The sun shone on Blair Castle at the weekend as Europe’s only private army underwent its annual inspection.
Members of the Atholl Highlanders paraded on the forecourt of the castle on Saturday, watched by their colonel-in-chief.
The 12th Duke of Atholl, Bruce George Ronald Murray, travelled from his home in South Africa for the traditional ceremony, which attracted widespread interest.
The world’s second largest newspaper Asahi Shimbun and French daily newspaper Le Figaro both attended the event alongside Spanish and Japanese media.
Unfortunately, the second day of the Atholl Gathering was marred by wet weather but the rain did not stop crowds gathering to mark the first event in the Perthshire Highland Games calendar.Click here for a full photo galleryLocal heavyweight Lorne Colthart made sure the day got off to a flying start, literally.
Although he is more used to smashing championship records, the 23-year-old flung the historical hammer so hard that he broke the handle.
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This is believed to be the first time this has happened in the history of the games and the hammer, which was made in 1825, had to be taped up so the competition could continue.
The games were formally opened by the Duke of Atholl, Chieftain of the Gathering, who also took the time to present a delighted teenager with a prestigious accolade.
Former Breadalbane Academy pupil Jillian Kennedy received her Duke of Edinburgh Award at the Gathering as she was unable to attend the official ceremony at Holyrood Palace.