Bosses at a popular Highland adventure park claim they had ‘no option’ but to close for two days as a result of a Scottish Government decision to shut all ‘fairground rides’ in Scotland.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge was given clearance to begin operating last Tuesday.
But on Monday of this week, environment health staff from Highland Council told management they had to shut down some of the rides once more following Scottish Government regulations on fairgrounds.
The decision resulted in the park’s Rollercoaster and Wild Water Coaster rides being taken out of action.
And despite having an array of other attractions, the sudden decision’s impact on capacity measures at Landmark left bosses with ‘no option’ other than to announce a two-day closure.
The park will reopen to visitors on Friday.
A spokesman said: “It is with huge disappointment that due to the Scottish Government’s interpretation of funfairs and fairgrounds in their Covid-19 legislation we have to announce the closure, for the time being, of the water coaster and the rollercoaster at Landmark.
“This is particularly disappointing given the fact we have been operating under strict Covid-19 safety measures for these attractions since July 15.
“Given that the rollercoaster and watercoaster have a large ability to ‘process’ visitors and we have now lost some of that capacity, this presented us with a serious visitor management problems in the park.
“As we have large numbers pre-booked, and we have not yet put in place similar capacity attractions, we would have had crowding problems in certain areas, which is unacceptable.
“I hope that everyone will understand that this is entirely due to circumstances outwith our control.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We understand the difficulties businesses face, however it is imperative that we continue to supress the spread of the virus, in order to maintain the progress we have made to date.
“We are therefore asking all local authorities to recommend that operators ensure that fairground-type rides are closed, regardless of their location.”
Alan Yates, Highland Council’s environmental health manager, said: “Our Service received updated Scottish Government advice on funfairs.
“The advice indicated that as a result of work undertaken on the operation of funfairs, the Scottish Government had a better understanding of the levels of transmission risk associated with the use of fairground rides, including those in non-funfair locations.
“The Scottish Government is now recommending that fairground rides in locations outwith funfairs should also now remain closed.
“While our service understands the impact of this advice and the frustration arising as a result of the changes in guidance, it is important from a public health perspective that it is acted upon.
“Our service is very grateful for the co-operation of Landmark in this respect and will continue to liaise closely with them in the coming weeks in order that they can re-open the rides when Scottish Government guidance permits.”
