Coronavirus in Scotland: Royal Highland Show cancelled for second year due to pandemic

This year’s Royal Highland Show has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers have confirmed.

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) pulled the plug on Scotland’s biggest agriculture extravaganza following guidance from senior Scottish Government officials.

It is the second year the event, held annually at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, near Edinburgh, will not take place due to the pandemic.

Disappointed organisers said they left “no stone unturned” in their efforts to host the 180th Royal Highland Show – but restrictions likely to still be in place by June made it impossible to plan with confidence.

Instead, organisers have turned their attention to the development of a Royal Highland Show live concept, bringing together the most-loved parts of the show, including livestock judging, show jumping and competitions.

It is envisaged that as much as possible of the traditional show will take place behind closed doors at the showground and be livestreamed across the globe.

Commenting on the showcase, RHASS Chairman Bill Gray said: “This thrilling initiative will effectively be a Royal Highland Show Live event, giving audiences unique access to parts of the Show they have never experienced before.

“Imagine being side-by-side with the judge as they select the champion Clydesdale or soaring over the jumps on the back of a competing showjumper – with technology and the finest livestock all this is possible.

The 2021 Royal Highland Show will not go ahead as planned.

“Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.”

In the meantime, anyone who purchased for the Royal Highland Show through Ticketmaster will receive an automatic ticket refund, including booking fee, and the promise of priority access to ticket sales for the 2022 Show

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