Governance reforms aim to secure Highland Show’s future
© Muckle Media PR agency The Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s premier agricultural event, attracted a record 220,000 visitors in 2024, generating £3.3m in ticket sales and solidifying its place as a key part of rural life and RHASS’s fundraising efforts.
To ensure the event’s long-term success and future proof the organisation, Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) members have overwhelmingly approved significant governance reforms aimed at improving transparency, modernising operations, and strengthening oversight.
At the 2025 AGM on Wednesday 30 April at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, 99.55% of members voted in favour of the changes, well above the required 75% threshold.
See also: Bluetongue restrictions could put dampener on agricultural show season
The new governance framework, which will take effect from 16 July 2025, will see a new structure with three strands:
- RHASS Council of Trustees: A 14-member board, including at least four independent trustees, responsible for overseeing RHASS strategy, finances, and charitable objectives.
- RHASS RHS directors: Up to 54 directors focused on the development and delivery of the Royal Highland Show, maintaining the current election and appointment processes.
- Highland Centre Ltd (HCL) directors: An eight-member board, comprising four RHS Directors and four externally recruited independent directors, tasked with managing HCL’s commercial and property interests.
RHASS reported a total income of £13,59m for 2024 – a 15% increase on the previous year – reflecting strong performance across its commercial and charitable activities.
Expenditure totalled £15.38m, resulting in a reduced deficit of £1.7m, down from £3.5m in 2023.
The organisation is now targeting a breakeven position for the 2025 financial year through continued strategic cost management and investment in long-term infrastructure.
James Logan © Muckle Media PR agency
The governance overhaul supports RHASS’s five-year strategy aimed at stabilising finances, increasing efficiency, and safeguarding the future of the Royal Highland Show – ensuring it continues to champion Scottish agriculture and engage new audiences for generations to come.
The new structure is also designed to support the incoming RHASS chief executive, Alex Paterson, who is set to begin on 14 May 2025.
Looking ahead, the Royal Highland Show remains central to RHASS’s fundraising efforts.
Plans for the 2025 show, which runs over four days from 19-22 June, include an expanded family programme and the return of the Royal Highland Hoolie, aiming to broaden audience engagement and enhance income diversification.
RHASS will also be seeking to drive growth through the Highland Centre Ltd, with a focus on hosting world-class events, working with music festival promoters and corporate exhibitors.
RHASS chairman James Logan said: “We are at a pivotal chapter of RHASS’s wonderfully rich history and we’re very much looking forward to continuing to drive forward the ambitions of our great sector together with our members.”
Tickets for the Royal Highland Show can be purchased at royalhighlandshow.seetickets.com.