Back-up plan for events

Herald going to press – with a further 175 elsewhere in Scotland.

And the teams behind Crieff Highland Gathering and Comrie Fortnight this week stressed they would be keeping an eye on the situation and the people’s safety was their main priority.

Crieff Highland Gathering is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and a lots of entertainment has been lined-up to span the weekend of August 15 and 16 in Market Park.

A spokesperson told the Herald:“We will be closely monitoring the situation as it develops. This situation is unprecedented and we will always take our guidance from the government.

“We are hopeful that as we are relatively late in the season we will get to go ahead, although we are looking at contingency plans should the current situation go beyond the forecast peak in 10 to 14 weeks.

“At the moment the planning and preparation continues so we can deliver the best Games ever. However, as unfortunate as it would be for the Games not to go ahead, our number one priority must be the safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and supporters.

“The important thing now is we all come together as a community to get through these trying times and support each other the best way we can.”

James Stewart, chairman of Comrie Fortnight, said the event’s committee would be taking each month as it comes.

He said:“Our ultimate concern is for our village and its visitors and we will do everything in our power to keep them safe.

Much of the planning for this year’s Fortnight is in situ.

“As a community group that relies on fundraising, we will be diligently controlling our expenditure to ensure that there is no wastage of funds.

“We are hopeful that the Fortnight will be able to go ahead in one form or another as we are sure everyone will be ready for some fun and enjoyment by then. That may mean that we have to cancel our trips further afield but we will attempt to replace them with more local attractions.”

Comrie Fortnight committee also oversees the running of Comrie Community Bus (CoCo Bus) and this week cancelled its major fundraiser – the Bite‘n’ Blether Lunch, which was due to take place at Easter.

Mr Stewart added:“Our apologies to those who look forward to this but I am sure everyone understands and we do hope to reschedule the lunch later in the year.”