PERTH and Kinross curlers have been left frustrated and angry by news that the eagerly anticipated Grand Match has been frozen out.

Sustained sub-zero temperatures had paved the way for the first all-Scotland bonspiel at Lake of Menteith for 30 years.

But with the emergency services ganging-up to thwart the Royal Caledonian Curling Club’s plans to stage a Grand Match at the frozen lake near Aberfoyle, local curlers fear health and safety red tape has sounded the death knell for one of Scottish sport’s rarest but most colourful traditions.

One veteran said: “It was a massive disappointment. Everyone was geared up for a rare chance to stage a Grand Match. Ironically we had the depth of ice required but nowadays bureaucracy reigns supreme.

“I know the Grand Match committee is trying to be positive but hopes of addressing health and safety issues look forlorn. Five hundred teams were up for it and generations of curlers have been denied an opportunity to take part in one of our great traditions.

“It does seem strange steps hadn’t been taken to ensure the red tape had been sorted out long before now. Why couldn’t participants have signed a disclaimer if they were worried about insurance?”

In the absence of a Grand Match, 16 teams drawn from the 11 clubs within the local Strathmore Province enjoyed a rare bonspiel at Stormont Loch on Sunday.

Volunteers turned out 24 hours earlier to clear nine ice sheets and rather than risk a thaw before the weekend, they hastily hatched plans for the following day.

A spokesman said: “Our last bonspiel at Stormont was in 2002 and this was curlers’ first chance to enjoy curling outdoors. With the ice at least six inches thick, we opted to press ahead with a Sunday bonspiel.”

The Strathmore team won the historic Kettle while Dunsinnan took second place.

Many participants had ben looking forward to the first Grand Match between clubs drawn from the north and south of Scotland since 1979.

Despite the Lake of Menteith having more than seven inches of ice, after a meeting with Central Scotland Police, the Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, Stirling Council and the National Park Authority, hopes of hastily arranging the gathering dissolved, leaving 2500 curlers cursing the verdict.

With emergency services warning they could not guarantee the safety of curlers or thousands of spectators, organisers could not secure insurance cover for the event.

The RCCC said: “Every effort has been made to facilitate this event, but it has been acknowledged public safety must remain the primary concern.

"I understand the police do not want to encourage people to go onto frozen rivers without knowing what they're doing, but curlers have vast experience of ice.”

A Central Scotland police spokesman said: “We understand the attraction of such an event and recognise this is a unique opportunity for people passionate about their sport to participate in.

"However, there are clear and obvious risks and the safety of the public could not be guaranteed."