Lights out as Spectra falls victim to storm

Organisers of Spectra in Aberdeen were yesterday forced to cancel their final night due to the “extreme and changeable weather”.

Fans looking to catch one last look at the light spectacular were caught out by the decision, which bosses admitted was “disappointing”.

By mid-afternoon, the inflatable tentacles of the creatures from the deep atop Marischal Square had already been packed away.

The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for high winds to continue until this morning, as Storm Dennis continues to batter the country.

In a post online, the Spectra team wrote: “We have worked very hard to try and keep Spectra up and running despite Storm Dennis’s efforts. However, the safety and enjoyment of our visitors is paramount and unfortunately, due to extreme and changeable weather conditions, we are disappointed to have to cancel.

“In the five years that the festival has been running, we have been very lucky with the weather. However in the face of such extreme conditions we need to prioritise public safety.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to those who came and shared the return of Spectra with us this year.”

Thousands of people have already flocked to Aberdeen city centre since Thursday to see the art installations and illuminations.

Artists from across the world have been brought to the north-east for the spectacular.

Aberdeen City Council culture spokeswoman Marie Boulton said: “We’re very disappointed the last night of Spectra 2020 has been cancelled after a successful return to the city earlier this week.

“Public safety is always our top concern and, with the weather expected to worsen, the organisers have taken the sensible choice.

“Aberdeen City Council will hold a full debrief with our partners to ensure any lessons that can be learned are applied to future events but sadly sometimes in Scotland the weather does just get the better of us all.”

Edinburgh-firm Curated Place is being paid £175,000 a year to organise the event.

Photographs by Scott Baxter Thousands have flocked to the city centre to see the Spectra lights show.