Bleak outlook for this year’s games
The secretary of the Scottish Highland Games Association has warned the situation looks “pretty bleak” for events to take place in Perth and Kinross this year.
Ian Grieve was speaking after the traditional curtain-raiser was cancelled for the second year running.
Organisers of Blackford Highland Games have confirmed the event will not take place as planned in May.
Mr Grieve described the situation as “difficult”.
He said: “We thought we would just write-off the whole season last year and everything would be back to normal in 2021.
“But I really don’t know if any will happen this year. It’s looking pretty bleak already with events cancelled and we’re only just out of February.
“I’d expect to see a few more cancelled in the next month, especially those due to happen in May and June.
“Later ones will maybe hang fire until April before they start committing expenditure.
“Each will have their own cut-off point, but there was nothing at all in the first minister’s announcement last week about mass gatherings.
“We just need to keep our fingers crossed that the combination of the lockdown we’ve been in and the vaccine makes things a bit more manageable.
“But it’s all very difficult for everyone at the moment.”
The association - which oversees more than 60 events – has confirmed no leagues will run in 2021 and no awards will be made – meaning the annual end-of-season ceremony will also not take place.
In addition, the 2021 yearbook will not be printed as a result of the ongoing uncertainty.
Championship events due to be held in 2021 will be carried over to 2022 and be organised by the members who were due to host them this year.
Athletes will not be charged any registration fees if any events do go ahead this year, according to the association.
The traditional showpiece at Blackford was due to be held in the village on Saturday, May 29.
Hopes had been high that normal service would resume in 2021 after last year’s edition was called-off in what would have been Blackford’s 150th year, as a result of COVID-19 outbreak restrictions.
But Blackford Highland Games president Stuart Laing said: “In its 150-year history, our games has never had to contend with such a devastating public emergency, and that includes two world wars.
“Blackford will return next year on Saturday, May 28, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, volunteers, competitors and, of course, the public who make Blackford so successful.”
Secretary David Robertson added: “With the current pandemic still imposing major restrictions and probably well into the rest of the year, we cannot in all conscience allow our games to go ahead.
“The Scottish Highland Games Association has cancelled all championship events this year and some 14-plus member games have already abandoned their events, some of which were to be held in July.”
It’s looking pretty bleak already with events cancelled and we’re only just out of February