Thousands of farmers, food producers and rural businesses will descend on Edinburgh next month as the Royal Highland Show returns for its 2026 event.
Organisers expect strong visitor numbers for the four-day show at Ingliston, which has become one of the UK’s biggest agricultural events and a key date in the farming calendar.
The show, which runs from 18-21 June, will bring together livestock competitions, machinery demonstrations, food and drink producers, equestrian events and rural trade exhibitors.
Showcase
More than 1,000 exhibitors and thousands of livestock entries are expected to attend, alongside visitors from across the UK and overseas. Organisers say the event continues to provide an important commercial showcase for farming, food production and the wider rural economy.
The Royal Highland Show is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland and has been staged since the 19th century. It remains Scotland’s largest annual agricultural event.
Livestock judging will again form the centrepiece of the show, with cattle, sheep, horses, goats and poultry classes attracting breeders from across Britain. Heavy horse turnouts and showjumping competitions are also expected to draw large crowds.
Trade stands will feature machinery manufacturers, agricultural suppliers and rural businesses, reflecting continued investment interest despite pressure on farm incomes and ongoing policy uncertainty facing the sector.
Scottish food and drink producers will also have a strong presence, with demonstration kitchens, tasting events and retail stands forming a major part of the programme.
The event has increasingly broadened beyond its agricultural roots, attracting families, tourists and consumers alongside farmers and industry professionals. But its commercial importance to the rural economy remains central.
Located close to Edinburgh airport, the showground and the four-day show itself have become a major destination for agricultural networking, product launches and business development.