MUSIC festivals, book events, football matches – events across Scotland were cancelled one after the other yesterday as the coronavirus crisis deepened.

As many as 70,000 people had been expected to watch acts including

Biffy Clyro (pictured), Calvin Harris and Harry Styles as BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival hit Dundee in May. But two months away from the Camperdown Park weekender, it is among the events to have been called off in light of advice from the Scottish Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Thursday that events involving 500 or more people would be banned from Monday due to the risk of transmission of Covid-19.

The BBC said: “It is important that we prioritise the health and safety of all those involved.”

A statement added: “While we know fans looking forward to purchasing tickets will be disappointed, it is important that we prioritise the health and safety of all those involved.”

Celebrations for the Hindu festival Holi which had been due to take place in the city tomorrow have also been cancelled, while Glasgow book festival Aye Write! on was called off on what should have been the second day of its run.

Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo, TV food star Prue Leith and political journalist Andrew Marr were among those set to take the stage at the event, which is run by Glasgow Life, the city council’s leisure and culture arm.

But yesterday organisers issued an urgent message to audiences, pulling the programme in a decision made hours before a scheduled tribute to the late arts giant Alasdair Gray and a session by anti-Brexit campaigners Led by Donkeys.

The decision is a major blow to the event, which should have been celebrating its 15th year, and comes after the successful staging of its

Wee Write strand for families and younger readers.

In a statement, the Aye Write! team said: “In the last 24 hours it has become clear we can no longer deliver anything like the festival we had promised and in the interests of our audience, authors, publishers, volunteers and staff we have taken the decision not to carry on with this year’s festival at this time. We are considering potential options for running some of the programme in the future and will contact ticket holders directly as soon as possible.”

The SPFL also announced the postponement of all fixtures from yesterday, with tomorrow’s Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox among those affected.

In addition, the Wales versus Scotland Six Nations game in Cardiff on Saturday has been postponed.

The Irish Consulate in Edinburgh announced it will not go ahead with one of the capital’s biggest St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The Assembly Rooms event was to take place on March 17.

The Country to Country music event due to take place in Glasgow this weekend has also been axed. Several acts had been due perform at the Hydro venue and promoters said: “Due to the global pandemic of Covid-19 and the changing nature of travel policies in other countries alongside possible extended future restrictions, it is with regret that Country to Country Festival 2020 – London, Dublin and Glasgow – is being postponed.

“Ticket holders are advised to hold on to their tickets. More information will be announced in the coming days on the rescheduled event. Thank you all for your understanding and patience at this very difficult time.

Rockers The Who have already told fans they were putting off a scheduled date with “much regret”.

In a statement, the band said the March 23 gig would be rescheduled for later in the year and all tickets will be honoured, adding: “The fans’ safety is paramount and given the developing coronavirus concerns, the band felt that they had no option but to postpone the shows as a precaution.”

And this month’s Scottish Golf Show, which was booked for the neighbouring SEC venue, will no longer go ahead. The three-day event has been put off until next year.

More cancellations are expected in the coming days as the outbreak continues.