on 18-21 June and reached over 130 thousand people via social media. The initiative was aimed at bringing the activities QMS usually host at the Royal Highland Show, online.

Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork were showcased with a cook-along from Gary Maclean and cooking demonstrations from chefs Lady Claire Macdonald, Jak O’Donnell and Daniela Forbes.

As part of the Virtual Highland, QMS held a Q&A with Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy. Rosanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform also addressed the industry in a short video.

Alan Clarke, QMS Chief Executive and Kate Rowell, QMS Chair updated followers on the work that QMS have been doing over the past few months and QMS future plans to promote, protect, support and develop the red meat industry.

On the Friday, people’s competitive sides were out as they took part in the Royal Highland Show themed quiz

hosted alongside the Scottish Association of Young Farmers(SAYFC). Over 70 participants submitted their answers in a bid to win the fantastic prize of a £100 Scotch Beef Club voucher, a Tarbert Foods luxury hamper and a pair of tickets to next year’s Royal Highland Show.

Two teams of young farmers proved they could handle the heat with an online cook-off on Sunday. The sibling pair of Murray and Penny Stephen from Turiff JAC, emerged as the overall winner with 227 votes. Close behind was the other team from East Fife JAC comprised of Ally and Lianne Brunton.

Lesley Cameron, Director of Marketing and Communications with Quality Meat Scotland, said: “It was great to see people get involved by watching our cooking demonstrations, voting in our young farmers cook-off and taking part in our Royal Highland Show themed quiz

Whilst the virtual show cannot replace our presence at the Royal Highland Show from a social aspect, we hope our activities brought some family fun to the comfort of people’s homes. We look forward to welcoming you all back on our stand next year”.

For more information on the virtual Royal Highland Show activities and links to our videos, visit the QMS Facebook page orwww.qmscotland.co.uk.