The Royal Highland Show announces major sponsors for 2014

Organisers of The Royal Highland Show (RHS) have attracted almost £400k in sponsorship in support of its flagship event – the biggest figure in its 174-year history.

RBS are again the Show's partner, this being the bank's 33rd year supporting Scotland’s largest and most enduring event.

This year, along with other long term event sponsors - M&S, Norbrook Laboratories, Watson's Seeds, QMS and Edinburgh Airport - it is joined by a host of new and significant sponsors, including EventScotland, Marine Harvest, McDermott Group Ltd and ScottishPower.

Taking place between 19th and 22nd June, The Royal Highland Show is Scotland's largest outdoor event and attracts audiences in excess of 170,000 over the four days.

Achieving this level of support is, according to RHASS' Chief Executive, Stephen Hutt, an indication of the importance of the show to Scotland's economy and the strength of the RHS brand. He said: "Receiving support from all of our different sponsors, be it hundreds or thousands of pounds, is essential in enabling us to make the Show what it is today.

"The show enables the society to undertake its charitable remit in the promotion of farming and rural industry in Scotland and supports the work of the Royal Highland Education Trust, which connects with 70,000 children each year".

Jimmy McLean, Head of Agricultural Services at RBS, commented: "We are delighted to have supported the Royal Highland Show since 1981. Our close partnership demonstrates the importance that we, at RBS, place on our farming and agricultural customers, and the wider rural communities they support.

"The RHS is the largest outdoor event in Scotland and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the best of agricultural and rural Scotland. I am proud to have witnessed its growth over the years - it really is a great show".

McDermott Group Ltd, a leading privately owned collection of diverse and dynamic forward thinking companies operating throughout Scotland, are coming to the Highland for the first time this year and are the main sponsor of the Renewables and Eco Village.

Mark Williams, McDermott's Operations Manager, said: "McDermott Group is proud to sponsor the Renewables and Eco Village at the Royal Highland Show 2014, the UK's leading agricultural event, as it provides the perfect showcase for our company to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to establish renewable energy as a substantial, reliable and cost-effective contributor to the UK's energy mix".

Other attractions at the Show that have support from major sponsors include, the Royal Highland Education Trust's Children's Discover Centre, sponsored by ScottishPower and the Scottish Food and Drink Cookery Theatre, sponsored by Marine Harvest.