North-east youngsters have dominated a national dance competition with performances inspired by subjects as diverse as the moon landing and global warming.
Fraserburgh’s South Park primary won the Scottish J Rock final at the Caird Hall in Dundee on Saturday night.
The children took the top prize after impressing the judges with their Halloween-themed dance routine.
Longside Primary School, St Andrews Primary School in Fraserburgh, Mintlaw Primary School and Ben Wyvis primary from Dingwall were the runners up.
Longside Primary drew inspiration from the 1969 moon landing, St Andrews Primary focused on global warming and Mintlaw Primary’s routine was about mental health.
The Ben Wyvis Primary performance was set in Canada and inspired by the challenges explorer Alexander Mackenzie encountered when he moved from Stornoway as a young man.
The event attracted thousands of budding stars and is organised to promote a lifestyle free of alcohol and drugs through the performing arts.
Rab Middlemiss, area manager for the fire service, was part of the judging panel and praised the work the youngsters put in.
He said: “I thought the show was absolutely fantastic.
“When you look at all the schools, the work that went in and the energy from all the children, they’re performing way beyond their age.
“The scenery was stunning.
“The children learn communication skills, and build up their confidence.
“All in all it’s just absolutely brilliant.”
James Martin, from Highlife Highland, said: “The standard, the costumes, the music, the dancing and the whole commitment of the kids was absolutely unbelievable.
“I think the leadership skills, the confidence they’ve got and everything they brought to the stage was incredible.”
A separate competition for secondary school pupils, named the Rock Challenge, also took place at the Dundee venue over the weekend.
Children from Fraserburgh, Kemnay, Stonehaven, Alness, Dingwall, Montrose, Thurso and Kinross all competed.
Kinross High School secured first place with Thurso High School, Alness Academy and Mackie Academy finishing runners-up at the Scottish Open competition.
Peterhead Academy has already qualified for the Northern Premier Final following the school’s success in 2018 and will be joined by Kinross High School for the grand finale in Grimsby on Saturday, June 29.
