A much loved north-east gala will return this year – but perhaps not as you might expect.
The Peterhead Scottish Week committee “are making every effort” to deliver the popular event to give the community something to look forward to.
They will follow the government’s advice but remain determined to deliver the 59th Scottish Week meaning it might be different to what people know it as.
Graham Barron of Scottish Week said: “It would have been easy just to cancel it altogether and do something instead for the 60th year but we decided against that.
We’re going to look at the situation in a few weeks time and see what guidelines are like then. If possible we can organise some things on the 11th hour if restrictions are lifted but I want to stress that we will absolutely not run anything that would put people’s lives at risk.”
The committee said they will consider the possibility of marking the week virtually if social distancing restrictions are still in place in July.
MP for Banff and Buchan David Duguid is “fully supportive of this, provided all involved comply with any social-distancing instructions that may still apply.”
Mr Duguid said: “The organisers deserve credit for adapting to the current crisis and using technology to hold their committee meeting virtually.”
“It’s a great example of a local community group making the best of a situation while still following the rules.”
The dates and structure of the gala will unfold in the coming weeks. The team will meet again on April 20 to “explore ideas” and hope by then to have further guidance from the government.
Councillor Dianne Beagrie hopes the community will “continue to support” whatever the Peterhead Scottish Week committee decide.
Mrs Beagrie said: “The Scottish week team have made it clear that they are following government guidelines and will shape the event on that basis.
Meanwhile, organisers of one of the best-known music festivals in Scotland have warned that cancellation is looking “more likely”.
Belladrum takes place every year near Beauly, in Inverness-shire, attracting international and local acts to the Thursday to Sunday event at the end of July.
But in a statement, organisers have said that they are in discussions with Highland Council and police and following government advice.
They added: “We are hoping to have an update in the not-too-distant future.
“In the event that Belladrum 2020 is cancelled, which is looking more likely as time progresses, ticket holders will be able to toll their tickets over to the 2021 event.
“Please bear with us wile we are working through this process and as soon as we are able to we will make a public announcement.”
