Highland Show is energised

Senior Feature Writer & Food Writer

Wednesday 20 June 2012

SUPPORTERS say it remains the best and most traditional agricultural event in the UK, but this week's Royal Highland Show will also reveal the changing face of farming.

Custom byline text:

Cate Devine

Renewable energy is the biggest growth area of this year's event, which opens tomorrow and runs until Sunday at Ingliston, near Edinburgh.

A record 32 companies – some from Germany, Holland and Sweden – will attend, all trying to entice Scottish farmers to invest in wind, water and solar energy devices to cut energy bills and diversify their income.

Show manager David Dunsmuir said: "Farms are no longer just about milk and beef. We can't go on the way we are. Farms can be big energy users, whether it be running milking sheds or keeping cattle indoors in winter. So diversification is a must. It doesn't mean every farm needs to have a wind turbine. Water mills and solar panels can also help."He added that with so much focus on climate change, carbon footprint and conservation, and high oil prices, renewable energy is playing an ever more important role in the lighting, heating and fuelling of the homes of visitors to the show.Mr Dunsmuir, who recently announced he will retire after this year's event, said: "We are keen to showcase the new advances in this technology."He has seen many changes during his 15 years in charge but points out the show, which has a turnover of £3.5 million, remains the lead event of its kind in the UK and will attract crowds similar to last year's attendance of 183,000. The event, which will showcase 5000 prime livestock, was recently voted best agricultural show in the UK by readers of a national farming magazine, and in March it was voted the Best Event in Scotland. Mr Dunsmuir, who patrols the site on a bike, said: "The Royal Highland Show has grown dramatically over the years and it is unrecognisable from what it was. But what makes it different from any other agricultural show is that it has retained the traditional element. "First and foremost, it's a serious business show. This year we are hosting the World Charolais Championships and there will be 100 absolutely stunning cattle here. There are 3000 wonderful horses showing in different sections. We are launching the Scottish Pig Academy for young people and there are beautiful goats, as well magnificent machinery displays and computerised equipment."We realise we are competing for a share of the public's hard-earned cash and we need to offer value for money. The Countryside section is bigger this year than ever and the food hall goes from strength to strength." After the deluge at the weekend, work was continuing yesterday to ensure rain does not stop play. Special drainage equipment is being pulled by tractor over the 220-acre site to remove the worst of the weekend's 2.5ins of rain – and little of that now remains on the famous showground which has been home to the event since 1960. Although more rain is forecast this weekend, organisers say it is not expected to cause disruption – the weather has never caused any show to be cancelled.Nevertheless, show organisers the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland have invested in the special equipment to ensure the safety of the ground for visitors – as well as the prize-winning bulls, sheep, pigs, goats and chickens.

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Highland Show is energised

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED