A primary school has banned children from playing 'tig' after the head teacher told parents the game was so 'rough' there was 'a level of concern' about it.
Bearsden Primary School, in Dunbartonshire, has outlawed the popular, classic game for pupils in Primary 4 to 7.
But Primary 1 to 3 children are still allowed to play the game – which is also known as 'tag' and 'it' – at playtime and lunchtime.
The Scottish Conservatives labelled the development 'absurd'.
A letter sent out to parents said: 'I am writing to clarify information that I shared with children during the P4 - P7 assembly on Monday 2 November.
'I advised children in P4 - P7 that they should not play tig for the next 2/3 weeks. I explained that this was because there has been a lot of rough play in tig and children have been hurt. I further explained that we will work with them to agree rules for safe play, with kind hands and feet.
'I did not discuss tig at the P1 - P3 assembly because there is not the same level of concern.
'As Head Teacher of the school, I am responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children. Everyone has the right to have a happy playtime.'
The head teacher of Bearsden Primary School deemed the game of tig 'too rough'
Bearsden Primary pupils from P4 to P7 have been banned from playing the classic game
One disgruntled parent said: 'I think it's a bit of a farce.
'I realise they've said that some children have been hurt because of it, and that kids may have been too rough when playing.
'But some kids are going to be too rough no matter what they're doing or playing.
'It doesn't make sense to me to ban a whole game because of the actions of a few.
'There were plenty of children playing it who weren't taking it too far, and now they're being punished for the actions of the few.
'It's not fair. Address the behaviour and deal with it, by all means, but don't ban a game for everyone, especially the ones who haven't done anything wrong.'
Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher MSP said: 'It is absurd that children are being told they cannot play a simple playground game.
'It seems we have reached a point under the SNP's control of Scottish education where headteachers are having to ban games and stopping children having fun at playtime, rather than dealing with real issues in their schools.'
The game has been played for centuries – including as far back as the fourth century BC – although the exact origin of it is unknown.
Erinna, an ancient Greek poet, referred to the game in her poem The Distaff.
It spoke of a 'tortoise' chasing other kids and that, when tigged, that child became the new 'tortoise'.
Greg Bremner, Chief Education Officer at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: 'Children in primaries 4-7 at Bearsden Primary School have been advised that over the next few weeks they should not play tig at playtime as children have been hurt as a result of rough play.
'Over the next two to three weeks teachers will work with pupils to agree rules for the game that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children during playtime.
'The headteacher has written to all parents to inform them of this course of action as the health and safety of all pupils is a priority in all our schools.'
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