Musical, literary and theatrical events all forced off by outbreak

Comedian Jimmy Carr has postponed his Aberdeen tour dates due to coronavirus.

Last night, Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) confirmed tonight and tomorrow’s shows will be rearranged for August.

Organisers have been asked by the Scottish Government to cancel gatherings of more than 500 people from today in an effort to relieve pressure on emergency services.

An APA spokeswoman warned “many” other events planned for its His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall venues would also be put off – but stressed smaller performances would still go ahead.

She added: “Many of our events will be affected immediately by this announcement and show cancellations will be inevitable at His Majesty’s Theatre and the Music Hall.

“Smaller-scale shows in His Majesty’s Theatre and the Music Hall will not be affected and at the Lemon Tree, due to the small-scale capacity of the venue and therefore the programme will go ahead as planned.”

Last night’s announcement came as one of the Highlands’ top book festivals was cancelled due to Covid-19.

A group of leading crime writers, headed by Val McDermid, had been due to headline Ullapool Book Festival in May.

But organisers have announced that it is with “sore hearts” that they had taken the “very hard decision” to cancel.

Joan Michael, festival chairwoman, said: “We are devastated at having to do this but the safety of our writers, musicians and chairs, the audience members, UBF volunteers and indeed our community really has to take precedence.

“But we will be back in 2021 – our 16th festival has just been postponed for a year.”

Refunds are being organised for those who have bought early bird tickets.

Smaller community events are also casualties of the escalating crisis.

Beauly Cares announced it has stopped a number of activities including its minibus trips, men’s shed and community garden sessions and the senior citizen’s Friday afternoon sessions.

Lochaber Music Festival also announced the cancellation of their concert at Lochaber High School on Thursday.

Inverness Athletic FC has decided to postpone its annual sportsman’s dinner, while the Bones and Stars event at Cromarty Lighthouse next week has also been called off.

In Stornoway the Failte Centre has discontinued its Thursday lunch club for the time being, saying: “We have taken advice on the current Covid-19 situation and have decided that as we are all in the age group most at risk from the virus we will be discontinuing our Thursday lunches.”