The pulling power of the Braemar Gathering shows no sign of diminishing, with another huge crowd making its way through the Deeside hills for the finale of the Highland games season.
An estimated 14,000 filled the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park at the weekend for a feast of music, dance and sport.
The Braemar Gathering would not be the occasion it is without a royal presence – and the biggest cheer of the day greeted the special guests from Balmoral when they arrived in the arena shortly after 3pm on Saturday.
The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Rothesay, and the Princess Royal and her husband, Tim Lawrence, took their seats in the heather-clad pavilion to warm applause.
A notable absentee was the Duchess of Rothesay, who has been a regular at the games in recent years.
It is understood Camilla had another engagement.
Those expecting to see the prime minister on his first visit to Braemar were disappointed. David Cameron is still on paternity leave following the birth of his daughter.
The Queen was presented with a posy of white heather by Marie Marsden, 12, of Balmoral, while the Princess Royal received a posy from Ailsa Lawrence, 11, of Tomrichton, Braemar.
Marie said: “I was really excited and nervous. The Queen asked me if I had won any medals.”
The royal party clearly enjoyed the afternoon of competition, with the Queen and Prince Charles smiling broadly during some of the more keenly-contested events.
Games secretary William Meston said he was delighted by another successful day.
He added: “We’ve had good weather and another large attendance so I’m well satisfied with things.”
Mr Meston said there had been no changes to the format of the event, adding: “We have a very successful formula so we don’t see the need to alter it.”
The overseas visitors tent was again one of the most popular parts of the arena.
Joyce Wallace, 73, of Vancouver, Canada, was visiting Braemar for the first time.
She said: “There is a group of us touring Scotland and its castles but we felt we just had to come here. It’s a really amazing atmosphere. I didn’t know what to expect but I’m glad we decided to visit the games.”
Sisters Katie Van Den Brand, 28, and Jodie Waller, 30, from Western Australia, were impressed by the friendly welcome.
Jodie, from Rockingham, said “We don’t have anything like this back home so it’s great to experience something like a Highland games.
“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and there’s such a friendly atmosphere,” added Jodie.
The royals stayed for more than a hour and were led from the arena by the pipes and drums of the massed bands, signalling another successful Braemar gathering was drawing to a close.
Earlier in the day, one of Braemar’s smallest cabers broke during competition. The caber split on landing – a rare occurrence at the games.
Officials said no one had been in any danger from the incident.