Organisers of Spectra in Aberdeen have cancelled the final evening of the light festival in the face of “extreme and changeable weather”.
Fans looking to catch one last look at the light spectacular were left short by the decision, which bosses admitted was “disappointing”.
By mid-afternoon, the inflatable tentacles of the creatures from the deep atop Marischal Square had already been packed away.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for high winds until tomorrow morning, as Storm Dennis continues to batter the country.
The cancellation was communicated on Facebook, in a post reading: “We have worked very hard to try and keep Spectra up and running despite Storm Dennis’s efforts, however the safety and enjoyment of our visitors is paramount and unfortunately, due to extreme and changeable weather conditions, we are disappointed to have to cancel this evening’s event.
“In the five years that the festival has been running, we have been very lucky with the weather, however in the face of such extreme conditions we need to prioritise public safety.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to those who came and shared the return of Spectra with us this year.”
Only two hours before announcing the Sunday night cancellation, organisers had seemed hopeful of scheduled events going ahead.
Earlier, they had posted: “We’re watching the weather again but anticipating a full programme tonight”.
Thousands of people have already flocked Aberdeen city centre since Thursday to see the art installations and illuminations.
Artists from across the world have been brought to the north-east from what was planned to be a four-day festival.
Aberdeen City Council culture spokeswoman Marie Boulton said: “We’re very disappointed the last night of Spectra 2020 has been cancelled after a successful return to the city earlier this week.
“Public safety is always our top concern and with the weather expected to worsen, the organisers have taken the sensible choice.
“Aberdeen City Council will hold a full debrief with our partners to ensure any lessons that can be learned are applied to future events but sadly sometimes in Scotland the weather does just get the better of us all.”
The last time Spectra was put on, in 2018, around 100,000 people visited the attractions.
Edinburgh-firm Curated Place is being paid £175,000 a year to organise the event.
