Royal Highland Show 2023: family friendly fun for all ages in Edinburgh
The Royal Highland Show returns to Ingliston on June 22-June 25 – it’s a firm favourite on the rural calendar, but you don’t have to live rural to enjoy a fabulous day out.
This year’s RHS showcases the best in food, farming and rural life, but has plenty to tempt townies too. With excellent public transport links – a dedicated Lothian bus route straight to the Showground and is close to the Ingliston tram stop – together with ample car parking, it has all the makings of a day out to remember. Make sure you book all transport and tickets in advance.
Here are 10 hand-picked highlights to make sure you don’t miss this year.
Explore the kid zone
The fun-packed interactive area will entertain as it educates, with lots of things to do and see, including outdoor play equipment and face painting. Definitely, a fun spot to blow off a little steam. Find it in the Countryside area.
The annual Pony Club Games
This is a hidden gem of the Royal Highland Show when members of pony clubs from around the country compete in a series of fast-paced technical tasks. Think dodging obstacles, relay races all done at a gallop, and three-legged races for the young riders before they hop back on their ponies … this is a hugely entertaining event.
Wild woodsmen and mountain bikers
The forestry area has plenty of action – be dazzled by the intricate skills of the chainsaw carvers who create life-like owls and bears from tree trunks, and gasp at the extreme mountain bikers as they perform breath taking high-speed jumps and flips. The pole climbing championships will also be hosted here – you won’t believe the power and speed as climbers spring up a towering pole to reach the top in the fastest time.
Make, bake and rake
Fledgling little farmers will love the RHET children’s discovery zone, the number one destination for families every year. There’s lots of interactive fun to be had – let the little ones bake a scone, make a sheep on a stick, milk the fiberglass cow or plant seeds.
Puppy power!
The countryside area is top dog when it comes to canine fun; visit for sheepdog trials, gundogs, and even ferrets. This is also the perfect spot for a picnic, with spaces beside the Lochan that are made for time out for tea and sandwiches.
The stars of the show
The main ring is what it’s all about … you can’t have a Royal Highland Show without amazing livestock. Animal-loving little ones are in for a treat as they can get nose-to-muzzle with a whole variety of four-legged friends – from adorable sheep to towering Clydesdale horses and magnificent Highland coos as well as watch the excitement of show jumping in the main ring and Jubilee ring too. Lastly, let’s not forget the Grand Parade which will wow them all as all cattle and equine strut their stuff.
Make a beeline for the Honey Marquee
One of the must-visit parts of the Showground is the Honey Marquee – this sweet-scented area tells you everything you ever need to know about honey and the bees who make it. Kids can learn the ‘bee dance’ these insects use to communicate, taste honey, make beeswax candles and spot a queen bee!
I like big trucks …
If you’ve ever wanted to get up close to huge agricultural machinery – here is your chance. From top-of-the-line tractors to enormous telehandlers, and quad bikes to combine harvesters, for machinery-mad kids this is the place to be. Get a good look at all of them at the Show and see some of them in action at the brand-new Agri Innovation Arena too.
Mouth-wateringly good food
The huge choice of top-quality food vendors around the Showground means you are never stuck if hunger sneaks up on you – the only problem is you won’t know what to pick! From artisan pizzas to succulent Aberdeen Angus burgers, there’s something for every taste. Plus, a visit to Scotland’s Larder is the perfect place to stock up on Scottish produce to feed the family later.
The big wheel
Want the chance to see just how huge the show is? See the beautiful sights of the entire showground and Edinburgh on the big wheel. Watch the kids get excited as you get higher and higher into the sky.
You can book tickets for the Royal Highland Show –all tickets must be booked in advance, including parking. Book now to avoid missing out.. Find out more here.