THE popular Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival has been postponed until September next year, organisers have announced.

The event which brings visitors and locals together for a feast of food and drink, was scheduled for September 4 and 5 this year, and organisers Loch Lomond Shores were hopeful that with the Scottish Government easing lockdown measures the festival could still go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the event holders have now confirmed that they are unable to put protective health measures to ensure public safety in place for this year’s festival and has been put off until next September.

A small two day outdoor market will now take the festival’s place, with local sellers hoisting up their stalls for the public.

Loch Lomond Shores will now be looking to the future to make 2021 the year of local festivals, starting with Springfest this upcoming April.

Speaking about the decision, Audrey Calder from Loch Lomond Shores explained: “We’ve been working closely with all the relevant agencies and authorities over the past few months to come up with a safe solution so we could host this popular festival. Unfortunately, this would have meant that a lot of popular aspects of the festival wouldn’t be able to take place and, this would impact heavily on festival goer’s enjoyment and, having hosted two great food festivals last year, that’s the last thing we want to do.”

“Instead of the festival, we will be hosting a two day outdoor market on September 4 and 5 featuring fresh local produce and lots of tempting treats to celebrate the end of the Scottish Food Fortnight.

“We’ll also provide a ‘virtual flavour’ of the festival online via our website lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk with more news on that coming soon.”