Royal Highland Show 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus

The organisers of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh have announced that they have been forced to cancel this year’s event.

The organisers say the cancellation is a "major disappointment". Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

The hugely popular event, which was due to take place from June 18 to 21 at Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston has been called off due to the new government regulations around coronavirus and for the safety of those who were looking to attend.

NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker stated that it was not surprising that the Royal Highland Show has become another event on the list of cancellations due to the coronavirus outbreak, but described the decision as a “major disappointment” not just to farmers from across the whole of Scotland but to everyone who visits the show, he said: “I know that for many of our members the event is a must attend. It is a great social event. Farmers work long hours and often by themselves, events such as the Highland Show are important for socialising and for people’s mental health.

“As every sector of society puts plans in place to mitigate the impact of the disease and social gatherings become much less frequent, I ask that everyone in the farming community looks out for one another. NFUS as an organisation will still be doing all the work our members are expecting but it will be getting done in a different way.

“Members are reminded that they can contact the NFUS team on anything. For those who need emotional, practical or financial support in times of need, Scotland’s rural charity RSABI is there to support people in Scottish agriculture and can be contacted on 0300 111 4166.”