Legal Highs Ban At T In The Park

7 July 2014, 12:59 | Updated: 7 July 2014, 13:45

T in the Park organisers have said revellers caught with "legal highs'' will have them confiscated.

Scotland's biggest music festival has joined a crackdown on the substances which have been linked to dozens of deaths.

DF Concerts, organisers of the event now in its 21st year, said legal or herbal highs will not be permitted on site this weekend.

A statement said: "Selling these substances is prohibited and anyone found with these substances in their possession will have them immediately confiscated.

"It is important that music fans understand that 'legal' does not mean 'safe' and that these substances can cause serious harm especially when mixed with others such as alcohol. The terms 'legal high' and 'herbal high' are often misleading as many of these substances are not meant for human consumption and can kill.''

The Scottish Government announced last month that an expert group is to be set up to look at ways of tackling the sale and supply of so-called ''legal highs''.

They are substances which are produced to give a similar effect to drugs such as Ecstasy and are often labelled and sold as plant food or bath salts, or marked as not fit for human consumption, as a tactic to avoid the law.

Between 2009 and 2012, legal highs were implicated in at least 73 deaths in Scotland.

Balado airfield in Kinross-shire will host T in the Park for the last time this year after safety concerns forced organisers to look for a new site.

About 85,000 revellers are expected to watch performances by Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris and Biffy Clyro from July 11 to 13.

Festival-goers have been reminded to plan their journey ahead of time and pack appropriate clothing, footwear and medication.

Organisers said anyone who looks under 25 may be asked for proof of age when buying alcohol.

Geoff Ellis from DF Concerts said: "It's going to be a really momentous festival weekend. We have an incredible line-up and we'll be saying bye to Balado after 18 years, which means it'll be a finale party to remember.

"However, we want to make sure that everyone comes prepared to enjoy the entire weekend so we recommend that they heed the tips from our partners before setting off.''

T in the Park will next year take place in the grounds of Strathallan Castle in Perthshire.

A deal was struck to shift the festival following health and safety concerns about an underground oil pipeline at the current site.

Festival-goers can log on to www.tinthepark.com/essentials for a festival checklist and essentials guide.