THE architects of the troubled Bannockburn anniversary celebrations are to be quizzed over the organisation of Scotland's showcase year this week.
Holyrood is to hold a fresh hearing over the organising of events for the 700th anniversary of the famous battle near Stirling after the main attraction was scaled back to two public days because of poor ticket sales.
By January just 1000 of the planned 45,000 had been sold, leading to the plans being overhauled and the overall ticket allocation being halved. Control of the main event - two days of celebration at Bannockburn on June 28 and 29 - was shifted from the National Trust for Scotland to tourism body VisitScotland and the budget was slashed from £950,000 to £650,000.
The organisers had to reinstate the original planned third day after a revolt from clan chiefs in Scotland and in the US.
Tens of thousands are expected to descend on the area for the £20-a-ticket Bannockburn Live event that will include performances from Dougie MacLean, Karine Polwart and Rachel Sermanni.
There has also been criticism over the planning of the National Armed Forces Day in Stirling on June 28, and council representatives will be questioned by MSPs on Wednesday.
Evidence will be heard from VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay, homecoming director at event Scotland Caroline Packman and David McAllister, Battle of Bannockburn project director at the NTS.
Pete Irvine, managing director of Unique Events, the Edinburgh Hogmanay firm that is promoting the weekend's events, will also give evidence. Stirling Council deputy leader Neil Benny and Kevin Robertson, head of economy, planning and regulation, will also go before the committee.
Murdo Fraser, convener of the economy, energy and tourism committee, said officials would be asked about when they first knew things were going wrong.
By February ticket sales for the two-day main event had risen by 1,500.
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