THE crowds at Belladrum were in raptures as soon as the familiar guitar riff of Ocean Colour Scene’s The Riverboat Song began late on Saturday night.
The band’s appearance as headliners on the final night was always going to appeal to a family-friendly festival where many attending had grown up during the Britpop era.
They followed up their best-known hit with another old favourite, You’ve Got It Bad, before playing lesser-known songs and previewing material from their new album.
The set on the Garden Stage was brought to a close with spectacular fireworks.
There was something on offer for everyone at Belladrum, and even if you did not like the music there was much to be enjoyed in just watching the crowds at the two-day festival.
A nautical theme led many to don pirate costumes and several fish could be seen wandering the fields. A group of girls even donned silver lycra suits to become mackerel for the day.
Many people brought their children along, even though some did not appear to appreciate their middle-aged parents’ enthusiastic dancing.
Elsewhere there were many moments to be savoured.
Seth Lakeman looked delighted with the reception he received as the final act on the Black Isle Brewery Grassroots stage on Saturday. When the English folk singer returned for one final tune, a bra had been thrown on to the stage in appreciation.
The young members of the Highland Big Band also met with enthusiastic applause in the Venus Flytrap Palais on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier, on Friday night, Editors closed the Garden Stage with a rousing set.
Never has a singer appeared to get as close to his keyboard as frontman Tom Smith did, at times it appeared he was butting the keys.
The crowd merrily jumped along with hits such as Smokers Outside the Hospital Door, Munich and The Racing Rats, and continued all through the three-song encore.