The Scottish National Fatstock Club, organisers of the Scottish Winter Fair, are set to have preliminary discussions with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, organisers of the Royal Highland Show, with the intention of jointly staging a Scottish Winter Fair in November.
Following an approach by the Fat Stock Club to the Society, two of the RHASS' directors have been charged with taking the idea forward with club officials.
Previous attempts to merge Scotlands two major winter events, the Winter Fair and Agriscot, have failed and while these talks do not involve the management of Agriscot at this stage, they have been informed of the situation.
RHASS chief executive Ray Jones said the initial idea was for an event appealing to the farming community and the general public, featuring livestock, food and other attractions.
While nothing has been said officially, suspicions are likely to be that a particularly lacklustre attendance at last year's Winter Fair is one of the reasons behind the initiation of talks.