Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Royal Highland Show is Scotland's premier agricultural show and the largest such show in the United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the formation of the 'Highland Society of Edinburgh' in 1784, and in 1785 the Society adopted as one of its main objectives 'advancing the agriculture of the Highlands of Scotland'. The Society was granted a Royal Charter in 1787, and the title 'Royal' was bestowed by King George VI in 1948.

The four-day show is held annually in the third week of June, and used to be in different places across Scotland until it settled on its now permanent site at Ingliston, a few miles west of Edinburgh. The 2012 event, from 21 to 24 June, was the 172nd Highland Show.

The main feature is of course the hundreds of cattle, sheep, horses, goats and poultry on show, but the livestock are supported by a vast range of other attractions and entertainment besides displays of every conceivable type of agricultural machinery, handicrafts, rural activities, and shopping of all kinds including a food hall.