Years of poor weather have rained on the parade of a Fife highland games and forced the show to be cancelled.
Cupar Highland Games has been marred by downpours regularly over the last decade, leading to potential spectators staying at home.
The lack of takings at the gate meant that this year the committee was short of cash to stage the annual event, which costs around £15,000.
The decision was taken earlier this week to call off the show, which was due to be held on July 3 at Duffus Park, but it is hoped it will return bigger and better in 2012.
Rosemary Middleton, games secretary, told The Courier, “It was a financial decision, we just couldn’t do it this year. We did get some money from Fife Council but it was not nearly enough.
“For the past few years we have had rain on games day. Our finances come largely from people coming through the gate and they just weren’t coming.
“That wasn’t anything to do with the organisation of the games or the events held, it was simply weather related.”
When the committee met on Tuesday it decided to concentrate on fund-raising for 2012, with the hope it can persuade local people and businesses to dig deep and ensure that Cupar Highland Games remains on the calendar for years to come.
Costs include insurance for the event and prize money for competitors who travel from near and far to take part in piping, Highland dancing, field, track and heavy events.
Mrs Middleton said, “We will certainly be going down every avenue to raise the money we need.”
Had the organisers pressed ahead this year, Mrs Middleton said there was so little money available there was a risk that the event would be killed off for good.
She said, “We decided that if we leave it for a year and build up our bank balance we have more chance of having it again next year.”
Mrs Middleton said there was disappointment among the committee members but they had conceded cancellation was the best move.
She said, “We all work very hard on the committee to get the games up and running but no matter how hard you work, if it rains, what can you do?”
Fife Council said it had given the Cupar games a £1000 community grant, which was similar to funding given in previous years and to other games in the area, including St Andrews and Ceres, and it was unable to increase its support.
Cupar Highland Games, held in association with the Scottish Games Association, were revived in 1979.