Glamis Castle burst into life with the skirl of the bagpipes and the roar of Highland heavies.
The Queen’s childhood home provided the stunning setting for a battle of the finest athletes on the Highland Games circuit.
The gathering was particularly poignant after the recent death of the 18th Earl of Strathmore who served as chieftain for many years.
Simon Patrick Bowes Lyon succeeded his father Michael upon his death in February and was taking up the role of chieftain for the first time as the 19th Earl of Strathmore.
Charlie Murray, president of the Scottish Highland Games Association, said: “The late 18th Earl of Strathmore was a passionate advocate of highland games and of maintaining their traditions.
“He made a significant contribution to the development of the Strathmore Highland Games by providing the grounds of Glamis Castle as the event’s location since 2001, a site at which it has flourished.
“There is a poignancy about this year’s Strathmore Games as it marks the end of one era and beginning of another, as it is the first overseen by the 19th Earl of Strathmore as chieftain.
“With it will come an injection of fresh energy.
“This is something that is crucial to the continuation of games right around Scotland, with organising committees always seeking younger voices to assist with the running of highland games.”
The games included traditional heavyweight events such as the shot putt, the hammer and tossing the caber, which was cut on Glamis Estate.
There was also solo piping, a pipe band competition, highland dancing, running and cycling on the track and the British Tug of War Championship.
Mr Murray, who is from Forfar, said: “The Strathmore Highland Games has grown consistently over the last 40 years.
“It illustrates that there is a strong appetite for attending and participating in highland games and the importance of upholding their traditions.
“To ensure the future of highland games it is vital that we continually inspire the next generation to participate in these important community events.
“The junior highland games initiatives, which are organised in partnership with Active Schools, are central to achieving this, as was demonstrated this week at Strathmore so successfully.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0GEjy0C49E%27
