Dornoch Highland Gathering 2021 cancelled

Organisers of Dornoch Highland Gathering have announced that the 2021 event will not take place.

It is the second year running that the popular Games have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A Games spokesman said: "Regrettably Dornoch Highland Games will once again not be held in August 2021, but the committee look forward with enthusiasm to next year with locals and visitors from across Europe and North America competing and spectating."

Started in 1887, the Games did not take place during the war years and were also cancelled on one occasion because of torrential rain.

It is not the only important event on the Sutherland calendar to have fallen by the wayside this year.

Sutherland Agricultural Show managers confirmed in February that the show would not take place at Dornoch links on July 24 as had been planned.

Organisers deemed that, even with the easing of lockdown restrictions, it would be inappropriate to encourage a large gathering this summer.

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