Loony Dook chiefs plunged into row over ‘profiteering’
Backlash after organisers Underbelly say today’s event is sold out
Nativity scene axed two days after Christmas Daily Mail, December 31
IT’S a silly – and chilly – New Year’s Day tradition which has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
But organisers of this year’s Loony Dook have been accused of ‘profiteering’ and locals were denied entry because the event had ‘sold out’.
Underbelly is already under fire for felling the city’s Christmas tree on December 27 to make way for advertising, and making residents apply for ‘passes’ to celebrate Hogmanay in their own home.
In addition, the company, which runs the Loony Dook on behalf of Edinburgh City Council, angered church leaders and locals by removing a Nativity scene, also just two days after Christmas.
Critics say there are now ‘questions’ over the £10 Loony Dook admission fee and Underbelly’s decision to dictate numbers taking part in the event, which takes place on the beach at South Queensferry, West Lothian.
South Queensferry Lib Dem councillor Kevin Lang said: ‘This is yet another area where an operator is looking to make a profit from what has always been a community fund-raising event.
‘For good health and safety reasons it does need to be managed, but there is a question over whether it is appropriate for a private company to be looking to make a profit out of the goodwill of those taking part for charity.’
The Loony Dook was first conceived as a Ne’erday hangover cure by locals in a pub more than 30 years ago.
It has since become a huge charity event which sees revellers take to the icy Firth of Forth in fancy dress.
Participants – known as ‘Dookers’ – march the length of South Queensferry High Street as part of the Dookers’ Parade before launching themselves into the sea in the shadow of the iconic Forth Bridge.
Last year, a capacity 1,100 people from around the world took part in the event. However, locals hoping to join in this year went on social media yesterday to complain after being told the event was full.
Tony Reekie posted: ‘Edinburgh is officially through the looking glass. The Loony Dook is “sold out”. I’m just taking the dog down to the beach. Better check it’s not been sold out.’
Would-be Dooker Dave McGregor wrote: ‘Since when did Underbelly own the Loony Dook?’
Edinburgh Council deputy leader Cammy Day said: ‘In 2011 a fee was charged for the first time and the fee has now been unchanged since 2016.
‘No new arrangements or fees are in place this year, and spectators are welcome to cheer on the Dookers at various vantage points along the route.’
A spokesman for Underbelly said £1 of the charge goes to fund the RNLI lifeboat which covers the event, and there is a cash prize of £250 for the fancy dress parade winner’s chosen charity.