The 2021 Royal Highland Show will go ahead, according to the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).
The show will return to Ingliston showground between June 17th-20th following the cancellation of the 2020 event.
Organisers sought £2 million in donations from the public due to a backdrop of a £6m reduction in its 2020 income due to COVID-19.
2021 Royal Highland Show will go ahead
While normally attracting almost 200,000 people over the four days, organisers have said that they are planning for a limited number of show-goers this year as “social distancing measures are likely to still be in place”.
There will, however, be the opportunity to ‘scale-up’ if changes to government restrictions allow.
As a result, organisers are releasing tickets via Ticketmaster on a staged basis. Tickets went on sale at none on Friday, December 11th, with the next release expected in early January with an increased price structure.
While visitor numbers will be restricted, organisers are setting their stalls out for what they plan will be a fitting showcase for the sector and the unveiling of the new RHASS members’ area.
Celebration of 180th show
RHASS Chairman, Bill Gray, said: “We have left no stone unturned in our planning for what will be the best possible celebration of our 180th show.”
“Yes, there will be special measures we have had to factor in, but that won’t take away from what will be a vitally important showcase for the sector – we all need this more than ever as we emerge from this challenging year.”
To plan with confidence, RHASS directors and staff have been working in close partnership with the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council to ensure all necessary guidelines are in place to enable the show to go ahead.
RHASS Chief Executive Alan Laidlaw explained: “It is important that we ensure that the event will remain a true reflection of the industry and will therefore feature the key pillars of this much-loved event, including food, livestock, show jumping, education, rural skills and, of course, the camaraderie of coming together to network and socialise.”
“The reality is that there will be fewer people, but for the lucky people that get a ticket, they will not be disappointed. That is our absolute commitment.”
RHASS members receive free entry to the show; however, to enable track and trace to take place, they will be asked to opt-in for the days they will attend.
Similarly, members of the public will be required to purchase tickets – both entry and car parking – for the specific days they plan to attend.
Ticket prices
- December 11th – January 1st (or until sold out) Adult day single admit: £25 + booking fee (£1 increase on 2020 prices).
- From January 2nd onwards entry prices will increase to £30 + booking fee.
- Children 15 and under will go free with a paying adult (max 3 children per paying adult)
- Parking £10 per day, two-day Parking £15, four-day parking £20
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