Royal Highland Show spends millions to weather bad summers

THE Royal Highland Centre is to spend millions in a bid to “weather-proof” the Ingliston site after a series of poor summers.

Most of the car park was left waterlogged after heavy rain during the Royal Highland Show in June.

Around £4 million worth of work will now be carried out to improve drainage and roads in time for next year’s show. The 280-acre centre also hopes the investment will help bring more large-scale events to the venue.

The work will include laying permanent hard surfaces throughout the site for vehicles to park on.

Stephen Hutt, chief executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society Scotland, said: “A detailed design study has identified ways in which we can deliver immediate results in terms of drainage and the internal road network, which will ‘shore up’ both the showground and the car parks.

“This work is well under way and will be complete in time for next year’s show.

“In parallel, we are in discussions with our neighbours, Edinburgh Airport and RBS, on developing robust contingency plans should these be required. I am very heartened by this collaborative approach.”

A sudden heavy shower at the Royal Highland Show on June 21 saw part of the parade cancelled and some vehicles having to be freed from mud by tractors.

Next year’s Royal Highland Show opens on June 20.