Hammer blow: Fears for Highland Games as 13 meetings cancelled
THEY are the staple of every Scottish summer, attracting crowds of locals, tourists and royalty to enjoy the feats of strength and sporting prowess on show.
But the future of Highland Games events looks “bleak”, according to organisers who said they expect more to be cancelled in the coming months.
Some 13 games, staged between May and September, have already been called off because of concerns about the potential impact of travel restrictions and social distancing.
Events generated more than
£25 million for the economy each year, with one in four visitors believed to be from overseas.
But games on the Skye, and at Glamis Castle in Angus, Cupar in Fife, Kenmore in Perthshire, Lochcarron in Wester Ross and Tomintoul in Moray have already been called off.
Ian Grieve, secretary of the Scottish Highland Games Association, which oversees more than 60 events, described the situation as “difficult” for organisers.
Members face looming deadlines to decide whether to commit resources for events without knowing how financially viable they will be if audience numbers are capped.
Mr Grieve 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 13 events cancelled and we’re not even out of February.
“I would expect to see a few more cancel 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 this 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.
Last year was the first time since the Second World War that games on Skye have been called off.
A statement from the Isle of Skye Highland Games said: “Although things are hopefully improving, there can be no guarantee as to what the situation will be like in August.
“Apart from the two world wars, our Games have never had to be cancelled until last year, but these are difficult times and the health and wellbeing of our community has to be our main priority.”
The first historical reference to Highland Games-type events in Scotland was made during the reign of King Malcolm III (1057-1093) when he summoned men to race up Creag Choinnich, near Braemar, to find a royal messenger.
The games are said to have become a way of choosing the most ablest men for the clan chieftain’s household, but it wasn’t just brute strength that was determined. Musicians and dancers were also sought to add prestige to the clan.
The Ceres Games in Fife are considered the oldest, continuous Highland Games and began in 1314.
They continue to thrive more than 700 years after the King of Scots, Robert The Bruce, granted a charter for the village to hold a market and
fair to acknowledge the farmers, labourers, craftsmen and “the small folk” who fought at the Battle of Bannockburn.
The Cowal Highland Gathering has long claimed to be the biggest games in the world.
The Braemar Gathering attracts about 10,000 spectators a day, with the Queen a loyal attendee.
A statement from Strathmore Highland Games, staged at Glamis Castle, said: “Having studied the most recent Scottish Government guidelines for large events, we are in no doubt this is the only responsible action we can take.”
I really don’t know if any will happen this year. It’s looking pretty bleak