FEARS that the Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering would be scrapped this year have been abated.

The Advertiser can reveal that work to tackle drainage problems on the event site at Howie Memorial Park has started.

And the organising Committee of the Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering is "delighted" that Argyll & Bute Council is doing its bit to help the popular event go ahead.

Last year the event was cancelled due to torrential rain in the days before it took place.

There were fears that drainage problems at the site could put this year's Gathering in jeopardy.

But the committee has welcomed attempts being made to ensure the site is in tip-top condition ahead of the big day- on Sunday, July 17.

Chairman of the Gathering’s organising Committee, Robert MacIntyre said: "Last summer saw some exceptionally prolonged periods of torrential rain and it was to our great disappointment that the Gathering had to be cancelled because the park was saturated and flooded in parts.

"It would have been dangerous to allow anyone access to the field.

"Since then the flooding has been getting worse and the Council has been working to identify the funding needed to carry out the work to fix the drainage on the field.

"This work will benefit not just the Gathering but also other local users of the park such as the local football team which has been finding it increasingly difficult to find a part of the field dry enough to hold their home fixtures.

"The Rosneath & Clynder Community Council has been very supportive in raising this matter at their meetings."

Mr MacIntyre praised the local authority for its support and assistance.

He said: "We are grateful to Argyll & Bute Council for getting the work done now so that any doubts about the future of the Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering can be put to bed once and for all.

"The Committee is working hard to ensure that this year’s Gathering is bigger and better than ever!"

The Gathering will take place on Sunday 17th July 2016 at the Howie Memorial Park, Rosneath.

A spokesman for the organisers said: "Over the 37 years that the Rosneath Gathering has been taking place it has earned an international reputation and now receives entries from athletes, pipers and dancers from around the world.

"We are very proud that our community event is able to welcome not just the local communities but friends from far and wide.

"This year we have competitors coming from as far away as the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany and even Australia as well as from Northern Ireland and England.

"As the colour and excitement of the competitions there is time to relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful setting of the games with stalls to browse, fairground rides and refreshment stands. It really is a fun day out for all the family.

"The Gathering is organised and run by a small group of volunteers and funding is provided by local businesses and organisations. Without their support the Gathering would not take place."

Organisers are delighted to announce that this year’s Chieftain will be Captain Craig Mearns Royal Navy, Captain HMS Neptune, HM Naval Base Clyde.

Further details can be found on the website at www.rosneathgames.co.uk

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council confirmed to The Advertiser that a site inspection took place on Friday to determine the ground conditions.