Code of Conduct

Each member of the board and any participating vendor or artist is obligated to sign this Code of Conduct each festival year.


1) Code of Conduct Policy

1.1 This Code of Conduct Policy addresses the Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games (Festival) commitment to a safe and respectful workplace and Festival environment.

1.2 Accordingly, all Festival volunteers, agents, games representatives, businesses, suppliers, distributors, consultants, and associations or anyone else doing business for or associated with the Festival’s name must comply fully with this Policy.

2) Definitions

2.1 Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games – otherwise known as the “Festival” herein.

2.2 Festival Representative – Is defined herein as any volunteer (including Board Members), employee(s), consultant, contractor and or subcontractor associated with or working for the Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

2.3 Vendors - Are defined herein as any contractor, supplier, retail operator, or food vendor(caterer), providing any service or concessions at the Kincardine Scottish Festival in person, on-site/remotely, virtually/online. This extends to any Vendor employees, representatives, associates and/or members of the Public who claim to represent or act on behalf of any Vendor in any capacity.

2.4 Games Representative – These are defined as any representative organising, competing, officiating, participating and or representing any organisation competing, officiating, and or performing at the Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

2.5 Band Representative (and PPBSO) – These are defined as any representative organising, competing, officiating, participating and or performing at the Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

2.6 Member of the Public – This is defined as any persons actions online and or attending the Festival and or Games from the general public, which includes family members of those competing and or participating in the Kincardine Festival & Highland Games.

2.7 Parties – This is defined as all Representatives and Member(s) of the Public collectively.

3) Purpose
The purpose of this Policy is to:

3.1 Set out the responsibilities of all Parties and those associated with them in observing and upholding the Festival’s Code of Conduct.

3.2 Emphasise the Festival’s zero tolerance of abuse and or harassment of any kind, whether it be in person, in writing, or virtually/online at any time and for any reason, including any Member of the Public promoting, posting or reposting any hate speech, threats, or misinformation about the Festival’s volunteers, actions, or Festival operations.

3.3 Emphasise the Festival’s zero tolerance of bribery and corruption, with any breach of the Festival’s Policy which (if applicable) may result in employee disciplinary action and/or notifying the authorities.

3.4 Emphasise the Festival’s promotion and expectations of professional and ethical behaviour from all parties.

4) Code of Conduct - Behaviour

4.1 This Policy covers members of the Public engaging in all Festival volunteers, agents, representatives, business partners, suppliers, distributors, consultants, contractors, vendors and anyone else doing business with for or associated with the Festival name and collectively the Parties. 

4.2 The Parties are responsible for conducting themselves and holding themselves accountable to the highest standards of business conduct, ethics and must ensure all interactions with fellow Representatives, Vendors, and Games Representatives and members of the Public are conducted with the highest level of professionalism, dignity, and respect at all times.

4.3 All parties are to conduct themselves respectfully, truthfully, and professionally in a manner that does not harm and/or interfere with the lawful operation of the Festival.

4.4 All Representatives are responsible for conducting themselves respectfully by this Code of Conduct whether on or off the Festival premises and throughout the scheduled dates of the Festival weekend.

4.5 All parties agree not to disclose or release any Festival documentation correspondence verbally or in writing whether solicited or unsolicited, in person or online without the prior written approval of the Kincardine Scottish Festival Board.

4.6 Any breach of this Policy may constitute a disciplinary, contractual and even criminal prosecution for the individual or individuals concerned and may cause serious damage to the reputation and standing of the Festival, its representatives, and the local community.

4.7 The Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games has established principles to ensure that, at all times, working conditions in its operation and the operations of others are conducted safely and professionally, workers and volunteers are treated with dignity and respect, and that all Parties' operations and interactions (including those with the Public)are conducted in a respectful, lawful, ethical, and when applicable environmentally-conscious way.

4.8 Any of the parties listed in this Code of Conduct conducting or participating in any business outside of the park gates do so at their own risk and liability. The Festival is not responsible or liable for any festival representative or Public member participating in or operating in any activities outside of the park gates. This includes any damages to person(s), property or self, whether on public or private property. All Representatives agree that the Festival will be held harmless from any liability associated with any person(s) behaviour and/or conduct and/or any damages to person(s) and/or property outside of the park gates.

