Traditional singers from across Scotland will descend on the north-east next month to celebrate the country’s musical heritage.
The Rotary Club of Elgin will host the 34th annual Bothy Ballads competition in the town on Saturday, February 13.
Entrants are fine-tuning performances of Doric ballads for the contest, which is designed to celebrate the rural history of the north-east.
The competition will feature six finalists who have all emerged victorious at qualifying events.
Reigning champion Hector Riddell, from Finzean, will return to the stage at Elgin Town Hall to defend his crown.
The bulk of the traditional balladeers vying to topple Mr Riddell this year also hail from the north-east.
They include Turriff finalist Moira Stewart, Alford’s Allan Taylor, Shona Donaldson from Tarland and Denis Shepherd of Aberdeen.
The competitor venturing furthest to take part will be Pat Newman, from Cortachy in Angus.
The competition will be judged by Tom and Maggie Spiers, from Crudie near Turriff.
Keith and Cullen councillor Gary Coull will act as compere for the festivities.
Mr Coull said: “I’m a great supporter of traditional song, but unfortunately I can’t sing myself so I enjoy the compering side of it instead.
“The standard of the singing is always so high that anybody coming along will really enjoy themselves.
“It is a competition at the end of the day, but the acts all provide entertainment too.”
Mr Coull has backed the contest for several years, and last emceed it in 2013.
He added: “This is a huge event for Moray and the north-east, as people come from all over Scotland to see it.”
More than 700 people watched Mr Riddell emerge victorious during the vocal showcase last year.
He took top prize thanks to his rendition of Sleepytoon, a look back at the hard working life of staff on the Sleepytoon farm in the 19th century.
Mr Riddell said he hoped the success of the yearly institution could kindle an interest in Doric among north-east youngsters.
He added: “This competition captures the way that farm workers amused themselves in really hard times.”
Tickets are still available from Elgin Library, but organisers say they are selling fast.