Scottish visitors in hotel dilemma

The Mid-Argyll Pipe Band and Young Choir of Dalriada, along with additional guests and artists, were booked into the Highways for the first weekend in September in order to attend the annual Broadisland Gathering in Ballycarry.

Festival director, Dr David Hume, said that the event organisers were shocked and disappointed to hear the news on Friday morning.

“It is extremely likely that in order to keep the groups together they will have to book outside the borough and in addition to the loss of revenue locally, this will also be an inconvenience for the festival organisers,” he added.

"We had planned a number of events in the Larne area for the groups in addition to the Gathering, and now this will have to be reconsidered owing to time factors and distance.

"We are very concerned that these groups will be able to recoup any deposits which were paid and are endeavouring to find more information.”