After twenty-three years the organisers of the biggest festival in Scotland, T in the Park have announced a ‘break’ for the festival. Following many setbacks and tragedies over the last few years, primarily two drug-related deaths last year, as well as one rape and a stolen cash machine, it is unsurprising that the organisers have made this decision.
The press release on their website confirms the ‘break’ thanking the festival-goers for their support for the festival, but explaining how circumstance has prevented the continuation of the event next year.
The move to the new location, Perthshire in 2015 began the onslaught of troubles for the festival; with complaints in regards to traffic and accessibility being high on the list. The team attempted to correct these issues for 2016, and access for the most part became vastly improved. The organisers also formed a stellar line up from headliners to unsigned acts in attempt to attract back the audiences, however it was not enough to prevent this break.
Within the press release, the limitations of the new location, are explained, reading: “As the build up to the festival was well underway we were informed by Scottish Government Ministers that we would have to apply for full Planning Permission due to the presence of an unregistered, but protected in law, osprey’s nest. The constraints – logistically and financially – that the resulting planning conditions put upon us are simply not workable.”
Although stating that the organisers are taking a year out to “take stock”, it has not yet been confirmed whether this break is for a year only. However, rumours are circulating about the organisers hosting another music event in Scotland, but this is yet to be confirmed.
You can read the full press release for yourself here. Check out highlights of last year’s festival below:
