Perth Highland Games has been cancelled after torrential rain left the Lesser South Inch like “a ploughed field”.
The last minute announcement — the games were due to take place on Sunday — was met with widespread disappointment.
However, it was felt that the state of the site after the recent rain during last weekend’s Perth Show left organisers with little option but to cancel.
The council had offered the main South Inch as an alternative, but the games’ organisers didn’t feel it was a suitable venue for the event which regularly attracts crowds of more than 5,000 people.
In an announcement the organisers said: “It is with much regret that we announce the cancellation of this year’s Perth Highland Games.
“Unfortunately, the Lesser South Inch (where we were due to have the games) is completely out of commission, and due to a lack of a suitable alternative venue, the difficult decision was made to cancel, following a site visit by the games committee.
“We hope to see you all next year for the 2018 games, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that an alternative venue had been offered, but turned down.
“We are very disappointed to hear the news today that the Perth Highland Games will not go ahead this weekend,” they said.
“We are aware that it would be difficult to stage the event in light of recent wet weather conditions and following the impact of an event held the previous weekend.
“Officers from the council met with the organisers of the Perth Highland Games on Monday to offer an alternative venue, which was considered by the Perth Highland Games Committee to be unsuitable.”
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said the games, which is a major boost to the local economy, will be sadly missed.
“I am really disappointed to hear that the Perth Highland Games has been cancelled due to the damage caused to the South Inch by recent events and the particularly poor weather we have been having,” he said, describing it as “one of the most popular events in the highland games calendar”.
Perth stage and television actress Lorna Craig had been due to take on the role of chieftain of the highland games which would have featured highland dancing, heavyweight events, tug-o’-war, cycling and pipe bands.
