The Royal Highland Show and its organisers the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland are accustomed to handing out awards.

But in 2012 event approaches, the show itself has been on the receiving end. It was voted the best agricultural show in the UK by readers of a national farming magazine and in March it won a second top award – the Best Event in Scotland. The latter was awarded by the National Outdoor Event Association, the trade organisation which was established in 1979 to represent and promote the outdoor events industry.

The award was picked up at the NOEA annual convention in Birmingham by Show Manager David Dunsmuir who said: “It is an honour to be recognised by our peers and demonstrates that we are major players in the event industry.

With the award coming only a few weeks after the magazine award, 2012 has got off to a great start for the show.” Dunsmuir expected that when visitors arrive at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston from Thursday June 21 to Sunday, June 24 they would find “once again one of the best events in Scotland.” The last two years’ attendances have broken through the 180,000 mark, with a record in 2010 of 187,644.

One of the highlights of 2012 will be the President’s Initiative from Dumfries & Galloway, the region where the show would have been staged had it still been touring the country. “Naturally Inspiring” is the theme to encourage visitors to explore the sights, the flavours and the experiences to be had in Scotland’s South West.

RHASS President Alex Fergusson explained: “Most people already know the region as a beautifully scenic area, but we wanted to highlight the many interesting, adventurous, delicious, exciting and enjoyable experiences that can be had here.”