A limited-edition gin celebrating 200 years of custom, tradition and the best of Scotland has been launched to mark the bicentenary of The Royal Highland Show.

Created by Elgin-based craft distillers, Avva Scottish Gin, the new concoction contains botanicals from the eight regions where the show traditionally visited every year, before it settled in 1960 at its current show ground at Ingliston, Edinburgh.

The bespoke recipe of 12 botanicals includes dandelion, mint, nettle, red clover and honey combined with juniper, citrus peels, angelica root and a few secret ingredients to create a classic juniper-forward Scottish gin.

The bottle artwork features archive paintings of historic Highland Show winners – a Leicester tup, painted by Mr John Sheriff c.1844, plus a Clydesdale stallion c.1866 and a polled Angus c.1843, both painted by Mr Gourley Steel R.S.A. All three paintings are proudly displayed in Ingliston House, headquarters of RHS organisers the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).

“We are very excited to launch this special gin, commemorating 200 years since the first Highland Show took place in 1822,” said Bill Gray, RHASS Chairman

“Avva Scottish Gin is a perfect example of a brand that is innovating and using their position in the Highlands & Islands to their advantage – their unique location allows them to create a delicious, high-quality craft gin.

“The eight regional botanicals blend perfectly with one another and we hope Highland Show fans will join us in raising a glass to 200 years of this very special show!”

This year’s Royal Highland Show takes place between 23-26 June.