Washout as Highland games cancelled again

stage the games by the time you weigh up everything.

“By cancelling early on we still have sufficient funds available for next year.

“If we had cancelled on Saturday once everything had arrived on site, it would be exceedingly doubtful if there would ever be another Perth Highland Games.

“The money raised from entry forms and trade stands is a very small amount, only about £6000.

“So you are relying on the paying public, and through that we need to raise about £24,000, and in bad weather it is very unlikely we would make our money back.”

The organisers, who would also have been responsible for reinstating the land after the event, have been working hard for the past 12 months to stage the event, but said it was a health and safety concern to plough ahead with the games, particularly for cyclists and athletes competing on a muddy track.

Brian added there is also “no doubt” cars parking next to the showground would have got stuck in the mud.

Thousands were expected to descend on Scone Palace over the weekend to enjoy the games, with some visitors coming from as far away as the USA to see the annual spectacle.

Pipers from all over the world were also due to perform on Sunday, including bands from New Zealand and Malaysia.

Brian continued: “The games were part of the itinerary for many people on holiday here, and there were a lot of foreign bands coming to play here ahead of the world championships next weekend.

“The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has already contacted the bands from New Zealand and Malaysia, so they have time to organise somewhere else to perform they will always be in demand.

“This was a decision no one wanted to take.”

Unfortunately the games committee said they are unable to change the date or the location of the event as their licence was for Scone Palace and a new one would take 21 days to process.

The event also has a firm slot in Scotland’s wider Highland games programme making changing the date difficult.

Planning for the 2020 event, again at Scone Palace, is due to start next month.

All tickets that have been prebooked online via Eventbrite will be refunded.