The organisers of Scotland’s largest Loony Dook, which takes place at South Queensferry, have been forced to cancel the event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The event, held in the shadow of the iconic three bridges, would not take place on January 1st as scheduled, disappointed Scots were told today.
Hundreds of brave revellers traditionally shake off the cobwebs by diving head first into the freezing Firth of Forth on New Year’s morning, reports the Record.
People in brightly-coloured costumes travel from all over the world to take part in the famous event – but this year will see the beaches empty at South Queensferry.
The ‘uncertainty of the ongoing coronavirus crisis has caused organisers to pull the plug.
In a statement, the organiser said: “It won't come as a surprise but sadly there will be no Loony Dook on 1 January 2021.
“This of course is due to the huge uncertainty about the progress of the Covid-19 crisis.
“I look forward to the event returning in January 2022.”
The Loony Dook is the latest winter tradition to face the axe. Edinburgh’s world famous Hogmanay Street Party has also been canned and tickets withdrawn from sale.
More than 75,000 revellers normally descend on the capital’s city centre for an evening of music, dancing and drinking.
The organisers, Underbelly, announced in July that the celebrations “cannot take place in its current form in 2020”.
