All of the undersigned partners are saddened by the cancellation of Rock Challenge 2020.

We recognise that many hundreds of young people across the Highlands have already started preparing for Rock Challenge 2020 and appreciate the disappointment they will be feeling.

The cancellation of the hire of Eden Court in March 2020 is a major disruption to the Eden Court business. It is too late for us to replace the Rock Challenge dates with other kinds of live performance, and our October 2019 – March 2020 season brochure has been published.

All of the local partners of Rock Challenge have met. We are pleased to announce today that we will collaborate to find a way for all of the young people planning to take part in Rock Challenge to come together at Eden Court on the original dates planned to showcase their talents and participate in some form of competition. We recognise that there will not be the ability to move-on to a national competition but are confident that the combined skills and experience of all partners will enable us to deliver a fantastic prize that excites young people and has a lasting impact on creativity in Highland schools. Whatever emerges to be delivered in the Highlands in March 2020 will bear no connection the Rock Challenge brands.

We are very much in the early stages of agreeing the shape of activity in March 2020. We will, through our partnership and close relationship with the Highland Council, issue information to schools with more information before Thursday 10 October.