Organisers across the north have been forced to pull the plug on a series of upcoming festivals and major events as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Two people have tested positive for the virus in the Highlands and 15 in Shetland, as the number of confirmed cases across Scotland yesterday rose from 153 to 171.
A string of highly anticipated events have been postponed or abandoned as those behind them have heeded the advice of Scottish Government ministers to avoid gatherings of more than 500 people in an effort to delay the spread of the virus.
The Etape Loch Ness has been postponed until later in the year, while organisers of the Six Day Trial in Fort William have cancelled the week-long event.
The major Lochaber motorcycle race was due to take place between May 4 and May 9, following the Pre’65 Scottish trials in Kinlochleven on May 1 and 2.
The decision to cancel all motorcycle sporting events until the end of May, while necessary, will come as a significant blow to competitors, fans and the local economy.
In a statement, Pete Bremner, chairman of the Edinburgh and District MC said: “Following advice from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Autocycle Union have cancelled all motorcycle sporting events up to May 31.
“Competitors who have entered the events will be contacted shortly to advise on refunded fees.”
Looking further ahead, Highland Council has taken the decision to cancel a series of popular events due to take place in July.
They include Inverness Highland Games, the Highlands Strongest Man and Strongest Woman events, the Provosts Cup Football Tournament and Highland Pride.
Councillor Graham Ross, chairman of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group, said “It is extremely regrettable that it has been necessary to cancel the Games weekend due to the current outbreak of coronavirus.
“We will be monitoring the developing situation closely in the months ahead and we look forward to resuming our city’s events programme when it is safe to do so.”
The Etape Loch Ness was to have taken place on Sunday, April 26, but is now to take place on Sunday, September 13.
Event Director Malcolm Sutherland from Caledonian Concepts said: “We are understandably very disappointed to have to postpone as we know the many hours of training and planning that go into taking part in an event like this and that many will have raised significant amounts for charity.
“We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support from government agencies, the local authority, the emergency services and our community and tourism partners at this challenging time.
“It is now full steam ahead with the planning for the new date and look forward to welcoming participants to beautiful Loch Ness in September and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for our official charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.”
In Moray, Forres Live, which was due to take place on May 9, has also been postponed.
Organiser Gerry Verner said the cancellation was “devastating” but “the right thing to do”.
“This has been tough but with the date looming and everything so uncertain at the moment we have taken the decision to postpone,” he said.
“Our plan of action is to issue everyone with full refunds and then reassess the event for next May.”
Meanwhile, a planned commemoration to mark the 75th anniversary of the Second World War Russian Arctic Convoys has also been re-scheduled.
A worldwide appeal to find convoy veterans or their families will continue ahead of the event, now to take place on Saturday, September 26.
More than 20 veterans, including one who lives in New Zealand, had confirmed they would take part in the event on May 16, at Loch Ewe, Wester Ross, a gathering point for many of the convoys and now the site of the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum.
Over 200 families of the surviving and deceased heroes were also to attend, along with four Russian World War veterans and a number of dignitaries.
Event coordinator John Casson, co chairman of the Russian Arctic Convoy Project, which runs an exhibition centre at Aultbea, said: “We are extremely disappointed to postpone the 75th anniversary event after so much time and effort has gone into organising the commemoration in May.
“However, circumstances mean we have no alternative to re-arranging the event.
“We must put the health of our veterans, their families and friends at the forefront of our thinking and do everything we can to help protect them.
“In the meantime, we will continue to seek convoy veterans and their families, so we have an opportunity to thank them in person for their incredible wartime efforts at the re-scheduled event.”
Veterans or their families wishing to attend the event should contact John Casson at johncasson@johncasson.com.