# Royal Highland Show: what to do between sessions in Edinburgh

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/royal-highland-show/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 17 to 20 June 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, about 12 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Old Town and New Town: Walk to the castle, Royal Mile and Princes Street.
- **Getting there:** Edinburgh airport (EDI) has trams and the Airlink 100 bus to the centre in 30 minutes.
- **Weather:** In June, Edinburgh averages highs of about 16°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 82 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 17 h 35 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Edinburgh Castle; Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands; Whisky tasting experience

## Weather and what to pack

In June, Edinburgh averages highs of about 16°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 82 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 17 h 35 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Edinburgh airport (EDI) has trams and the Airlink 100 bus to the centre in 30 minutes.

Tram to Ingliston Park and Ride.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Haymarket and Leith. Cheaper hotels on the tram line.
- **mid:** Old Town and New Town. Walk to the castle, Royal Mile and Princes Street.
- **luxury:** St Andrew Square and Princes Street. Grand hotels with castle views.
- Hotels we would book: Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Haymarket) (budget), Motel One Edinburgh-Royal (mid), The Balmoral (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Harry Potter walking tour. Cafés and graveyards that inspired the books.
- Eat: Mother India's Cafe, Indian tapas

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Stirling Castle and the Kelpies. Castle and giant horse sculptures.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Ghost tour of the underground vaults. Under the South Bridge.
- Eat: Leith Shore restaurants, Seafood by the water

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Edinburgh Castle. Crown jewels and the one o'clock gun.
- Free: Princes Street Gardens.

## Tours worth booking

- [Edinburgh Castle](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Edinburgh%20Castle%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Crown jewels and the one o'clock gun.
- [Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Loch%20Ness%20day%20trip%20from%20Edinburgh&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Long scenic day.
- [Whisky tasting experience](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Edinburgh%20whisky%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile.
- [Ghost tour of the underground vaults](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Edinburgh%20ghost%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Under the South Bridge.
- [Stirling Castle and the Kelpies](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Stirling%20Castle%20Kelpies%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Castle and giant horse sculptures.
- [St Andrews and the fishing villages](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=St%20Andrews%20day%20trip%20from%20Edinburgh&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Golf town and Fife coast.
- [Harry Potter walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Edinburgh%20Harry%20Potter%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-royal-highland-show): Cafés and graveyards that inspired the books.

## Where to eat

- Oink: Hog roast rolls
- The Witchery by the Castle: Gothic dining room
- Mother India's Cafe: Indian tapas
- Leith Shore restaurants: Seafood by the water
- Ting Thai Caravan: Cheap Thai street food

## With kids

- Edinburgh Zoo pandas and penguins.
- Camera Obscura.
- Dynamic Earth.

## Rainy-day backups

- National Museum of Scotland.
- Scottish National Gallery.
- Real Mary King's Close.

## Getting around

- Lothian buses and the tram take contactless.
- Murrayfield is a 25-minute walk or a short tram ride from the West End.
- Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
- Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
- Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.

## Questions people ask

### When is Royal Highland Show 2027?

The next edition is 17 to 20 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Royal Highland Show?

In June, Edinburgh averages highs of about 16°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 82 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 17 h 35 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston?

Edinburgh airport (EDI) has trams and the Airlink 100 bus to the centre in 30 minutes. Tram to Ingliston Park and Ride.

### Where should I stay for Royal Highland Show?

For most visitors the best base is Old Town and New Town: Walk to the castle, Royal Mile and Princes Street.

### What can we do between sessions at Royal Highland Show?

Good short outings in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Castle, Whisky tasting experience, Harry Potter walking tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Royal Highland Show?

Family-friendly picks: Edinburgh Castle, Ghost tour of the underground vaults, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies. Edinburgh Zoo pandas and penguins.

### How far is Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston from Edinburgh centre?

About 12 km in a straight line. Tram to Ingliston Park and Ride.

More in Edinburgh: https://eventweekends.com/city/edinburgh/