The first north-east hospital built under the National Health Service has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a royal visit.
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion for Fraserburgh Hospital.
The facility on Lochpots Road was officially opened by Sydney G Davidson, a Fraserburgh-born surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, on September 27, 1968 costing £372,050.
Currently the hospital serves around 26,500 people, including patients from surrounding GP practices.
The Princess Royal was given a tour of the dementia, stroke and casualty wards before unveiling the new plaque.
She told staff: “You run a successful hospital which started 50 years ago so you should be very proud of what you have maintained here.
“It’s really important with Fraserburgh being where it is that you’re here and congratulations to this community hospital.”
She was given a tour of the facility and met patients while accompanied by staff nurse Linda Watt.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
Ms Watt said: “I showed her around the casualty ward where I work and through the archive photos.
“She seemed to be very impressed and was interested in everything – she was very knowledgeable about the area too.
“We’re very proud of our hospital.”
Dawn Tweedie, a doctor in the area, described Princess Anne as being “easy to talk to”, and added: “We were talking about this being a community hospital and about the community feel as we all work together from the top to the bottom.”
Gardener Jim Kerr, who took on responsibility of tending to the grounds when former gardener Sandy Moynam died, was also at the hospital.
Princess Anne told him the outdoor entrance flowers had “a great amount of colour”.
He said: “We planted over 1,000 flowers this summer.
“I was one of the laborers who helped build the hospital when I first moved to Fraserburgh after I got married.
“Now I think the flowers and gardens help patients.”
NHS Grampian chairman Stephen Logan said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to Fraserburgh Hospital to mark this very special occasion.
“Indeed, it is a double celebration, falling as it does during the National Health Service’s 70th anniversary.”
An open day to celebrate the occasion will be held at the hospital on September 29 from 11am to 3pm.
