RockNess revellers encouraged to come prepared

FESTIVAL goers gearing up for the Highland’s monster festival are being warned to come prepared and stay safe.

Gathering at the Loch Ness site today, representatives from the multi agency partnership which includes Northern Constabulary and Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, encouraged revellers attending the seventh RockNess to have a good time - but to think about the consequences of their actions.

Stevie MacKay, chief superintendent with Northern Constabulary said the levels of crime are relatively low at RockNess, but warned a pro-active policing approach will be taken.

He said: "As with previous years we will be taking a robust and pro-active stance against drugs at the festival.

"We will also be looking to stem the supply of drugs prior to the event also to ensure festival goers are as safe as possible. the message is clear from previous years in that if you bring drugs you’re likely to get caught and not only will you miss the whole weekend you’ll face criminal charges, so don’t risk it."

He added: "Alcohol should also be taken responsibly. There’s no point saving for months for this event and ruining it all by getting so drunk you miss the event or face ejection because alcohol has impaired your judgement and you engage in behaviour which is likely to land you in trouble."

Meanwhile festival goers are being encouraged to act sensibly and to come prepared to avoid ending up at hospital at any point during the weekend.

Iain MacKay, Resilience Advisor for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "We saw a reduction in the number of people who required to be taken to hospital at the 2011 event and we hope to see that trend continue this year.

"Simple things such as making your friends aware of medication that you are taking, making sure you have enough to last the weekend, taking enough sunscreen to last the weekend, and keeping hydrated, whether it is sunny or not, will help you stay healthy at RockNess 2012.

"As usual we can never predict what the Scottish weather will throw at us, but given that conditions have been less than summery of late we would encourage people to bring plenty of warm and waterproof clothing in the event of rain or cold."

And Deborah Stewart, who is Coordinator for the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said festival goers should remember to drink plenty of water, to eat well and to avoid taking unnecessary risks when it comes to alcohol and drugs.

She said: "We want people attending RockNess to enjoy themselves but we also want to help them do so safely. It’s easy to get carried away by the atmosphere. However, if you overindulge in alcohol you could end up in the field hospital and miss the event altogether, which is not only disappointing but costly.

"It’s important to eat before you start drinking and while you’re drinking and to pace yourself by drinking soft drink spacers, particularly water, to keep you hydrated.

"Stay with friends and make sure you keep yourselves safe. It’s also important to keep warm as you don’t notice how cold you get when you’ve been drinking."