Ingliston £30m revamp 'to pave way for top events'

a £30 MILLION revamp of the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston approved by councillors will pave the way for new prestigious events to be staged at the venue, according to organisers.

The 20-year masterplan for a "world class exhibition and event venue" includes a new main entrance, a major new exhibition hall, an agricultural "centre of excellence" and a new main pavilion overlooking the showground arena.

Stephen Hutt, chief executive of Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, said: "We are already well established as a top-class venue but this will take us to a new level.

"The potential here is unlimited and being adjacent to an international airport and on the fringe of the capital city our vision is to be part of the gateway to Scotland."

The first major development will be a 165-bedroom hotel, due to open next year, next to Eastfield Road, close to where a new boulevard will be created, leading to the revamped entrance to the arena.