Penicuik Hunter & Lass postponed by Covid again

Organisers of the popular festival, which runs for two weeks in May, have had to take the heartbreaking decision to call off this year’s event, with the deadly virus still leading to record daily deaths across the UK this month.

It is hoped however that some online events will be held to mark the Hunter and Lass festival this year.

In a joint statement, the festival’s organisers said: “Penicuik Hunter & Lass, the Rotary Club of Penicuik and Penicuik on Parade have to make the unfortunate announcement that collectively we have decided to postpone this year’s festival again.

“We have reached this decision due to the ongoing Covid situation, taking public safety into account and the belief by May we will still not be allowed large gatherings.

“We do still hope to provide some online community events during the week to get families involved.

“Fingers crossed we can put on a fantastic festival in 2022.”

Last year’s event was cancelled in March, as the coronavirus spread across the UK and the country went into its first national lockdown.

Although the vaccine rollout is gathering pace, it is still not clear when any sense of normality will return, and the postponement of the Penicuik festival could be the first of many call-offs across Midlothian this year. This comes after all summer events were cancelled last year.