Dismay as Games are called off second time
Callander Highland Games has been cancelled for the second year in a row.
Organisers this week confirmed the popular summer event would not take place in 2019 after they failed to source funds and a suitable venue.
In recent years the games have been organised by Callander and District Round Table.
News of this year’s cancellation was given on the Callander Highland Games Facebook page.
They posted: “We don’t have the games just now because we need a decent size field to host it and for car parking and also we need a major sponsor to come in and support it. We only have limited funds and if the weather is against us, as it was two years ago, we don’t cover costs and it falls back on the Round Table members, of which there are only six now, to cover it.
“It’s a shame that we cannot get a field and there are groups with money that could help but are unwilling. Callander Community Council, with their Airtricity money, has been very supportive to our cause and we thank them for that support.
“A 16–acre field is required to do the games properly and we are still looking and hoping to attract funding, but until such time I’m afraid we cannot put on games costing upwards of £11,000. That is the reality. Having been involved in the games for over 25 years in Callander I’m more than disappointed.” It’s understood that work is underway to try and find a new and suitable location but that would not be for a few years, if at all.
Round Table members were unable to stage last year’s games as a result of a cash shortage which arose when torrential rain badly affected the 2017 games.
Heavy showers saw a dramatic drop in attendance at the event staged at Lagrannoch Park in July, 2017.
Some stallholders refused to enter the field for fear of becoming stuck in the mud and several stalls had to be towed off the site.