A RECORD number of 195,400 visitors flocked to the Royal Highland Show this weekend to soak up the very best of Scottish rural life.

A fantastic showcase for Scottish produce and livestock - the RHS attracts visitors from all corners of the globe and exhibitors from across the UK, to take part in Scotland’s biggest outdoor event.

Delivering an estimated £65 million in economic benefit to Scotland, the four-day event attracted not only the highest attendance in its 179 year history, but also senior politicians including the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and MP David Rutley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The educational arm of RHASS the Royal Highland Education Trust were celebrating their 20th year and chair George Lawrie led the livestock in the grand parade in the main ring on the Saturday afternoon in style, in his RHET tractor which has been visiting schools across the country. An estimated 30,000 children are expected to have visited over the four days.

A fantastic display of new activities in the main ring were one of the biggest attractions at this year’s show, which began on Friday night with a spectacular Clydesdale celebration and a re-enactment of The Borders Riding of the Marches. Following the Clydesdales was the ‘Shindig at the Show’ attracting over 300 participants in a world record attempt at the highest number of eightsome reels in any one area.

RHASS chairman Jimmy Warnock reflected on the importance of the show: “Thanks must be given to the volunteers, exhibitors and public who have again supported this event in their thousands – it all goes to ensuring the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland continues its charitable remit to support and showcase the best in food, farming and rural life.”

“The Shindig at the Show was a tremendous spectacle and although we didn’t quite reach our target, the seed has been sown and it will germinate so watch out for what we plan next year,” he continued. “There are not many organisations who can have that many people in one area at the one time – the buzz was amazing and the public were out in force to support and celebrate the best of Scottish culture.”

Chief Executive Alan Laidlaw expressed his gratitude to all of the team working behind the scenes to deliver the event: “We’ve got a really good team ethos and we’re all pulling from the same rope in the same direction and that makes me really proud. Over 1000 people are involved in delivering this event and we are regularly seeing around 190,000 visitors yearly – we are Scotland’s leading, biggest and best outdoor event.

“The weather has been kind which makes things easier and people are more relaxed and open to enjoy themselves and have important conversations about rural Scotland which we value so strongly,” he continued. “This event is about people understanding each other and the sector, whether that be finding more about where the food comes from and bridging the gap between producers and the public, but it is also about having those conversations about the challenges people are facing,” he concluded.