The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pandemic sees plug pulled on the Flambeaux
Spectacular Hogmanay tradition cancelled in ‘exceptional circumstances’
A Perthshire village’s world-famous Hogmanay celebration has been cancelled for the first time since the Second World War.
The Comrie Flambeaux, one of Scotland’s oldest and most spectacular New Year traditions, will not go ahead this year.
The pipe band-led procession, complete with flaming torches and costumes, attracts thousands of visitors.
In recent years, it has welcomed famous guests such as astronaut Tim Peake and film star Gerard Butler.
It is not known how the procession began, but it is believed to be based on an ancient pagan celebration.
Committee chairman Hamish Reid said: “Apart from the war years, it is unknown for this age-old Comrie tradition not to have taken place, but these are exceptional circumstances and we look to the future when we can again bring in the New Year in true Comrie tradition.”
Meanwhile, Cupar’s traditional festive opening has also been scrapped.
The Cupar At Christmas group had been hoping to press ahead with the traditional community Christmas switch-on, which had been pencilled in for November 28.
Hundreds of people typically descend on the town centre to see the light display turned on, with a Christmas market and Santa’s grotto among other highlights in the run-up to December 25.
However, in a statement, the group said: “Taking into consideration the government restrictions and for the wellbeing of each and every one of you, this year’s community light switch-on will not be taking place.
“Cupar At Christmas is highly dependent on fundraising events throughout the festive period which enable all costs to be met.
“We are fortunate enough that through the generosity of the community last year, we should still be able to hopefully see the town’s lights being installed for Christmas.
“We are in communication with relevant authorities and are considering the best way to proceed with this.”
The group of volunteers work to raise cash throughout the year to finance the storage, repair or replacement, installation and removal of Cupar’s lighting display and also organise the switch-on celebrations and other events throughout December.
Local councillor Margaret Kennedy described the decision as “very sad” but conceded it had been made on “sensible grounds”, going on to wish the volunteers well in their plans to decorate the town centre.