Accessibility at the Royal Highland Show

The event takes place on a 110-acre showground. The majority of pathing is tarmac roads or boardwalks. Although, our trade stands and displays are also spread over grass areas.

The Showground is made up of a grid system for each avenue. This is shown on our RHS App, event programme and directional signage.

Cattle Hall (Highland Hall)

This building is accessible by wide doors with a width of 1.79m. The public area to view the cattle is all on the ground floor.

There will be a strong animal smell and loud noises by the animals in this area.

The flooring is flat concrete but it may be covered in hay/straw which could make it inaccessible for wheelchairs, scooters or prams.

The Cattle Hall closes to the public at various times throughout the day when animals are moving between the Hall and the Showing Rings. Closure timings are displayed in the Main Foyer of the Cattle Hall.

You can view the Clydesdale Horses in the Central Hall via an indoor ramp from the Cattle Hall.

Scotland’s Larder (Lowland Hall)

This building is accessible by a lowered pavement and doors with a width of 1.66m. The doors do have a small lip on the floor but there are fire exits at the side of the building which would accommodate a wheelchair, scooter or prams.

This building is only one level. The walkway around the exhibition will be carpeted.

Scotland’s Larder and the avenue that leads to the hall are one of the busiest areas during the event.

The Royal Highland Hoolie is an outdoor standing event. The event and entrance lanes are located on grass with no concrete paving although there will be trackway in the accessible viewing area.

At the entrance lanes, there will be a dedicated Accessible Lane.

There are accessible toilets in the main event area and in the VIP area. There are no changing place facilities available inside the event, but we do have these facilities available in the venue should you need access to them.

There will be an accessible viewing area available for accessible customers. Spaces in this are on a first come first serve basis and you may be asked to show your accessible admission ticket on entry to the area. As the area has a limited capacity, wheelchair users will be given priority.

There will be a Kids Zone for families attending.

There is a seating area beside the catering units. This is at the back of the event, but you will still be able to see and hear the stage from this area.

There will be no strobe lighting at the event.

Our Box Offices and the Membership Office will have lowered counters and hearing loops.

We have no strobe lighting at the Royal Highland Show.

All bar and catering units that trade at the Royal Highland Show agree to value accessibility. Where possible they will try to have step-free access, lowered counters and large print or picture menus available. And their staff will be available for any assistance.

We have seating areas in the Countryside Area, The Green Food Court, The Craft Food Court and East Food Court.

We have been working hard to include high level signage throughout the event.

We have three animal crossing points around our Main Ring that are closed multiple times throughout the day to manage animals crossing to and from their stabling areas to the Main Ring.

When the crossings are closed, this stops all pedestrian travel around the area until the crossings open and causes large crowds to congregate. The crowds tend to stand at the barriers to watch the animals passing so if you want to avoid crowds we would suggest staying back from the barriers until the crossing is reopened.