150,000 will pass through
150,000 will pass through
those gates
THIS year marks the 161st Royal Highland Show since the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland held the first in 1822.
About 150,000 visitors are expected to pass through the turnstiles this year during the four-day run from Thursday June 22 to Sunday June 25. The show has been held on the permanent site at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, since 1960, previously having moved venue around the country each year.
When it was founded in 1784, the RHASS had 128 members. The society was established "to promote the trade, agriculture, poetry and music of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland". Today, there are about 14,000 members and although the promotion of poetry and music seem to have diminished, the society now has a strong educational role promoting all aspects of Scottish rural life as well as running the show.
Princess Anne, president of the RHASS, will be at the show on the Thursday and Friday – her first visit since 1994 and the first Royal guest at the event since 1997.