A Highland Perthshire village’s bonfire night events have had to be cancelled because they have become too popular.
Increasing numbers have been making their way Grandtully’s picturesque surroundings each year to enjoy its bonfire and fireworks display.
It has been a huge hit with families who have flocked to the Recreation Ground to enjoy the festivities.
That success has apparently caught organisers off-guard, however, as they have now fallen foul of health and safety legislation.
The revelation came as a surprise to those involved as significant work had already been undertaken and a number of volunteers had come forward.
Organisers said it was “with regret” the decision to cancel this year’s Grandtully Bonfire and Fireworks night had been taken.
The event will have to take a year’s break before hopefully returning in 2019.
“Attendance has grown and it is now classified as a ‘large’ public event,” organisers said in a statement to the village.
“This has created significant additional work to demonstrate licence, legal, health and safety and trading standards compliance as required by the authorities.
“Unfortunately it has not been possible at this stage to resolve all of the outstanding issues to make the event safe.
“Thanks to everyone who has already spent time or who has offered to help on the night.”
SNP Councillor Mike Williamson has played his part in helping the event to grow over the years and said he was extremely disappointed to hear of the cancellation.
“The council and I have been making efforts to help the organisers of the Grandtully event in recent weeks and had arranged traffic cones and to pay the cost of temporary road traffic orders.
“I think the demands of putting a traffic management plan in place have just proved too much on this occasion.
“It is such a shame as no one wants to lose such fantastic and well attended events from the calendar.
“The Grandtully Bonfire and Fireworks Night is very successful. People put so much effort into getting these events of the ground, organising them and fundraising for them.
“I would hope that the event will return next year. The council’s door is always open to anyone wanting help and advice with events.”
