On Monday we shared details of unauthorised constructions in the Grandtully Rapids. The River Tay remains open for paddling, with paddlers urged to read the news item about safety concerns, due to the installation of several unauthorised structures on the Grandtully rapid.

Even though it is recognised by all concerned that the SCA, as an organisation, had no knowledge of and played no part in the construction of these new structures, the act of constructing these barriers/dams in the river has been determined to be an egregious breach of the terms of the site lease, which has consequently been terminated with immediate effect.

The lease had allowed the installation and use of slalom infrastructure. With the lease no longer in place, it is not permitted to use the slalom gates. The bearers, gates and stanchions are required to be taken down as soon as possible as their use is now prohibited. The dismantling and storing of equipment will take place shortly. Notices will be posted on site on informing everyone of the situation and what is permitted.

As is being announced by the British Canoeing Slalom Committee, regrettably, the two slalom events planned at the end of August, one of which had been approved to take place, cannot now go ahead.

Aside from the lease arrangements, the multiple unauthorised structures are required to be removed from the site in a controlled and managed way. Discussions on how and when this can be achieved are ongoing, with several agencies including Police Scotland, NatureScot, SEPA and Perth & Kinross Council involved.

The SCA deeply regrets the end of the historic lease and the consequent loss of use of the permanently available slalom infrastructure that it had enabled over many years. The termination of the lease has resulted from recent actions, which were outwith the SCA’s knowledge or control. The SCA continues to engage with the landowner in discussions regarding the future use of the site to support slalom training, camps and competitions.