A HIGHLAND games event has been cancelled while a large wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park continues to burn.
It was announced on Sunday that Abernethy Highland Games would not go ahead because the local community centre is still being used by the emergency services and many of the event’s volunteers have been involved in efforts to stop the fire.
More than 500 firefighters have been tackling the blaze which has raged in the national park for the past 11 days and forced the evacuation of homes in the remote region.
The UK Government is set to assist in the response with military aid being sent after residents in the highland village of Nethy Bridge were given evacuation orders on Friday night due to the nearby wildfire.
On Saturday night, Police Scotland said the fire is no longer being considered a major incident after work to contain it reduced the risk to nearby communities.
However, Abernethy Highland Games organisers said with “no end point in sight”, the decision had been made to cancel the August 8 event.
“It is with great sadness and deep regret that given the ongoing wildfire and its response, the Abernethy Highland Games 2026 have today been cancelled,” organisers said in a post on social media.
“The community centre is still in full use by the emergency services, with no end point in sight.
“Many of our volunteers for the Games have been actively involved in fighting the fire over many hours and days.”
Organisers added: “Our thanks to all the firefighters and other emergency service personnel, game keepers, volunteers, machinery operators and everyone else who has been involved over the past 12 days.”
Held annually on the second Saturday of August on the Games Field in the centre of Nethy Bridge, the Abernethy Highland Games are one of the oldest traditional games in Scotland, according to organisers.
It features a Chieftain’s Parade and children’s races, as well as traditional competitions such as Highland dancing, piping and drumming, athletics, a road race, tug of war, tossing the caber and other heavy throwing events.
Last year almost 4000 people attended, and organisers said the games will be back on Saturday August 14 2027.