4.9 All Parties are expected to acknowledge and agree to act in alignment with this Code of Conduct by:

4.9.1 Ensuring all Parties and those associated with them or representing them in any capacity are familiar with this Code of Conduct, act consistently with it, and do not contribute to its breach by any of the Parties or their representatives.

4.9.2 As applicable, ensure their business operations comply with the laws, statutes and regulations of each jurisdiction in which they operate.

4.9.3 Committing to the ethical and responsible treatment of all individuals, including with respect to workplace health and safety, employment standards, labour regulation, compensation, non-discrimination, harassment, bullying and human rights.

4.9.4 The Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games is proud to promote and uphold a commitment to an inclusive and diverse festival and work environment.

4.9.5 Conducting business in an environmentally responsible way.

4.9.6 Ensuring that their sourcing of goods and services in no way directly or indirectly results in non-compliance with this Code of Conduct and that their own Vendors and Sub-Contractors conduct business in compliance with all applicable laws and consistently with this Code of Conduct.

5) Zero Tolerance Abuse, Harassment and Bullying

5.1 The Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games is a volunteer-run festival and has a zero tolerance of abuse, harassment and or bullying of any kind made towards any individual, Festival, Games or Band Representative.

5.2 The Festival expects all Parties to comply with and enforce this Policy. All Parties are to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the welfare of others and to report any forms of abuse and or harassment to the Event Management Office or the local authorities if appropriate.

5.3 The Kincardine Scottish Festival considers harassment to include all forms of unwelcome verbal, physical and visual conduct and displays which interfere with performance and/or create an offensive or hostile environment, whether in person or online (on social media)or on the internet.

5.4 Harassment can take many forms. The following are some examples that may constitute harassment: verbal harassment such as jokes, epithets, slurs and unwelcome remarks, derogatory comments, discussions of or harassing remarks, posting harmful or false information on social media sites or the internet, or repeated unwanted communications via text, messaging, computer, or email.

5.5 Any person(s) or social media communities posting or hosting and facilitating the posting of false information on its site which is in breach of this Policy may be reported to the relevant authorities and may be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal recourse.

5.6 To maintain the integrity of information dissemination and foster a trustworthy environment, any individual or entity found disseminating fake news, misinformation, or false information shall be subject to immediate banishment from participating in any future games.

5.7 Should a person or group's conduct contravene this policy in any way, the individual including the group and or association they represent may be expelled from participation and or competition a the Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games without payment and or compensation. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure all participants and attendees uphold this policy.

6) Review of Procedures

6.1 All Festival Representatives are expected to attend all meetings, whether in public or private, with a clear mind and sound judgment. Therefore, no Festival Representative shall attend any meetings while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

6.2 Any Festival Representative suspected of attending a meeting while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be removed from the meeting without notice. Immediately following their removal, the remaining representatives will vote on whether or not to censure. A censure may be imposed immediately by motion and vote of the remaining Festival Representatives. If censure is agreed upon, the removed representative may face caution or dismissal as agreed by the remaining members.

7) Commitment

7.1 Festival Representatives and those working for or on behalf of the Festival are encouraged to contact any Board Member with any suggestions, comments or feedback that they may have on how these procedures may be improved.

7.2 The Festival reserves the right to amend and update this Policy as required. Any breach may result in disciplinary action being taken, up to and including dismissal.

8 Commitment

8.1 This Policy will be communicated to all representatives to confirm the Festival's commitment to meeting all relevant requirements. It will be reviewed following changes to legislation and/or identification of risks. In all other cases, it will be reviewed annually.

9 Non-Disclosure & Confidentiality

9.1 Each Festival Representative (including Board Members) agrees not to discuss or disclose, directly or indirectly, any information concerning the organization, its operations, finances, strategies, members, or any other sensitive information obtained during the course of their service in front of any other person(s) who are not members of the Board and who have not signed this Code of Conduct. This obligation of confidentiality and non disclosure shall survive the termination of the Festival Representative’s service and shall remain binding indefinitely. Any breach of this Non-Disclosure & Confidentiality may result in the Festival Representatives' removal from the Board, dismissal from their role, or both.

‍If you are involved in this year's festival you are obligated to submit a signed copy of this form to the board representatives via kinscotfest@bmts.com