Well, this month's Truckfest Scotland weekend extravaganza provides a perfect opportunity to see, touch and feel Euro 4 on a variety of brand new tractor units exhibited by those manufacturers following the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) route to Euro 4 emissions achievement, but don't mention extra tanks on the MAN ERF and Scania stands where the catch phrase is 'Add Nothing' thanks to their Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) solution.

However the next layer of emission controls on the horizon and all that entails is not the only novel feature of Truckfest Scotland 2006. For many, the biggest truck show north of the border will provide a first sighting of the dreaded digital tachograph, smart cards and the intricacies of how it all works. On this occasion ask a road haulage operator for an opinion!

In addition there's the usual line up of liveried vehicles - even more this year and, we understand, lots of newcomers from the Inverness area.

This year also sees a new exhibitor, Hino, who will be sponsoring the best tipper/rigid category in the prestigious livery competition.

Model truck aficionados will be well catered for, with exhibits from Corgi and Search Impex and of course no Truckfest would be complete without the voice of BBC 2's Sally Traffic and a sprinkling of TV celebs including Richard Fleeshman (Craig Harris from Coronation Street) and Ben Richards (Bruno from Footballers Wives). The personalities will be sponsored by Volvo who also splash out with a free breakfast on the Sunday morning for the overnighters.

UK truck tyre manufacturer Michelin will be augmenting the groovy Royal Highland Showground backdrop music with their own regrooving message, pulling in Mr Bibendum for a pole dance no doubt.

Once again Transport News is sponsoring the 'Best Scottish Working Truck' livery competition. Also supporting the show for 2006 will be Driver Hire, who will be signing drivers and offering job opportunities at the event.

DAF Trucks will be sponsoring Truckfest FM which will broadcast throughout the weekend and the main arena that will be the scene of numerous displays and the daily parade of new trucks is sponsored by East of Scotland Iveco dealer AM Phillip.

Truckfest Scotland is held at Ingliston, Edinburgh, on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August. For further details or to book tickets, check out the Truckfest website at www.truckfest.co.uk or contact Live Promotions Ltd on 01775 768661. There is also a 24 hour ticket sales hotline on 0870 121 1223 (closes 1 August).

The Scottish National Committee of the SOE/IRTE will be repeating their Sunday lecture programme in the Highland Hall, beginning with MAN ERF discussing the EGR system and new products at 10.30am, followed one hour later by 'Fire Engines Past and Present' presented by John Taylor from Lancashire Fire & Rescue.

Lectures are free when at the show and membership of the SOE is not required. To register, email mcmillan23@supanet.net