Organisers of the West Lothian Highland Video games have introduced the favored occasion won't be held once more.
The video games – one of many highlights of the calendar for conventional bands, dancers and spectators alike – won't return as a consequence of rising prices and dwindling attendance.
Committee members mentioned they've made the troublesome choice to not carry the occasion again. It was final staged in 2019, with the final two occasions cancelled as a consequence of covid.
Rising prices, availability of sponsorship and issues about potential attendance as a consequence of climate and/or covid are the important thing causes for the transfer.
Beginning as Bathgate Highland Video games in 1972, the occasion has taken place on the final Saturday in Might ever since, attracting households from West Lothian and throughout Scotland to get pleasure from pipe bands, highland dancing, heavy sports activities and way more.
It hosted the British Pipe Championships for 3 years, attracting a few of the greatest pipe bands on the earth to West Lothian.
Chair of the West Lothian Highland Video games Committee Alex Linkston mentioned: “We remorse to substantiate that West Lothian Highland Video games won't be returning.
“Big thanks go to all of the sponsors, committee members and chieftains over time for his or her superb help.
“Our honest appreciation additionally goes to all of the bands, rivals and everybody who attended the video games during the last 50 years for his or her backing. The prices for staging the video games in 2019 had been over £30,000, and have grown considerably since then.
“Uncertainty over sponsorship and potential income from the occasion
imply that we now have made the robust choice that it's not financially viable to carry again West Lothian Highland Video games within the present local weather.”
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