SRUC celebrates successful return to Royal Highland Show

_{Student ambassadors handed out thousands of free milkshakes at the RHS.}

SRUC handed out 3,500 milkshakes and conducted more than 1,200 steak taste tests in a triumphant return to the Royal Highland Show.

With interactive displays including thermal imaging cameras and drones, SRUC highlighted the benefits of cutting-edge research and innovation as the flagship event returned to Ingliston for the first time in three years.

Thousands of visitors came to the SRUC pavilion over an incredibly busy four days, including Mairi McAllan MSP, Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform, who addressed guests at an evening reception.

Meanwhile Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland, was shown round by Professor Wayne Powell, SRUC Principal and Chief Executive, and SRUC Chair Linda Hanna.

At SRUC’s Mobile Sensory Lab, Professor Eileen Wall oversaw 1,209 steak taste tests to develop more understanding of which farming practices produce the tastiest beef, while SRUC’s Marketing and Student Recruitment team distributed more than 4,000 eco-friendly bags filled with wildflower seeds and other goodies.

SAC Consulting and SRUC Veterinary Services were on hand to answer questions, and farmers and rural businesses were also able to find out what advice was on offer through the Farm Advisory Service.

On Friday, the Scottish Farm Business Survey team, led by Sascha Grierson of SAC Consulting, hosted about 50 people for afternoon tea as a 'thank you' for their help with filling in the survey.

Prof Powell said: “It was fantastic to be back at the Royal Highland Show, the highlight in the Scottish rural calendar. There is no substitute to giving the entire community a chance to come together and it was very important for SRUC to be at the heart of that.

“Meeting stakeholders face to face and sharing what SRUC is doing in support of the Scottish natural economy, as well as our exciting plans for the future, was a great privilege. We very much look forward to returning next year.”

Posted by SRUC on 29/06/2022