End of an era as Highland Games are cancelled for good
Organisers of the West Lothian Highland Games have announced the popular event will not be held again.
The games – one of the highlights of the calendar for traditional bands, dancers and spectators alike – will not return due to rising costs and dwindling attendance.
Committee members said they have made the difficult decision not to bring the event back. It was last staged in 2019, with the last two events cancelled due to covid.
Rising costs, availability of sponsorship and concerns about potential attendance due to weather and/or covid are the key reasons for the move.
Starting as Bathgate Highland Games in 1972, the event has taken place on the last Saturday in May ever since, attracting families from West Lothian and all over Scotland to enjoy pipe bands, highland dancing, heavy sports and much more.
It hosted the British Pipe Championships for three years, attracting some of the best pipe bands in the world to West Lothian.
Chair of the West Lothian Highland Games Committee Alex Linkston said:“We regret to confirm that West Lothian Highland Games will not be returning.
“Huge thanks go to all the sponsors, committee members and chieftains over the years for their amazing support.
“Our sincere appreciation also goes to all the bands, competitors and everyone who attended the games over the last 50 years for their backing. The costs for staging the games in 2019 were over £30,000, and have grown significantly since then.
“Uncertainty over sponsorship and potential revenue from the event mean that we have made the tough decision that it is not financially viable to bring back West Lothian Highland Games in the current climate.”