Torrential rain turns T in the Park into mud-fest

T in the Park was turned into a mud bath on Saturday as the music festival was hit by torrential rain.

Though the event had avoided the worst of the wet weather on Friday, overnight rain saturated the whole site, and by midday areas across the site were reduced to a swampy quagmire of liquid mud that sucked at wellies and coated clothing.

An estimated 85,000 are expected to attend the festival near to Balado, near Kinross, over the weekend.

The conditions made traversing the site hazardous, and the onsite medical team yesterday said that it had 271 people visit the hospital tent, 486 presented at first aid and 14 people had to been taken to hospital offsite.

However, Bob MacGregor, head of Onsite Medical Services said: “Everything is running well with the vast majority of medical attention focused on treatment for pre-existing conditions or minor ailments.

He added that for those arriving on the site on Sunday they should bring their medication and wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Among those who were enduring the terrible weather were Kayleigh Stobie, 23, and Kevin Warman, 23, from Edinburgh, who described the conditions as “miserable” as they sheltered under an umbrella.

“We’ve been here before when it’s rained, but this is the worst it’s ever been,” said Warman. “We’ve reached the point where we’re just trying to stay as warm as possible.”

Stobie added: “We were hopeful last night, when the sun came out and dried up the mud. But this morning when we woke up, the place was just a sea of mud.

“We were meant to be meeting up with friends today, but it’s impossible with this weather.”

Despite the rain and mud, both said that they still intended enjoying themselves and would come back again.

“It’s just a bit of mud,” added Stobbie. “It’ll wash off.”

TENT CLOSURE

The extreme weather forced the organisers to close the Slam Tent, which usually hosts dance acts, during the afternoon, after it became flooded by the relentless downpour.

The acts due to appear on there, which included Teengirl Fantasy and Clouds, were shifted to other stages.

Festival director Geoff Ellis said of the decision: “Conditions were a little wet, so we delayed the opening of the Slam Tent to let our team dry things out. We always plan for every eventuality, so we were ready to move the acts to another stage and let fans know that they could still see them elsewhere.”

He said that the tent would open later in the day.

Even inside King Tut’s there was little respite from the mud, as the waterlogged ground struggled to cope with the thousands of people tramping across the site, turning parts of it into little more than muddy puddles.

However, the majority of people had paid attention to the warnings about the weather, and ponchos, water proofs and wellies of all colours and styles.

Some hardy types twinned their wellies and ponchos with hotpants or, in one case, gold lurex leggings, while others made the disastrous decision to go with trainers, shorts and vest t-shirt, or even tiger-stripped one-piece outfits.

No matter what they were wearing, though, everything was rendered two-shades darker through a combination of mud and rain.

Some eventually gave up trying to stave off the elements and instead dived into the mud head-first.

Despite the horrendous conditions, festival-goers were not deterred and maintained something approaching a blitz spirit, happily wading through the mud to see some of the biggest names in music.

The likes of Shed Seven, The Wailers, Stoosh and Dappy took to the open air stages to rapturous applause, while in the surviving tents, Alabama Shakes and Blood Red Shoes performed to packed audiences.

The day will culminate with performances by legendary Manchester band The Stone Roses, who are touring for the first time as a unit since the 1990s.

POLICE

Tayside Police reported a positive start to the event with only four arrests since the campsite opened on Thursday.

Superintendent Rick Dunkerley, the Event Commander said: “We continue to be very pleased with the positive behaviour of the fans and the way in which they are engaging with our officers and the stewards. Once again I would remind everyone that we are there to assist and they shouldn’t hesitate to approach our officers if they require help or advice.”

He warned that drugs in “whatever form” would not be tolerated adding that legal highs should also be avoided as “they can all do great harm, particularly if combined or taken with alcohol.”

Mr Dunkerley said, despite the heavy rain, that there had been “no significant issues” for motorists getting to Balado.