Security will be stepped up to protect a festive lighting display at an Inverness beauty spot this year.
But organisers warned that a repeat of vandalism which marred the light show at Ness Islands last year will jeopardise future events.
The Ness Islands show, part of the Inverness Winter Festival, attracted more than 10,000 visitors last year.
But it had to be closed early because vandals damaged several of the colourful displays.
This year the lights will be on show for just one weekend, as a result of last year’s incident.
No one was arrested in connection with the offence.
Speaking at the launch of the festival yesterday, Councillor Glynis Sinclair, who was a driving force behind the reintroduction of the Ness Island displays, said: “We are stepping up security on the islands, without the need for CCTV.”
She added: “But, if vandals get in and wreck it again, there will not be a Ness Islands event at Christmas again.
“That is the bottom line. We can’t keep doing it for people to go in and wreck it.”
During the event, from December 18 to 20, Ness Islands will be shut to the public between 11pm and 6am.
Meanwhile this year’s festival has an early start on Halloween, when the Ness Islands will again be the focus for a spooky event, the Giant Ghost of Blackbeard the Pirate.
The annual switching on of the Christmas Lights will take place on Sunday, November 22.
Other events will include the introduction of a Christmas market selling Highland crafts, which will be held on Castle Road on December 12 and 13. The riverside road will be closed for the duration of the market.
The climax of the festival will come with the Hogmanay party at the Northern Meeting Park, where the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Blazin’ Fiddles will perform.
The Peatbog Faeries will see in the New Year at midnight.
The bands were booked at the start of the year. A survey after last year’s party revealed that the public wanted a more traditional feel.
Councillor Roy Pedersen, chairman of the organising committee, said: “The survey was very positive, bearing in mind the short time we have to plan it. But there were points for refocus.”
He added that the festival was currently under its budget of £250,000, provided by the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Last year’s festival was overspent by £35,000, with much of the additional money swallowed by up the Hogmanay street party, which featured a fireworks display and a gig by American group The Magic Numbers.