Loch Lomond Highland games cancelled after council funding withdrawn

The Loch Lomond Highland games have been cancelled after funding was cut by the local authority.

Organisers of the historic event were forced to abandon their plans for 2024 after West Dunbartonshire Council withdrew grant funding.

The event organisers said it was with “great disappointment” they were scrapping the event that was scheduled to take place on July 13.

In a post to social media, the organisers confirmed the “difficult” decision after the cuts “significantly” affected their budget.

“The recent announcement from West Dunbartonshire Council regarding funding cuts, affected our budget significantly to hold the games this year.

“Although this is disappointing, we are now planning and looking to secure additional funding to bring back the highland games in 2025,” a spokesperson for the games said.

The event takes place every year at Moss O’ Balloch Park and showcases a range of traditional Highland sports.

Since it first launched in 1967, the games attract more than 9,000 people from around the world each year.

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire council said that they were facing a significant financial challenge in trying to close a £17m budget gap while protecting jobs.

They added: “We are sorry to hear the event will not be going ahead this year.

“The Council is facing a significant financial challenge and had to take steps to close a £17m budget gap while protecting essential services and jobs.

“Event organisers are aware that the decision to withdraw grant funding did not alter the Council’s other support to the event including infrastructure, facilities and staffing and they have been signposted to support to obtain external funding or sponsorship.”