Scotland’s farming community were celebrated in a Harvest Thanksgiving service hosted by Edinburgh’s St Giles Cathedral in conjunction with the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).
The service, which was conducted by Associate Minister of St. Giles, reverend Sigrid Marten, in the 900-year old cathedral yesterday, October 6, in recognition of the hard work tolled by the community and the challenging weather conditions they have faced ahead of this year’s harvest.
Marten said: “The gathering in of the harvest is something that is marked and celebrated across many cultures and religious traditions.
“This season is a time for giving thanks to God and reflecting on the stories Jesus told of sowing and harvesting as parables of our spiritual growth and the spreading of God’s word of love.
“We are delighted to have once again worked closely together with the RHASS to draw the attention of passers-by, highlighting both our Harvest Festival Service, as well as more generally, the vital role that Scottish farmers play in providing food.
“Bringing farming equipment to the Royal Mile is one way to remind us of our dependence on those who work hard to produce our food.”
Displays of seasonal vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, and pumpkins, were donated by RHASS directors for the service from farms across the country to shine a light on the array of local produce grown in Scotland.
Displays of seasonal vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, and pumpkins, were donated by RHASS directors for the service from farms across the country, to highlight the array of local produce grown in Scotland.
These were in turn donated to various Edinburgh charities to be used to create healthy meals for people in need, including Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, the Grassmarket Community Project and the Salvation Army Hostel.
RHASS
RHASS chair, James Logan, said: “Our role at RHASS is to champion Scotland’s rural community all year around.
“This year farmers have been faced with one of their most challenging harvests to date, after a cool and wet summer, Sunday’s service was a great moment to acknowledge the resilience of those across the industry and to thank our farmers for their continued efforts when faced with such circumstances.
“It also allowed us to express how grateful we are for the wonderful fruits and vegetables that are grown on our doorstep.
“We thank our local farmers for donating items which local Edinburgh charities have now benefited from and to everyone who was able to join us for the service.
“We hope it helped to bring to life the efforts of our farming community who play an essential role in bringing food to our plates every day.”
RHASS is an agricultural charity providing a voice for over 16,000 of its farming members and the host of one of the largest events in the UK agri-calendar each year, the Royal Highland Show.
It funds projects that help advance Scottish agriculture through innovation, wellbeing and sustainable practices. It also funds placements and partner charities and organisations who work in and for the people of rural Scotland.
