Show to examine new site options

The Royal Highland Show may be forced to leave its Ingliston home

Organisers of the Royal Highland Show have ordered a study into finding a new home in case it has to make way for an expansion of Edinburgh Airport.

Officials at the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society say they want to stay where they are in Ingliston.

However, BAA, the operators of the neighbouring airport, want to expand into the space because of an increasing number of passengers.

It is estimated that the cost of relocating could be as much as £400m.

The society has been at Ingliston for almost half a century.

The fight for a one site solution will continue alongside the study Ray Jones RHASS chief executive

Ray Jones, RHASS chief executive, said: "We are still determined to stay at our current site, our home for almost 50 years, but, like any good business, RHASS needs to think ahead and plan for a worst case scenario.

"That's why we are developing a contingency plan, of which this study's findings will be the first part.

"However, the fight for a one site solution will continue alongside the study.

"As far as we can see, there is no good reason why an expanded airport and a successful showground can't continue to co-exist."

A spokesman for BAA Edinburgh said: "We note the decision by RHASS to investigate relocation and look forward to engaging with them further in due course."