Mud from the drenched site of T in the Park would have been found in all parts of the country as thousands of revellers made a mass exodus from the music festival on Monday.
Organisers had to contend with a massive litter pick-up, with some of the surrounding roads near Balado, Kinross-shire, witnessing congestion from buses, minibuses, camper vans and cars taking people home from the scene.
Record numbers of 85,000 descended on T in the Park from Thursday onwards, with just 30 arrests made over the weekend.
More than 800 people visited the hospital tent at the festival, but Geoff Ellis, chief executive officer of organisers DF Concerts, said he was pleased with the event.
”The weather brought us some challenges this weekend,” he admitted. ”But our strong contingency planning and the dedication and hard work of our team and all our partner agencies ensured we could still deliver another excellent event.
”I’d also like to thank the fans for their good humour and their positive attitude. The reason T in the Park is the favourite festival to play for so many bands is because of the unbelievable welcome they always get from our audience.”
And event commander Superintendent Rick Dunkerley, of Tayside Police, said the festival had been ”another outstanding weekend”.
”While crimes are up on last year, this is due to the proactive work of our police officers and the stewards working alongside them in engaging with those attending the event.
”This led to the identification of certain incidents notably drugs offences. Those arrested are a very small minority. The overwhelming majority of people have come to Balado to have a great time and there is little doubt they have succeeded.
”The weather presented us with some challenges, but I believe the determination and positive outlook of the organisers, all the agencies, our police officers and, most importantly, the festival-goers has delivered another terrific T in the Park.”
A total of 810 people visited the hospital tent, 2,148 visited first aid and 33 people were taken to hospital offsite.
Due to the wet conditions, many music fans were still caked in mud as they left the site.
Jamie Martin (20), of Craigie, Perth, said he had enjoyed the festival, but admitted the rain had caused some problems.
”Some parts of the site were like a mudbath,” he told The Courier. ”A lot of people had been worried the festival might be called off, but it wasn’t although it wasn’t much fun ploughing through the mud. I dread to think what the site will look like once everyone has left.”
And Ian Napier (41), of Edinburgh, reported traffic problems.
”The roads were completely congested around Balado,” he said. ”One of the worst was the road going from the Crook of Devon towards Milnathort. And some buses were struggling on the roads.
”I saw one 50-seater trying to turn towards the Drum road and it was having real difficulties.”
He added: ”It was caused by a combination of buses, mini-buses and cars, with the big buses struggling more. I’ve just left the site and there’s lots of litter.”
Some revellers complained of cars being stuck in car parks late on Sunday and into Monday.
However, a police spokesman said there were not serious traffic problems.
”There were a large number of cars leaving the site in the early hours of Monday morning,” she said. ”Tayside Police and the organisers had contingency plans in place, and where necessary, cars were assisted.
”This reduced the impact of traffic and there were no real problems.”Click here to browse the Courier’s photos from throughout the festival