Edinburgh Royal Highland Show and an American tourist's take on the Scottish spectacle
| Author | Danyel VanReenen |
| Published date | 24 June 2022 |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
I expected these endless differences in the way that all people do. However, despite a significant increase in tweed, bagpipes and raincoats on offer, there were far more similarities than differences between Scottish and American rural life and agriculture.
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Perhaps it's the biggest takeaway from this story: there is always more that we share in common than what separates us. The second biggest takeaway is that the Scottish agriculture community is full of people with a lot of grit, determination, passion and heart. Every single person was more than happy to share their knowledge and kindness with me on Thursday.
My first thought as non-native was to find the sheep – a quintessential product of the UK. I discovered row after row of sheep, each breed more unusual and unique than the rest. Some were as soft and fluffy as teddy bears, and others literally reminded me of devils with four horns upon their head.
The variety and quality seemed almost endless. Andrew Morris, from Logie Farm in Fife, said the Royal Highland Show is hugely important to the agricultural industry because it allows the community to meet, socialise and compete – which ensures the enduring quality of livestock and the products they create.
"If I could get across one thing, it would be the amount of effort and time it takes to produce this quality of product and livestock," said Morris. "Sometimes we get labeled as bad guys but we are trying to produce the highest quality livestock and products to feed the nation and the world. At the end of the day, we are trying to keep people fed."
Rosie Barraclough and Lynn Barbaur were both exhibiting Berrichon sheep, and they were kind enough to let me pose with Newark West Point – a large, rather strong sheep described by Lynn as "full of character." The two women were pulling up and trimming the wool on sheep, powdering their legs, and perfecting the sheep's appearance before their big moment in front of judges.
As Lynn and Rosie worked together to make West Point look his very best, it was overwhelmingly obvious that a lot of care and love went into maintaining the animals. Cows followed naturally...
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