Over 41,000 flock to Royal Highland Show on biggest first day in 20 years

A total of 41,269 flocked to the event showcasing the best in Scottish farming, food and the countryside at Ingliston, Edinburgh, on Thursday.

Last year 39,891 went to the show on the first day.

Judith O'Leary, a spokeswoman for the show, said: "Despite early predictions, the turnout was great on the first day. It is a fantastic number of visitors despite mixed weather. Today it's sunny and very busy. There's a fashion show and the big, big attraction is the animals."

The annual show, which runs until tomorrow, is Scotland's largest outdoor event and is expected to pull in 185,000 visitors over the weekend.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's also announced at the show that it will generate enough wind energy to power all of its Scottish stores and depots using Scottish renewable energy by next year.

The company already generates enough renewable electricity to power more than half of its Scottish stores after it purchased all of the electricity from two installations at Muirhall and Lochhead, situated just outside Glasgow.

It said it is now on the brink of securing another site that will ensure it generates enough to power all 47 of its stores, as well as its depots in Scotland.

Group commercial director Mike Coupe said: "We have a long history of investing in renewables, particularly in Scotland. We will soon be able to say that we generate enough to offset all of the power used by our Scottish operations. This is a great achievement and one that will have a significant impact on our carbon footprint."

Sainsbury's said it had pioneered an "innovative type of energy deal" known as a power purchase agreement (PPA).

The agreement sees the energy purchased in advance at an agreed cost, providing guaranteed income for the renewable energy company and protection from the volatility of the energy market for Sainsbury's.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "It's great to see a company like Sainsbury's making a public commitment to Scotland's renewables revolution. The Scottish Government aims to generate 100 per cent of Scotland's own electricity demand from a mix of renewable sources by 2020."

The Lochhead windfarm was commissioned two years ago while the Muirhall wind farm was commissioned this April.

Alex Hensher, founder of A7, the company that owns the Lochhead windfarm, said: "Power purchase agreements are an innovative way that independent generators can get renewable energy projects off the ground."

Sainsbury's is planning to announce the addition of a third windfarm next year.

Mr Lochhead also announced 15 businesses will receive funding in the latest Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme (FPMC) awards.

The scheme has provided a total of 30 million of vital funding for small-to-medium enterprises across Scotland since its launch in 2008, safeguarding and creating around 7,000 jobs.

Speaking at the show, Mr Lochhead said: "From our top quality Scotch beef and lamb and award-winning seafood, to unique regional cheeses and our iconic haggis, it's clear to see why Scotland has a growing reputation as one of the world's greatest producers of quality food."