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World Stone Skimming Championships under threat after row
The World Stone Skimming Championships, held each year on a Scottish island, are under threat due to a row between the organisers and the landowner.
Jonathan Feigenbaum, who owns the disused quarry on Easdale where the event takes place, wants to charge a land use fee for the first time in its 15-year history.
He has threatened legal action against the Eilean Eisdeal Community Trust, which organises the event, if they try to press ahead with this weekend’s event.
The organisers are also being asked to produce public liability insurance, which protects against damages claims from participants or spectators who are injured in the championships.
However, the trust has insisted that the event, which usually attracts hundreds of people, will go ahead as planned.
In an open letter to island residents, published on a local website, Mr Feigenbaum said: “It was with a heavy heart but as you can see I had no real choice to make it clear to Eilean Eisdeal and its directors that permission to use any company land or asset has been refused for any organisation, individual or group of individuals, for the purpose of conducting any stone skimming or indeed any event.
“Should it be that the event does indeed take place and unauthorised use is made of Easdale Island Company Limited land or assets then those responsible will face the legal consequences of such conduct.”
But the trust confirmed it has refused to pay the “excessive” fee, thought to be around £1,000, and had declined the request for public liability insurance.
Donald Melville, one of the organisers, told BBC Scotland: “We have held the event for 15 consecutive years in the quarry with the island owner's permission.
“I think it is a big disappointment. We have run the thing properly and professionally. We get a proper health and safety assessment done and stick to the recommendations in that.
“People come along and have a fantastic day. It is good fun and it just seems a shame that we are going to have £1,000 less, possibly, to put into community run events on the island.”