The largest event to be held in Perthshire this year has been given a royal seal of approval.
The Queen who today becomes the UKs longest-serving monarch will attend the final day of a major equestrian event in the grounds of Blair Castle on Sunday.
A keen horsewoman, she will be presenting the prizes at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championship 2015.
The announcement of the royal visit is the icing on the cake for an event that will attract worldwide television exposure for Perthshire.
Although not of the same scale as the coverage enjoyed during the Ryder Cup, it will still be seen in millions of homes around the globe.
Running from Thursday to Sunday, tens of thousands of visitors are to descend on Perthshire to watch the event.
Many local accommodation providers are reported to be fully booked throughout the duration of the championship.
Supported by VisitScotland through its event directorate, EventScotland, the competition will see 16 nations compete for the first time in the grounds of the picturesque castle.
The event is also the final opportunity for European entrants to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: “Blair Castle will be a spectacular setting for what promises to be a thrilling competition and another exciting highlight in Scotland’s events calendar.
“With 60,000 people due to attend the event and an audience of millions watching around the world, this is a unique opportunity to showcase Perthshire’s renowned tourism offering.”
Alec Lochore, event director, said: “It is an honour to host the Longines FEI European Eventing Championship at Blair Castle; the team has been building up to this landmark date for many months.
“It will be a privilege to welcome some of the best riders in Europe, who will assemble at Blair Castle to contend for the top honour of individual and team European champions.”
The championship forms part of UK Sport’s major events programme, which is investing around £40 million of National Lottery funding to bring up to 100 world-class events to Great Britain, to help build a strong legacy from London 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Pupils from Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perth, will perform a programme of contemporary and traditional dance at the welcoming ceremony for the championship at Blair Castle this evening.
* You can follow live updates from the Blair Castle event at www.thecourier.co.uk/Blair2015.