Games season gradually being totally wiped out

Up until Sunday, 20 of the 59 members have decided to pull the plug as the uncertainty of the coronavirus continues.

The Fife games affected so far are those at Markinch, Cupar and Ceres.

The SHGA season runs from mid-May until mid-September and already most of the games scheduled for May, June and even a few as far as mid July have been cancelled.

A Highland games takes months to organise and many committees whose games are in the early part of the season feel it is not worth starting putting in all the work then having to cancel nearer the time which then creates a logistical nightmare.

Many of the later scheduled games which include those in Thornton, St Andrews, Burntisland and Inverkeithing will be holding off to see if the situation improves.

“Hopefully it’s not the case but I feel they may be just delaying the inevitable,” said Shane Fenton, who is heavily involved in games season and is secretary of the Markinch Games.

“With the current government social distancing regulations in place many games cannot even hold their regular committee meetings now, others don’t have the appetite at this time to carry on with the normal organising of their events.

“Crowds are also expected to take a hit, games attract many overseas visitors and who knows what the travel situation will be in the coming months. It’s an unprecedented situation for all those involved in the organisation of Highland Games.”