Scots balloon festival cancelled on 25th anniversary due to Hurricane Ernesto

A popular Scottish balloon festival has been cancelled on its 25th anniversary due to adverse weather caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto.

Organisers of the Strathaven Balloon Festival said they were “devastated” to take the decision to cancel the event due to heavy rain and strong winds.

The event at Strathaven Park was due to celebrate its 25th anniversary this weekend, but a yellow weather warning has forced it to be cancelled over safety fears for visitors, pilots and other guests.

Concerns were raised that gazebos and stalls could blow away amid heavy gusts and that the winds would be “too strong” for safe flying of hot air balloons.

Organisers said they had been working for almost a year to plan the event with final arrangements being made this week.

A post on Facebook read: “We have been keeping a close eye on the weather all this week in the hope that things would improve.

“However the priority of the organisers is the safety of all visitors, pilots, stallholders, musicians, volunteers and everyone else who is involved with the committee.

“The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is heavy rain and winds that are too strong for safe flying or tethering, with low cloud cover that would stop the parachutists from jumping.

“The winds are also forecast to be at the limits for market stalls and gazebos. We have already had to abandon plans for one park and ride site leaving us with only two.

“Without Balloons there is no Strathaven Balloon Festival.”

The statement added: “On the basis of the forecasts, and to give as much notice to everyone as possible, we met tonight and took the reluctant decision to cancel the 2024 Strathaven Balloon Festival.

“We are devastated to have had to do this and we apologise to everyone who was looking forward to a great weekend to balloons, funfair, live music and much more.

“We look forward to next year in the hope of better weather and we can assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly.

“We will celebrate the 25th anniversary next year in style. As we said the safety of everyone involved in our unique festival is our absolute priority.”