The Royal Highland Show 2026 Is Bigger, Better And More Fun Than Ever: Here’s Why You Need To Go This Summer
In Partnership with Royal Highland Show
From incredible Scottish food and countryside chic shopping to hobby horsing, live music and family-friendly fun, the Royal Highland Show is back — and honestly, this year’s line-up might be its best yet.
From incredible Scottish food and countryside chic shopping to hobby horsing, live music and family-friendly fun, the Royal Highland Show is back — and honestly, this year’s line-up might be its best yet.
Returning to Ingliston from 18th to 21st June, the Royal Highland Show 2026 promises four days packed with everything from world-class livestock competitions and rural traditions to artisan shopping, hands-on family activities and exciting new entertainment. With more than 200,000 visitors expected across the event, it remains one of Scotland’s ultimate summer days out — whether you’re heading along with friends, planning a family day out or making a full weekend of it.
And this year, there’s even more reason to book tickets.
A Feast Of Scottish Flavours
From artisan cheese and Highland charcuterie to the best of Scottish spirits, local honeys and fresh seafood, foodies will be spoilt for choice at the Royal Highland Show this year.
Foodies could easily spend an entire day grazing their way around the Royal Highland Show — and this year’s Scotland’s Larder line-up is seriously impressive. Think artisan cheeses, small-batch spirits, Highland charcuterie, fresh seafood, macarons, brownies, whisky, rum, oatcakes, local honey and more.
Big names including Mackies of Scotland, Walkers Shortbread and Glenkinchie sit alongside smaller Scottish producers like Buck and Birch, The Gin Bothy and Hebridean Charcuterie — making it a dream destination for anyone who loves discovering new Scottish brands.
New for this year, the Food for Thought Cookery Theatre will bring some of the country’s top chefs to the stage for live demonstrations and tastings across all four days. Visitors can watch everything from butchery masterclasses and seafood demos to Scottish afternoon teas and award-winning dishes. Chefs appearing throughout the weekend include Derek Johnstone, Craig Palmer and Jenny Thomson.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s Larder Traders Tryst will pair Scottish food and drink producers together for tasting sessions, while the Scottish Dairy Produce Championships, Honey Championships and Handcraft Championships all return to celebrate the best of Scottish craftsmanship and produce.
Why Families Will Love It This Year
Tire the kids out on a day filled with activity - close-up animal experiences, tractor try-outs and circus workshops are just some of the delights in store for families visiting the Royal Highland Show
The Royal Highland Show has always been one of Scotland’s best family days out, but 2026 is leaning even further into interactive experiences for children — and with kids aged 15 and under attending free with a paying adult, it’s a surprisingly affordable summer outing too.
This year’s Countryside Area is packed with new activities, including circus performers Circa Alba, who will host parkour, juggling, capoeira and open circus workshops throughout the day. Children can try hula hoops, flower sticks, diabolo and movement classes, while younger visitors can enjoy face painting, glitter tattoos, unicorn hair pieces and soft play areas.
Animal lovers are in for a treat too, with alpaca meet-and-greets returning to the showground, alongside donkeys, horses and more than 6,000 livestock animals onsite across the weekend.
One of the standout family favourites is Mini Rovers, where children aged four to ten can drive miniature replica Land Rovers around an obstacle course, while everyone’s favourite green tractor, Tractor Ted, will also roll into the Agricultural Area with interactive activities focused on farming, healthy eating and outdoor play.
The RHET Discovery Centre on Avenue Q once again looks set to be one of the busiest family hubs onsite. The free hands-on education space includes scone baking sessions, pea planting, sensory vegetable games, DIY sushi rolling, salmon discovery workshops and the ever-popular chance to milk Mabel the Cow.
Sunday 21 June will once again become dedicated Family Day, complete with live milking demonstrations, sheep shearing displays and — for the first time ever — hobby horsing.
Country Style, Shopping Villages & Scottish Makers
Fashion lovers can enjoy collections from luxe brands such as Holland Cooper (above) Fairfax & Favor and Dubarry as well unique finds from small independent makers.
The Royal Highland Show might be rooted in agriculture, but seasoned visitors know it’s also one of the best shopping weekends of the summer — and arguably Scotland’s chicest countryside style event too.
Across the showground, shopping villages will be packed with country clothing, artisan gifts, footwear, jewellery, homeware, beauty, pet accessories and lifestyle brands — making it dangerously easy to leave with far more bags than you planned.
Fashion lovers can browse coveted countrywear brands including Holland Cooper, Fairfax & Favor and Dubarry, alongside independent Scottish makers and premium outdoor labels. Expect plenty of tailored blazers, suede knee-high boots, wax jackets, crisp shirting and elevated country style inspiration throughout the weekend.
This year, the Home and Gift Hall has had a full layout revamp and will now host the Scottish Handcraft Championships, bringing together makers, creators and traditional craftsmanship under one roof.
The Countryside Village remains a must for premium country style and Scottish independent brands, while the Renewable Village will showcase sustainable innovation from companies working across wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and tidal energy.
The Royal Highland Show has increasingly become a place where muddy boots meet elevated country style — expect plenty of Barbour jackets, oversized knits and chic wellies alongside serious rural credentials.
The Reeling Brings Festival Energy To Ingliston
Say hello to The Reeling festival which is making its debut at the show this year.
One of the biggest additions to this year’s programme is the Royal Highland Show’s brand-new collaboration with The Reeling festival, bringing a one-day contemporary folk festival to Ingliston on Saturday 20 June.
The Royal Highland Show Presents The Reeling will transform the Showground into a huge summer music event after dark, with performances from Breabach, Dlù, Dougie MacLean, Elephant Sessions, Kinnaris Quintet and Skippinish all set to perform.
Combined with live music across the Show’s 24 bars courtesy of Innis & Gunn, the atmosphere this year is expected to feel more festival-like than ever before.
And honestly? That’s the magic of the Royal Highland Show. One minute you’re watching world-class showjumping, the next you’re eating incredible Scottish food, shopping for handcrafted gifts, stroking alpacas or dancing along to live folk music in the evening sunshine. There really is nowhere else quite like it.