Dumfries & Galloway and its famous Belted Galloway cows will take centre stage at next year\u2019s Royal Highland Show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plans had been well advanced for the region to host this year\u2019s event which then had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In normal times the role of host rotates between the country\u2019s eight regions. But due to this year\u2019s exceptional circumstances the directors of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) have voted in favour of Dumfries & Galloway remaining as the host region for 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The show, taking place at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh from 17-20 June, is the pinnacle of the agricultural calendar and a showcase for the best of rural life and business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The presidential team, led by broadcaster and Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong<\/strong>, welcomed the news as an opportunity for farmers, businesses, artists and others to highlight all that\u2019s south west Scotland has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fiona, who will now continue as RHASS Honorary President, said:<\/strong> \u201cThis is wonderful news and such a boost for Dumfries & Galloway. And we all need a boost at the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe would like to thank the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland for their generosity in allowing this to happen. A chance like only comes around every eight years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe had ambitious plans to highlight the region and it would have been a great shame if those had come to nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis year\u2019s show was a \u2018virtual\u2019 one \u2013 and very successful. Next year\u2019s will hopefully be the real deal allowing us to showcase D&G as a place of excellence for its food, farming, coast, countryside, art, culture, heritage and tourism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd we are looking forward to the region\u2019s much-loved Belties having a starring role.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n DG Unlimited (Dumfries & Galloway\u2019s Chamber for the Arts) is working with Fiona and her team to provide a platform for the region\u2019s artists and makers at the show. There will be specially commissioned artworks, including multi-coloured life size cut outs of cows which will be displayed round the showground so visitors can take \u201cA Selfie With A Beltie\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cathy Agnew, DG Unlimited Chair, said:<\/strong> \u201cDumfries & Galloway has a large and vibrant creative community and the Royal Highland Show is a wonderful chance for us to help bring some of this immense artistic talent to the attention of a diverse national and international audience, at the same time as encouraging young people to learn more about their own region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also plans for the former servicemen who have developed the Dumfries Veterans\u2019 Garden to create a special garden at the show. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The strapline for the 2021 show will be \u201cDumfries & Galloway \u2013 Let\u2019s Grow Together\u201d \u2013 reflecting the region\u2019s ambition to build on its many strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These include being the heartland of Scotland\u2019s milk production. It is also home to Wigtown, Scotland\u2019s National Book Town, the Artists\u2019 Town of Kirkcudbright and the Food Town of Castle Douglas. And Gretna is the UK\u2019s weddings capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bill Gray, RHASS Chairman, added:<\/strong> \u201cWe are really looking forward to shining a spotlight on Dumfries & Galloway at the 2021 Royal Highland Show. The Presidential team has some big plans for showcasing their region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith prizewinning livestock, gorgeous landscapes and top-quality food and drink producers, the region has much to celebrate \u2013 Dumfries & Galloway generates enormous value to Scotland\u2019s rural sectors, and we can\u2019t wait to display this to everyone this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We would like to thank the Mochrum Estate, home to one of the foundation herds of Belted Galloways, for providing the beautiful Belties which appear in the accompanying photos.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n – Ends –<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notes for Editors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n