A new season of Perthshire Highland Games opens this weekend with one of the most spectacular events on the annual calendar the Atholl Gathering and Highland Games.
The two-day extravaganza is the first of 14 events that will see tens of thousands of spectators descend on the region over the next four months.
The summer of tradition and sport begins today with the Atholl Highlanders Parade the annual inspection of Europe’s last remaining private army.
From 2.30pm today, the army will perform on the forecourt of Blair Castle, accompanied by the sound of their magnificent pipes and drums.
on Sunday the attention shifts to the Highland Gathering, though the Atholl Highlanders will once again be heavily involved as they officially open the games with a March On. As the skirl of their pipes and booming of their drums fade, heavyweight strongmen from around Scotland will step forward to take centre stage.
They will battle it out in a series of traditional events including the iconic tossing of the caber, shot putt and hammer throwing.
There will also be plenty of other attractions, including Highland Dancing, tug o’ war, solo piping and track events, together with trade stands, food and drink and fun activities for all the family.
The competitions will be more keenly fought than ever, as the games now play host to four individual leagues for solo piping, Highland dancing, tug o’ war and heavyweights.
The leagues also encourage talented local youths and athletes to participate in the traditional sports and arts.
Recent success stories have been Lorne Colthart, who was runner-up in the Scottish Heavyweight Championship and who broke many championship records during the 2013 season, and piper Connor Sinclair, who now plays with the world pipe band champions.
Once the dust settles on the Blair Atholl events, the attention will shift to the Blackford Games, which take place next Saturday.