To celebrate the 25th birthday of the National Lottery, 173 groups across Scotland have been awarded funding.
They include ten community, sports and arts groups from across the Highlands and Islands, who together share £38,688.
A further 11 groups from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray have also benefited.
Amongst the north groups celebrating is The Ross County Foundation, which was awarded £4,950.
General manager for the foundation, Gordon Duff, said: “We are really excited that, thanks to National Lottery players, we can run our foundation development programme for young children aged between seven and 11.
“It helps to develop physical activity and encourage healthier lifestyle choices from a young age.
“During the course of the next year we expect to engage with more than 1,000 children, including some living in the most rural areas of the Highlands and Islands.”
The 11 groups receiving anniversary funding across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray shared a £92,436 pot.
One of the groups was the Bridge of Don and District Men’s Shed, which received £5,000 for the purchase of new equipment.
The international movement looks to give men an alternative social hub other than the pub, to help deal with issues such as mental health, heavy smoking and alcoholism together.
John Smith of The Bridge of Don and District Men’s Shed, said: “We have been going for about three years and during that time we have been working hard to attract members, find premises and become an established organisation.
“We have now managed to get premises that we hope to be in within the next few weeks.
“This National Lottery award will go a long way to providing much-needed equipment and resources to enable us to grow further and to provide a place where men and women can socialise and work on hobbies and projects.”
Over the past 25 years, National Lottery players have helped raise £3.1 billion for 64,000 causes across Scotland.
A spokeswoman for the National Lottery Awards for All, said: “It is great to see Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and Highlands and Islands groups sharing in the celebrations with projects that will bring local people together to meet new friends, learn new skills and build confidence among people of all ages.”
