2000 cuddly toys to be found this Easter – find one and you could win Royal Highland Show VIP tickets

Scottish families looking for a fun day out over the Easter holidays could take home a free cuddly toy, and be in with the chance of winning exclusive tickets to one of the highlights of the Scottish summer season.

Leading agricultural charity Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), which is behind the Royal Highland Show, is celebrating its 240th anniversary this year, and has a series of events planned, including Munro challenges, harvest thanksgiving events and storytelling projects.

But to kick-start the celebrations, they’ve come up with a novel idea to entertain little ones this Easter – they’ve hidden 1920 soft toy lambs around the country, in places such as shopping centres, farm shops, tourist destinations and agricultural centres.

Before the Royal Highland Show became one large, national event, there used to be events held in the eight RHASS regions. To mark this, the cuddly sheep have been shared around those regions – Edinburgh and Lothians, the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Strathclyde, Stirling, Perth, Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands in both rural and urban landscapes.

We’re going on a sheep hunt …

Head to one of the Hide & Sheep locations between March 25 and April 14 and you could find one of the sheep. The great news is you get to keep the little lost lamb! Better still, scan the QR code on its ear tag and you will find out instantly if you are a VIP experience winner. There are eight of the top prizes up for grabs. Find your nearest Hide & Sheep location here.

The QR code will also share five farming facts affecting the rural sector and farmers over Spring … learn about lambing, crop sowing and more.

Family fun

As well as a great Easter activity, you can save the date for one of the best family days out of the year, at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. This year it takes place at Ingliston on June 20-23.

Jim Warnock, RHASS Chairman said: “We hope Hide & Sheep alongside our other family-friendly events this year encourage people across Scotland to learn more about the Scottish agricultural community, the challenges they face, and the important role they play within Scotland.”

Alan Laidlaw, RHASS Chief Executive added: “At RHASS we have 240 years of history in championing Scottish agriculture. Inspiring the next generation through events like Hide & Sheep remains a key part of that. We hope lots of young people and their families get involved with the event and also continue their interest by visiting us at our milestone event, the Royal Highland Show, in June.”

Unlucky on your lamb hunt? You can buy the delightful cuddly toys, which are suitable from birth, at Royal Highland Show website, priced at £14.95.

The Hide & Sheep event is being sponsored Turcan Connell and RHASS’ media partner, The Scotsman Publications (National World).