A 10-year-old St Andrews girl got quite a shock when she heard her doorbell ring and found herself face to furry face with a giant llama.
Mum Liza Wares had arranged the adventure for daughter Jennifer, who has a passion for the animals.
She said: “Jennifer has always had an obsession with llamas and it was always her dream to play with one.”
Wanting to make her dreams come true, Liza set off on a trail to find one that could make a house call. After a bit of research she found Peter Marshall, who does llama trekking from his base near Edinburgh.
To much amusement the llambitious plan for an early birthday present was hatched. Nico the llama would make a date with his No 1 fan.
“As we wanted it to be a surprise until the very last second, Peter suggested that he arrive at the door with Nico, ring the bell and for Jennifer to answer the door to them.
“Nico arrived around 9am as planned and after her initial shock she was gobsmacked Jennifer got to know him a little in our garden.”
Then the two new best friends decided to go on for a walk around the East Sands as you do.
Jennifer got to walk him around the beach, help him to paddle in the sea and generally enjoy the sand like any day tripper to St Andrews would.
“We were stopped and photographed by nearly everyone we met. Staff came out of the leisure centre to see, dog walkers stopped us and many people asked to take Nico’s picture.
“The staff of the nursery by the beach even asked if we could bring Nico over so the children could say hello. We now have a very happy child who will remember this day for the rest of her life,” said Liza.
The youngster, who now has llama wool as a keepsake of her special day, declared herself “surprised and very happy”.
“I’ve been to Blair Drummond and places to see them, but to be able to stroke Nico and take him for a walk was one of the best days of my life.”