Enthusiasts from all over the country showed off the results of their labours at the Lochaber Model Show in Fort William.
The popular annual event was held for the first time at Lochaber High School outside the town, raising around £1,000 for the local mountain rescue team.
One model-maker decided to create a display with a railway theme on his 80th birthday earlier this month.
Albert Irvine designed a railway crash model, complete with river and embankment, and the intrepid octogenarian finished it all in just three weeks.
Mr Irvine, who lives in Inverurie, said: “The story of the model is that a river bursts its banks causing a train to crash. The branch of a tree blocks a river, but the water is still running and cranes are used to lift the carriages from the scene.
“It is the first time I have made a model with a railway theme and I was determined to finish it in time to take it to the Lochaber show.”
Before he retired, Mr Irvine’s job involved building and maintaining storage tanks for the oil industry.
“I decided to retire when I was 70 and, because a lot of cranes were involved in my work, I thought I would start building models of them.
“The largest one I have created stands more than 14 feet tall, but I am able to dismantle it to store it away.”
Building his railway model was intricate work and Mr Irvine explained that he used the base and pump from an indoor water feature to make the water in his ‘river’ run and bristles from a scrubbing brush were used as reeds.
“I also made a stone circle out of real stones for the stop of a ‘hill’ as there is one just like it at the back of my house.
“My model got a great reception at the Lochaber show and I was delighted that so many people enjoyed looking at it.”
Show organiser, Robert Wilson, 58, from Roy Bridge, said: “It all went very well. We had model-makers from as far away as Barnsley and Strathford upon Avon as well as others from all over Scotland including Wick, Stornoway and the Central Belt.
“The new venue at the high school afforded us much more space and we received very positive comments from people who came along. We also had great support in sponsorship from firms throughout the area which will cover the costs, so we will be able to donate around £1,000 to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.”
