
Five-week countdown to Royal Highland Show
Scotland's premier agricultural event is now just over five weeks away.
And to highlight the drive to get show-goers to use public transport to get to and from the event, two lambs, a Highland coo and her calf, and a miniature Shetland Pony took a trip on an Edinburgh tram.
RHS will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, over four days next month.
It starts on Thursday June 19, running through to the Sunday.
The annual event is focused on agriculture. But there's always plenty of food, drink, trade and lifestyle stands, and great entertainment to keep 220,000-plus visitors busy.
To mark the countdown to the show, lambs Hatton Morton and Hatton Maple, miniature Shetland pony Milday Ferregamo, and Highland coo and calf duo Siusan Ruadh 67th and Siusan 1st of Ar Leirsinn, hopped aboard a specially decorated tram.
The animals were joined by two-year-old Arthur Tennant and his mum and dad, Carol and David Tennant.
David, head of show for the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), said: 'As the UK's largest agricultural show and biggest fundraising event for RHASS, the week of the show sees the event site become the sixth-largest population centre in Scotland, bigger than Paisley and Dunfermline, with over 220,000 people expected to attend.
'With such big crowds anticipated, we would encourage visitors to utilise public transport as the quickest and easiest way to get to the event.'
Tickets for the show are selling quickly, David said.
He added: 'Our family activities will include lots of exciting additions, such as the Mini Rovers and Land Rover Experience in the Motor Zone, and the already popular BMX rider demonstrations and RHET Discovery Centre, which provides educational experiences for children to learn about everything from robotic milking to butter-making.'
Education and learning about agriculture and rural life for families remain at the heart of the show, which children 15 and under can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
This year's event includes an extended family offer on the Sunday, June 22nd, with more details to be revealed over the coming weeks.
David continued: 'Visitors can look forward to traditional livestock competitions and thrilling displays in the forestry arena which will include axe throwers, chainsaw carving, and pole climbers showcasing their impressive skills. The kids' zone will feature fun and interactive activities like live falconry, gundog displays, and hands-on crafts for younger visitors.
The Royal Highland Hoolie returns this year with an exciting lineup of music.
Edinburgh Trams head of service dlivery Sarah Singh said: 'While we won't be sending many trams out with a 'heilan coo' on board, the eye-catching wrap will certainly attract plenty of attention
''The Royal Highland Show is one of the highlights of our calendar – and we'll be busy during all four days to ensure customers can get to and from the event quickly and safely.
'As well as the extra trams running to the nearby Ingliston Park and Ride, additional staff will be on hand to direct visitors to the showground… and a free shuttle bus will also provide a link to the east gate.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit royalhighlandshow.org
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