EDINBURGH Rugby players, falconry and sheepdog displays are among the attractions at Saturday’s Haddington Show.

The popular event returned last year after a three-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now, thousands of visitors are expected to head to East Fortune for the show, which is among the oldest agricultural shows in Scotland.

Sandra Watson and Sophie Arnold have together taken on the role of show secretary as they look to build on the work of predecessor Zoe Colebrook.

Sandra, who lives in Gullane, was looking forward to the event.

She said: “There will be livestock – cattle, horses – and there is the main ring entertainment, which is sheepdog displays and falconry displays this year.

“We have Haddington Pipe Band and we have various things going on in the main ring.

“There will be horse classes in the main ring and in the Gilmerton Ring this year we have a heavy horse display, Edinburgh Rugby [players putting on a demonstration event] and that’s where we are having our dog show.”

The annual Haddington Agricultural Show dates back to 1804 and is a staple of the social calendar.

The event, now in its 219th year, is organised by the United East Lothian Agricultural Society (UELAS) and gates open at 9am.

Traditional displays of animals, produce and crafts take place throughout the day, alongside entertainment and attractions to appeal to contemporary audiences.

Various classes take place throughout the day before the Champion of Champions is crowned at 3.50pm.

Sandra, who was involved with the sponsorship side of the event last year, told the Courier that planning for the next show started almost immediately after the curtain came down on the current version.

She said: “We have a meeting within three weeks after the show.

“That’s to pick up on anything needing sorted for next year.

“Good things or bad things, and it will be a little bit quieter at that point, but planning starts in about October or November.”

Organising includes getting the various services booked in, as well as the various licences and permissions in place from East Lothian Council.

Go to haddingtonshow.co.uk for more information on the show.